In episode 100 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett Greco sits down with Jeff Vinik, a pivotal figure in Tampa’s transformation. Former majority owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning and the visionary behind the Water Street Tampa development, Vinik has played a monumental role in shaping the city’s future.
In this conversation, Jeff talks about the challenges of building Water Street Tampa, why it required close coordination with local government, and the lessons learned along the way. He explains how his decisions have impacted Tampa’s growth, shares stories from his time with the Lightning, and discusses how the city could look decades from now. If you’re curious about the work that goes into reshaping a city and the people behind it, this episode offers valuable insights.
0:00:00 - Intro
0:04:15 - Buying the Tampa Bay Lightning
0:23:40 - Developing Water Street Tampa
0:56:28 - Bonuses for Lightning Employees
1:05:00 - Selling Stake in Water Street
