Asking for a $1-million property tax break in the midst of a labor dispute takes balls, even when you’ve got a Stanley Cup in tow. But that’s what the Tampa Bay Lightning are doing.

What’s the motivation? Keeping up with the rest of the Tampa Bay area’s sports Joneses:

The hockey team says it simply wants the same deal as Tampa’s other professional sports teams, the Buccaneers and [Single-A minor league] Yankees, which pay little or no property taxes on their stadiums.

“We’re just looking for consistent treatment,” said Sean Henry, the Lightning’s chief operating officer.

So let’s see if I have this clear: When players seek their fair share of the pie, they’re selfish, spoiled and overpaid. When the owners do it, they’re exercising good business judgement. Just checking.