Florida is having its own version of the Garth Brooks-Croke Park debacle

Garth Brooks and sports stadiums simply do not mix.

Almost a year after every country-western fan in Ireland had to dolefully put their Stetsons back up into their attics, Garth Brooks has cancelled another string of concerts in a sports arena. This time Tampa, Florida was the city to have their Garth taken away. It was announced on Sunday that Brooks cancelled three gigs of his world tour that he had booked for the Amalie Arena, the home of NHL franchise, the Tampa Bay Lightning. a Brooks released a statement Sunday stating that all three shows that were scheduled for from 5th to 6th June, would be called off as they conflicted with the second game of the Stanley Cup Final. The Lightning need the Arena to play the Chicago Blackhawks in the final's second game on June 6th, which meant that the two separate shows Brooks was set to play at 7 p.m. and 10:30 p.m respectively couldn't go ahead. Those that had bought tickets will be issued a full refund. In his statement, Brooks broke down exactly why the gigs could not go ahead.

"First of all, we would all like to congratulate the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Chicago Blackhawks for reaching the Stanley Cup Final. As we now know, Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final is being played on Saturday, June 6th." "All parties looked into moving Saturday's two Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood shows to Sunday. The issue of getting the network crews and their gear out of the building and getting our crews and gear into the building late Saturday/early Sunday for two shows on Sunday raises serious safety concerns." "It is because of those safety concerns that the choice is being made to refund all shows and reschedule depending on finding a date that works for both the arena and the tour."

Hat-tip to CBS Sports