TAMPA Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik has hired heavy-hitting lobbyist Brian Ballard and two others to represent his interests in Tallahassee.

A Lightning spokesman would not comment Tuesday on the goals to be given the lobbyists, who weren't talking much, either.

But it would come as no surprise for them to lobby the Legislature for millions of dollars for a new downtown medical school for the University of South Florida a project USF is considering putting on Vinik's land near Amalie Arena.

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn assumes Vinik hired the lobbyists for that purpose.

"I don't know that for a fact, but I've got to believe that he may try and help the process as best he can, as will I," he said.

On Monday, Buckhorn met with one of City Hall's lobbyists, William Peebles, telling him that funding for a downtown medical school is "the city's top priority" for next spring's legislative session.

USF assistant vice president for government relations Mark Walsh said he hadn't heard that Vinik had expanded his lobbying team, but "if they want to work with us,'' he said, "we always welcome the help."

Along with Ballard, Vinik's companies hired Ballard's associate Greg Turbeville and attorney-lobbyist Mark Logan, who has worked with Ballard in the past. Brandon-based lobbyist Ronald Pierce, who already had worked with the Lightning and the arena, also is part of the expanded team.

A state lobbying registry indicates Ballard, Turbeville and Logan will represent the Lightning, Strategic Property Partners, Vinik's real estate holding company, and Tampa Bay Sports & Entertainment LLC, the parent company of the Lightning, the Tampa Bay Storm and Amalie Arena.

Ballard said it's too early to start talking about the work, but he's impressed with Vinik.

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Jeff Vinik hires Tallahassee lobbyists amid talk of USF med school move