Penguins Get Arena Deal Done

[CJR]

looks kinda fake.

You've never seen the Church Sign Generator?

[NJTank]

looks kinda fake.

Indeed.

Sounds like there is a meeting Monday about the Arena in Pittsburgh. Might be all done with next week.

Well again Pittsburgh has two choices build it or lose the Pens.

[Ez Street]

Lemieux, NHL say window is closing

By Joe Starkey and Rob Rossi

TRIBUNE-REVIEW

Monday, January 22, 2007

DALLAS - Gov. Ed Rendell liked the arena plan that was discussed Thursday night in a meeting with Penguins officials.

Mario Lemieux didn't.

Rendell, Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl met with a Penguins contingent that included co-owner Ronald Burkle but did not include Lemieux, who had previously committed to attend an out-of-town charity event. The Penguins were surprised when Majestic Star Casino owner Don Barden unexpectedly attended the meeting. He took an active role in the talks.

Unlike a previous meeting, when both sides emerged optimistic, this one did not end well.

"I heard it wasn't very good," Lemieux said Monday at American Airlines Center, site of Wednesday's NHL All-Star Game. "Our people were offended and very disappointed. Now, as always, we have to go out and explore our options. Once we find a deal we like, we'll sign it up."

Earlier in the day, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said he figured the Penguins would choose among competing arena plans within 2-3 weeks. Kansas City is the other city known to have presented the Penguins with an offer.

Lemieux did not dispute Daly's projection.

"The sooner the better," Lemieux said. "A few weeks ago, I said 30 days, and we're getting very close to that. Sooner or later, we're just going to make a decision and go with it. Whatever happens, happens."

Daly said the NHL will not prevent the Penguins from leaving Pittsburgh if a "viable arena plan" is not agreed upon.

"Don't think the league won't allow this team to move," Daly said. "If they don't have a viable arena plan, it would be wrong for us to make the franchise stay there."

Daly did not elaborate on what league would consider "viable" when it comes to a plan for a new arena.

"We'll have our say in the way we'll report (the plan) to the board (of governors)," Daly said, adding that the board would be the ones to vote to approve or reject a possible move.

Daly said that league by-law 36 would legally allow the NHL to prevent the Penguins from relocating, if it chose.

"I'm not concerned legally with our ability to control a franchise's location," Daly said.

The Penguins' lease at Mellon Arena expires in June.

Earlier this month, Lemieux and Burkle met with officials from Kansas City's new Sprint Center about possibly relocating there, starting next season. Officials from AEG, which will operate the Sprint Center, have offered the Penguins free rent in addition to partial revenues at the facility.

Back in Pittsburgh, Barden, who will own the city's sole stand-alone casino on the North Shore, has agreed to pay $7.5 million a year for 30 years toward the arena. The state would kick in another $7 million a year from an economic development fund backed with gambling money.

Under Rendell's original arena proposal, called Plan B, the team would have paid $8.5 million up front and $2.9 million a year, while forgoing $1.16 million in naming rights. The Penguins' contributions likely have been reduced in the latest offer, but the team might have to share arena revenues, including parking. Team officials have been concerned about how much money they might lose by staying at Mellon Arena the next two seasons rather than moving to Kansas City, said state Sen. Wayne Fontana, a member of the city-county Sports & Exhibition Authority.

Lemieux was asked about his impressions of Kansas City as a hockey market.

"I've only been there once," Lemieux said. "The one visit we had was very, very positive with local leaders being there and the corporate support they showed from the start and having the (luxury) boxes all sold out. That's a pretty good start."

[Ez Street]

http://torontosun.com/Sports/Hockey/2007/0...431234-sun.html

"No comment. I don't really know what's going to happen," Lemieux said yesterday. "We need to know because guys like Sidney Crosby need to know what colours they're going to wear next year."

[rams80]

Semi O/T. So does this mean the Pens are one of the teams that HAVEN'T finalized their design for next year?

[Maz]

what the :censored: is wrong with you Mario?

[Juddley]

what the :censored: is wrong with you Mario?

Stop giving Mario greif. This is purely a business move. Back when he took over ownership of the Pens, it was to offset the monies owed to him from his playing days. I know he has to love the city of Pittsburgh and the fans, but he has to do what is best for him and his team. If that means relocation, so be it. But do not blame him for this: the city and state allowed the Pirates and Steelers get new place, while Mellon Arena fell into a state of disrepair.

[Guest]

I love watching Ez Street hover over this story like a vulture.

[Maz]

what the :censored: is wrong with you Mario?

Stop giving Mario greif. This is purely a business move. Back when he took over ownership of the Pens, it was to offset the monies owed to him from his playing days. I know he has to love the city of Pittsburgh and the fans, but he has to do what is best for him and his team. If that means relocation, so be it. But do not blame him for this: the city and state allowed the Pirates and Steelers get new place, while Mellon Arena fell into a state of disrepair.

The city is willing to worki it over. They know what losing them will do, and Mario takes and throws it in their face.

Yeah, at this point, its his fault.

He needs to stop acting like a kid and forget about the past 7 years already.

[Ez Street]

I love watching Ez Street hover over this story like a vulture.

Geee, I don't know why I'd have an interest.

I live near KC and love hockey.

How dare I.

[zer0dotcom]

what the :censored: is wrong with you Mario?

Stop giving Mario greif. This is purely a business move. Back when he took over ownership of the Pens, it was to offset the monies owed to him from his playing days. I know he has to love the city of Pittsburgh and the fans, but he has to do what is best for him and his team. If that means relocation, so be it. But do not blame him for this: the city and state allowed the Pirates and Steelers get new place, while Mellon Arena fell into a state of disrepair.

The city is willing to worki it over. They know what losing them will do, and Mario takes and throws it in their face.

Yeah, at this point, its his fault.

He needs to stop acting like a kid and forget about the past 7 years already.

The city should have done something before it got to this state. As much as I'm sure that Mario wants the team to stay in Pittsburgh, you gotta ask how much more money he's willing to forfeit, considering how much he lost as a player to remain in Pittsburgh and keep playing for the team.

Call him a dick if you want, but 99% of intelligent business people would do exactly the same in his position

[IceCap]

what the :censored: is wrong with you Mario?

Stop giving Mario greif. This is purely a business move. Back when he took over ownership of the Pens, it was to offset the monies owed to him from his playing days. I know he has to love the city of Pittsburgh and the fans, but he has to do what is best for him and his team. If that means relocation, so be it. But do not blame him for this: the city and state allowed the Pirates and Steelers get new place, while Mellon Arena fell into a state of disrepair.

The city is willing to worki it over. They know what losing them will do, and Mario takes and throws it in their face.

Yeah, at this point, its his fault.

He needs to stop acting like a kid and forget about the past 7 years already.

The city should have done something before it got to this state. As much as I'm sure that Mario wants the team to stay in Pittsburgh, you gotta ask how much more money he's willing to forfeit, considering how much he lost as a player to remain in Pittsburgh and keep playing for the team.

Call him a dick if you want, but 99% of intelligent business people would do exactly the same in his position

Seconded.

I would also like to add that Mario gave the city of Pittsburgh a fair chance. He got a deal from KC and basically said "if you can match this, I'll stay." The city came out with their offer, one that's apparently inferior to the one in KC. So blame the municipal government of Pittsburgh for this, not Mario. He's going to take the best offer, and right now the best offer seems to be in Kansas City. If the municipal government of Pittsburgh is willing to match that offer (they don't even have to beat it) Mario will keep the team there.

[Guest]

I love watching Ez Street hover over this story like a vulture.

Geee, I don't know why I'd have an interest.

I live near KC and love hockey.

How dare I.

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's traditional-market hockey club, Ez Street.

[rams80]

what the :censored: is wrong with you Mario?

Stop giving Mario greif. This is purely a business move. Back when he took over ownership of the Pens, it was to offset the monies owed to him from his playing days. I know he has to love the city of Pittsburgh and the fans, but he has to do what is best for him and his team. If that means relocation, so be it. But do not blame him for this: the city and state allowed the Pirates and Steelers get new place, while Mellon Arena fell into a state of disrepair.

The city is willing to worki it over. They know what losing them will do, and Mario takes and throws it in their face.

Yeah, at this point, its his fault.

He needs to stop acting like a kid and forget about the past 7 years already.

The city should have done something before it got to this state. As much as I'm sure that Mario wants the team to stay in Pittsburgh, you gotta ask how much more money he's willing to forfeit, considering how much he lost as a player to remain in Pittsburgh and keep playing for the team.

Call him a dick if you want, but 99% of intelligent business people would do exactly the same in his position

Seconded.

I would also like to add that Mario gave the city of Pittsburgh a fair chance. He got a deal from KC and basically said "if you can match this, I'll stay." The city came out with their offer, one that's apparently inferior to the one in KC. So blame the municipal government of Pittsburgh for this, not Mario. He's going to take the best offer, and right now the best offer seems to be in Kansas City. If the municipal government of Pittsburgh is willing to match that offer (they don't even have to beat it) Mario will keep the team there.

Thirded

Put this in perspective. If it weren't for Lemieux being willing to put up with all this garbage, the Penguins would have moved or folded 5-6 years ago. Shoot, the fact he hasn't essentially told Pittsburgh's politicians "The hell with you" at any point in the last 3 years should be a strong indication of how much he loves the city and wants this to work. Now he's got a sweetheart deal from KC, tells Pittsburgh to match it, and apparently the mayor is too dense to figure out that the status quo or an inferior deal isn't going to cut it. He's acting ultimately in the best interest of his franchise.

[Maz]

Alright. Our government screwed up. Like thats anything new.

[IceCap]

Alright. Our government screwed up. Like thats anything new.

The point is don't blame Mario for your government's incompetence.

[Maz]

Alright. Our government screwed up. Like thats anything new.

The point is don't blame Mario for your government's incompetence.

I get it.

and after looking on what our local government has done the past few years I shouldnt be surprized at all this is happening. But If the pens move, it will be THE biggest screwup theyve had.

[IceCap]

Alright. Our government screwed up. Like thats anything new.

The point is don't blame Mario for your government's incompetence.

I get it.

and after looking on what our local government has done the past few years I shouldnt be surprized at all this is happening. But If the pens move, it will be THE biggest screwup theyve had.

All though I know next to nothing about Pittsburgh municipal politics, I would have to agree. All they need to do is match KC's offer (or come up with something else just as sweet) and the team stays. If the mayor and everyone else involved on Pittsburgh's end of things can't figure that out, well it's game over.

[NJTank]

Pittsburgh has only one option BUILD A DAMN ARENA. Stop footing and do it.

The Igloo is a dump, and its unrealistic to ask the Penguins to stay there any longer.

[Ez Street]

I love watching Ez Street hover over this story like a vulture.

Geee, I don't know why I'd have an interest.

I live near KC and love hockey.

How dare I.

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's traditional-market hockey club, Ez Street.

Next time I'll check with you to make sure you are ok with it.