Mayors challenge Pittsburgh ahead of Eastern Conference Final

TAMPA (FOX 13) - The gauntlet has been thrown. Mayors Bob Buckhorn and Rick Kriseman have challenged Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto to a friendly challenge during the Eastern Conference Series.

The Tampa and St. Petersburg mayors made a wager:
- The mayor or mayors of the losing team will send $1,000 to the winning mayor's veterans charity of choice.
- The loser will include a case of their favorite local brew for the winning mayor.
- Finally, the losing mayor(s) will wear the jersey of the opposing team the day after the final game of the series and post a photo, as proof, on social media. 

Buckhorn and Kriseman designated the Special Operations Warrior Foundation as their charity of choice, and Cigar City Brewing and St. Pete Brewing Company for their favorite local brews. 

Mayor Peduto accepted the challenge, designating the Veterans Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania as his charity and East End Brewing Company for his favorite local brew. 

"In spite of my affection for Mayor Peduto and my fellow Penn Staters in Pittsburgh, I will take the Lightning over the Pens and palm trees over perogies any day of the week," Mayor Buckhorn said. "It is not good to stand near a steel town when there is Lightning in the vicinity. Go Bolts!"

"The sun will be shining on the Tampa Bay Lightning when they take this series from the Penguins," Mayor Kriseman added. "I look forward to seeing my friend and fellow mayor Bill Peduto in a Lightning jersey. Go Bolts!"

Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto added, "While I share a love of Tampa's picturesque skyline, bay front institutions and year round warm weather, WE ARE Pittsburgh! 'Cheers' to a friendly wager benefiting a good cause, but you are likely to leave the black and gold city of bridges the way you came in, black and blue. Let's Go Pens!"