Tampa Bay Sports to open store at Tampa International Airport

Local Tampa Bay sports fans and travelers to the area will soon have a place to shop the latest sports merchandise.
 
Tampa Bay Sports & Entertainment, the parent company of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Tampa Bay Storm, has partnered with Tampa-based airport retailer Stellar Partners to open a retail location inside Tampa International Airport next spring.
 
The 1,000-square-foot store will be located in the landside terminal near Starbucks. It will offer the latest licensed merchandise from every local sports team, including the Tampa Bay Lightning, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Rays, USF Bulls, Florida Gators and Florida State Seminoles, as well as large-scale sporting events that take place in the region, like the Frozen Four and Women’s Final Four.
 
“We are excited to offer this new retail location not only for the fans of our home teams but also for our out of town visitors as they come in to cheer on their favorite teams in championship events hosted in Tampa Bay,” says Tampa Bay Sports & Entertainment CEO Steve Griggs.
 
He says the store will bring visitors closer to the game than they’ve ever been before with video screens showing highlights, games and other content; appearances by trophies, athletes and other sports personalities throughout the year; and virtual reality experiences, like tours of the area’s sports venues and events.
 
“The interactive aspect of the store with its video walls and virtual reality experiences will make it a unique retail experience,” says Susan Stackhouse, President and CEO of Stellar Partners.
 
“For travelers, Tampa Bay Sports provides a ‘sense of place,’ providing visitors a glimpse into one of the things that makes Tampa Bay unique,” she says.
 
The airport location will join Tampa Bay Sports’ brick and mortar store at Amalie Arena and its online store.