Question: Why is Tampa Bay called the "Lightning"?

Hello, I'm going around every team's board asking a simple question: why does your team have the name it has?

I've already hit the Central Division teams with some excellent results. Check it out, great history lessons.

I'd like anyone who knows the history behind Tampa Bay's team name to share their knowledge.

Team names usually have a very special tie to the region/cities they represent.

Any tid bit of knowledge will do: the circumstances surrounding the naming of your team, choice of logo and team colours, how the name represents your region/city's history, people, and culture, etc...

This is the place for Bolts Fans to let everyone know what is so "Tampa Bay" about the name "Lightning" !

The interstate highway (I-4) that runs between Tampa and Daytona Beach is known as the I-4 corridor. This is also I believe the most lightning active area in the world. In keeping with a local flavor, I think this is why the team is called the Lightning.

Phil Esposito described how he got the name in his book.

He was at one of his partner's houses in Tampa in the summer when a thunderstorm hit. His partner's mother suggested the name be Lightning. The team did a "name the team" contest but the name was decided on before the contest.

Temple Terrace, which is a suburb of Tampa, is "The Lightning Capital of the World."

-Pete Choquette

Phil Esposito also drew up the logo on a napkin and chose the colors apparently, if I remember correctly.

I think technically Tampa Bay is only the lightning capital of North America, not the world, but we've always referred to ourselves as the latter out of habit.

Technically, Rwanda is the lightning capital of the world, but Florida -- and the Tampa Bay area in particular -- gets more lightning than any other place in North America.

Espo drew the logo on a cocktail napkin one night and it stuck.

Technically, Rwanda is the lightning capital of the world, but Florida -- and the Tampa Bay area in particular -- gets more lightning than any other place in North America.
Yep. And if you've ever been down in Tampa when there's a REAL good one going on, you'll never again question why the team is called the Lightning. ;)

Espo drew the logo on a cocktail napkin one night and it stuck.
and some would say: "it shows"
:bolts

I've grown up and lived in Tampa almost all my life until now and the thunderstorms still scare me to death sometimes with some of the insanely close lightning strikes we've had to our house.

Technically, Rwanda is the lightning capital of the world, but Florida -- and the Tampa Bay area in particular -- gets more lightning than any other place in North America.

Espo drew the logo on a cocktail napkin one night and it stuck.

Where did you get that tid-bit? I was in Rwanda 3 years, never really noticed that much lightning...

I think Lightning is a cool name for a team, especially the way your team plays, it's very fitting (Habs fan here, so you know what I mean).

Where did you get that tid-bit? I was in Rwanda 3 years, never really noticed that much lightning...



It could have been the time you where there. For example if you come to Tampa from December till May you wont see many thunderstorms but if you come June-September you will see why our team is called the Lightning, its pretty much guarnteed that there will be a thunderstorm in the afternoon during those months.

It could have been the time you where there. For example if you come to Tampa from December till May you wont see many thunderstorms but if you come June-September you will see why our team is called the Lightning, its pretty much guarnteed that there will be a thunderstorm in the afternoon during those months.
i was there for 3 years, year-round.

It could have been the time you where there. For example if you come to Tampa from December till May you wont see many thunderstorms but if you come June-September you will see why our team is called the Lightning, its pretty much guarnteed that there will be a thunderstorm in the afternoon during those months.

Dude... he's talking about Rwanda, not Tampa.

Thats why I said "For example"

Where did you get that tid-bit? I was in Rwanda 3 years, never really noticed that much lightning...

I think Lightning is a cool name for a team, especially the way your team plays, it's very fitting (Habs fan here, so you know what I mean).
What was Rwanda's team named ?

What was Rwanda's team named ?

I'm not sure. Something like The Slush Muckers, I think.

I read it in the local newspaper a few years ago, in a story about how Tampa is commonly misidentified as "the lightning capital of the world," when in fact it's only the capital of North America. Maybe the story was wrong, but I'm positive it said Rwanda.

The Tampa Bay area is 2nd in the world for lightning strikes. Shrelanka (sp) I believe is first in the world.

Hooray for Google...

Click here (http://www.floridadisaster.org/HWA/lightning.htm)