Tampa Bay Lightning fans vow to #BoycottBradenton after Pittsburgh towel promotion

The Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau unleashed a storm Friday, symbolized by #BoycottBradenton, when it was revealed that it was the sponsor of a Pittsburgh Penguins rally towel -- just before the Pens were set to take on the hometown Tampa Bay Lightning.

After the Bolts won the game, the CVB issued a lengthy statement touting the Bradenton area's long-standing ties with Pittsburgh, the city's role as the Pirates' spring training home and that tourism promotion in Pittsburgh has led to large increases in tourists from western Pennsylvania.

The CVB, which is funded by tourist taxes paid by visitors to the Bradenton area also noted that it spends a larger amount of money as part of its partnership with the Lightning and Amalie Arena in Tampa.

Twitter -- where #BoycottBradenton quickly trended -- was not convinced.

This story was originally published May 14, 2016 at 5:46 AM with the headline "Tampa Bay Lightning fans vow to #BoycottBradenton after Pittsburgh towel promotion."