Mayor Rahm Emanuel invites Lightning fans to Chicago

By Zareen Syed

When a city shuts your people out, invite them to yours. That could be Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s mantra.

Earlier this week, the Tampa Bay Lightning Vice President, Bill Wickett, banned out-of-state Blackhawks fans from Amalie Arena for the pair of games in Tampa Bay. In his unapologetic response, Wickett said he wants to create a hometown environment for the Lightning players and season-ticket holders. From the sounds of it though, the only logical explanation for the Lightning’s bizarre efforts is most likely the fear of being outnumbered by Blackhawks fans in their own stadium.

And in blocking out the red and black, Wickett elicited a response from the Mayor of Chicago, who knows a thing or two about plugging the city as a tourist destination into any given situation.

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So while the Lightning uses their powers, Emanuel extends the hand of (one-sided) camaraderie:

“Chicago Blackhawks supporters are known to be among the best in the NHL, and certainly we wish the Tampa Bay Lightning management would welcome Chicago fans to their city and not be afraid to let them into their arena for the Stanley Cup finals. As Mayor of Chicago, I welcome Tampa fans –and hockey fans from around the country – to fly to Chicago and enjoy our world class hotels, restaurants, cultural attractions, and then go watch Stanley Cup hockey in Chicago. It doesn’t get better than that.”