Because it's the Stanley Cup playoffs, and because the Lightning have again won a couple rounds, people are noticing their understandable-but-soft policy against visiting team gear at Amalie Arena.
It's not new, but fans along the glass and in other high-profile areas can't wear stuff “branded with the name, logo, or registered mark(s) of the then-current 2015-2016 playoff opponent of the Lightning."
Again: It's soft, but not that big a deal. The Lightning are a privately owned company running an event, and they can decide who wears what. It's not a first-amendment issue. It's just corny; Tampa Bay is protecting the sensibilities of their richest customers at all cost. Can't have them remembering that not everyone loves their team. They paid good money for that right!
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Anyway, if you're in those special seats, you'll be asked to take off the offending garment, put on a neutral team-issued shirt, change seats or ... get thrown in jail, maybe?
That'll be an issue for transplanted Penguins fans on Wednesday. It shouldn't be, though. One fan speaking to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has a half-decent idea.
David Wiercinski, an Orlando businessman originally from Mercer County who has tickets to Game 4 on Friday, is not sure if he will be asked to take off his black and gold, but he might bring reinforcements just in case.
His idea is to wear a Penguins jersey — and beneath that, a Steelers jersey, then below that, a Pirates jersey.
After that, all bets are off.
“If I can withstand the heat, I will probably have all three jerseys,” Mr. Wiercinski said. “If they keep telling me to peel the layers, we’ll see what happens.
There's an even easier solution, though: Wear a yellow t-shirt. It's what they're doing at Consol Energy Center these days anyway.
Go to Target and buy one for $9.99 — Mossimo makes a nice shirt (Gap t-shirts are overrated). You'll stick out even more than you would in a black Evgeni Malkin jersey, and the Lightning can't say a word about it. It's right there in the bylaws, and it'll work just fine.
Other options, if time permits: A yellow shirt with "OTHER TEAM" on the front in block letters. Or just dress like a normal person. That'd also work.