Faculty/Staff

Jeffrey Vinik

Courtesy Professor, USF Muma College of Business and USF Honors College

Business leader and philanthropist Jeff Vinik is the owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning as well as Tampa Bay Sports and Entertainment, LLC, which operates Amalie Arena. In partnership with Cascade Investment, LLC, Vinik is developing 50 acres in downtown Tampa as a connected, urban multi-use project along the waterfront, with total investment exceeding $2 billion.

During the early stage of his career, Vinik managed the Fidelity Magellan Fund, averaging 17 percent annual returns. After leaving Fidelity, he founded the Vinik Asset Management hedge fund. In 2000, Vinik decided to focus on managing his own portfolio and, ten years later, he purchased the Tampa Bay Lightning. He envisioned an NHL experience like none other, one that focused on fans as much as the team – and recognized the importance of building the Tampa Bay community.