The transaction happened two weeks ago and includes a half-dozen contiguous parcels north of Channelside Drive purchased for $9.5 million, according to county records.

The seller was a legal entity tied to the Italiano family of Tampa. The buyer is Crestline Acquisitions Group LLC of Greenwood Village Colo., a company related to Michael and Ray Baker. Last year, they directed the purchase of 7 acres across from the Forum immediately to the west for $6.8 million.

Ray Baker is the longtime chairman of the Denver Metropolitan Major League Baseball Stadium District, which owns Coors Field. He helped pull together public financing for the ballpark that is home to the Colorado Rockies.

The parcel in Tampa that sold two weeks ago is also about 7 acres and stretches from Channelside Drive on the south to East Finley Street on the north, and it is bordered on either side by South Caesar Street and just before South Meridian Avenue.

Officials with the Lighting confirmed the deal and noted that Vinik is involved in the property as a part owner, but they said there are no plans for the land. For years, the Lightning and Forum operators have used land north of the Forum for employee parking and to store the scores of trucks that often come in for concerts and shows.

"As one of the economic hubs of the Channelside District, we remain interested in what is happening in the neighborhood," the Lightning said in a statement. "There are no short- or long-term plans for the property at this point, other than creating increased parking options for Lightning hockey games, Storm football games and other Times Forum events."

The transaction comes just as the Tampa Bay Rays baseball stadium becomes a hot political topic again. On Thursday, the owners of the baseball team wrote to the mayor of St. Petersburg, Bill Foster, saying they'd like to explore locations for a new stadium in both Pinellas and Hillsborough County - a move Foster has staunchly opposed.

Not wanting to be an illegal suitor, Hillsborough County and Tampa politicians have shied away from overtly wooing the team to change locations - though Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn has characterized the area north of Channelside Drive as perfect for a stadium.