Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers and the NHL give $2.7 million for Irma relief

More professional sports teams are contributing to relief efforts in Florida following the destructive path of Hurricane Irma.

The National Hockey League and its two Florida franchises — the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers — announced Tuesday that they are making a joint donation of $2.7 million to those affected across the state from the storm.

Irma caused extensive damage to the entire state of Florida after making landfall in the state Sunday, first hitting the Florida Keys before a second landfall on Marco Island on the state’s west coast. Millions of people throughout the state are still without electricity.

For members of the public who wish to support these efforts can donate through the Lighting Foundation, the Florida Panthers Foundation or by making contributions during the teams’ home preseason games, which begin next week.

For more information, go to NHL.com, Floridapanthers.com or tampabaylightning.com