TAMPA, Fla. – Amalie Oil Co. has entered into a long-term partnership with the Tampa Bay Sports and Entertainment LLC, giving the global manufacturer of motor oils and industrial lubricants naming rights to the 19,204-seat arena in downtown Tampa. Home to the Tampa Bay Lightning and Tampa Bay Storm and host of more than 100 events per year, the arena will be renamed “Amalie Arena,” effective immediately.
“We have been inspired by Jeff Vinik in the way he does well in business and how he does well by the community,” said Harry Barkett, Amalie Oil Company president and CEO and one of the four Barkett brothers who own and operate the company. “We like how those two ideals can work together and we share those values.
“As a local and family owned business, our goal is to invest right back into the community that has offered our family and our employees a good life and we liken the association with sports, fun, family and leisure time. Amalie Arena is also right in the heart of the Channelside District and that makes it just about the perfect sponsorship. We are very excited about it," continued Barkett.
Founded in 1903, Amalie Oil Co. has been located on 29 acres in the Port of Tampa since 1977, employing 250 local residents, supplying motor oil and industrial lubricants to international oil companies, automotive retailers, distributors, mass merchandisers and private label customers in 50 states and more than 100 countries.
“I am pleased that the Barkett family has chosen to partner with our organization in displaying the good name of its local, family owned company on our facility,” said Vinik upon making the announcement. “Like Tampa Bay Sports and Entertainment, the Barkett family and Amalie Oil are heavily vested in our community, providing jobs and stimulating economic activity. The brothers share our vision and values, and we look forward to a long and healthy partnership working together to achieve business and community objectives.”
Amalie is involved in the motorsports industry and it has held the naming rights to the arena football field for the Tampa Bay Storm since 2011. The arena naming rights partnership precedes future plans for a greater focus on the Amalie brand along with increased retail and distribution channels.
