Penguins Get Arena Deal Done

[leedsunited]

Don Barden's group who got the license has claimed they would kick in money each year for 30 years to help fund an arena but the city and Pens would also have to help pay and neither of them want to pay for an arena the city needs badly. The Pens are gone unless Gary Bettman tries to have the NHL take over the team until a new arena can be built or Houston or Seattle come calling for the team, he does not want them in KC, Las Vegas, Hartford or Hamilton.

What is Bettman's beef with KC?????? Houston already has a fairly new arena (Toyota Center) which already can support a rink, since the AHL's Aeros play there. Seattle would be a no-go right now since their arena bites for the hockey seating setup, and no new arena is planned. KC would be a smart option because there isn't much competition there (Chiefs are home 8 times a year, the Royals don't begin until April).

KC is the best option with a brand new arena and not as much competition as Houston and Seattle.

How's the hockey support in KC? My beef is that enough franchises have been moved from hockey hotbeds to cities that can be described as anything but, all chasing the glorious new arenas and the almighty dollar.

I guess it's better than freakin' Las Vegas.

KC voted that they'd rather have an NHL team than an NBA team. That's pretty good support if you ask me.

And I disagree with the Vegas part. Las Vegas will be a goldmine for whatever league moves into there first. They would have nothing to compete with and could dominate the area.

Everyone is just cautious because of the things Las Vegas is associated with. Which you can't blame them for being - would you really want young, rich athletes living in Las Vegas? That's just asking for trouble.

Vegas is the 51st ranked television market in the US, has nothing but transplants with their own loyalties, and no pro-ready arena to speak of (or on the books).

Vegas is not like any other city in the US. Half of the population doesn't even work standard 9-5 workdays, how the heck are they going to get to games? And besides the casinos, the corporate infrastructure just isn't there.

The only thing that might make it work is if the Maloofs get an NBA team there. Hockey won't.

[Ez Street]

Mario Lemeiux:

"Recent developments, including yesterday?s decision by the PGCB, and the recent termination of the purchase agreement by Jim Balsillie have convinced us that it is time to take control of our own destiny. Accordingly, starting today, the team is off the market, and we will begin to explore relocation options in cities outside Pennsylvania. After seven years of trying to work out a new arena deal exclusively in Pittsburgh, we need to take into consideration the long-term viability of the team and begin discussions with other cities that may be interested in NHL teams. As soon as we are no longer restricted by our agreement with Isle of Capri from negotiating an arena deal here, in the next few weeks, we will also begin discussions with local leaders about a viable Pittsburgh arena plan. We will have no further comment at this time."

BS. Otherwise you'd list that first instead of relocation.

Off-the-Market means, we have a buyer already. Just have to wait for all the legal stuff.

Also, the 7 years comment leads me to believe they've had enough of trying to talk to these people.

[IceCap]

They either need to keep the Penguins name (the skating penguin in front of the old Scouts "KC" would look so cool) or if they don't they have to recognize the Penguins as part of their history (Stanley Cup banners, etc...). Just say no to the Cleveland deal, one of the worst ideas in pro sports history.

KC and Hamilton are the top two options. Both have NHL-sized arenas. Winnipeg would be my first choice, they just don't have a building.

KC seems hockey-mad and I think they already have an ownership group read. As for Hamilton, now that the IoC deal has fallen through Jim Balsillie could sweep the team up again and move them to Hamilton with much less resistance from Bettman, who hopefully has realized that keeping the team in Pittsburgh is just foolish at this point.

Either way, KC or Hamilton, I'm ok with it. I'm just glad this whole "Keep the Penguins in Pittsburgh!" movement is finally on its last leg. Not that I want them to move, but come on, the writing's been on the wall for years.

[Ez Street]

Pens messageboards seem to think everything is better now since Mario said the team isn't for sale.

They think it excludes KC because "Boots" has an agreement with the Sprint Center.

I think Mario saying the team isn't for sale means, I don't want to deal with the Balsillie's of the world any longer.

He either has a deal done with someone in principal or they are beginning to look.

[Ez Street]

What, no Winnipeg plan.

[Guest]

If Detroit does move to the east, how will Chicago like the idea of possibly playing a grand total of one game against an Original Six team (if the schedule format doesn't change) in the course of a season

Chicago wouldn't like that one bit. Nobody cares about the Predators or Blue Jackets coming to town.

Oh, and save the Penguins, please. Where's all this evidence that Kansas City is "hockey-mad"? And who said "Carolina was a success"? They used to draw 2000 a game!

[Ez Street]

Found this on a board:

1) The powers that be in Pittsburgh don't know when they have a sweetheart deal and they just missed one.

2) Mario has had enough, he's tired of fighting and isn't going to do it anymore.

3) Luc Robatille and Mario are very good friends and business partners along with Boots.

4) AEG and the city of Kansas City will complete the $275 million Sprint Center in Kansas City in Mid 2007.

5)AEG has invested $50 million of it's own money into the arena and is publicly pursuing not just an anchor tenant but an NHL team to be the anchor tenant.

6)AEG has hired Luc Robatille for one reason, find an NHL team for the Sprint Center.

7) Tim Liewike of AEG is a member of the NHL Board of Governors and is overseeing the construction and development of the Sprint Center.

8) Boots has entered into a long term lease agreement with AEG to own and operate an NHL team in the Sprint Center.

9) All 72 luxury suites in the Sprint Center have been purchased and the building hasn't been completed.

10) The NHL has had it and realizes that the Penguins cannot continue the status quo and be a financially viable team in Mellon. Mario will turn to his friends Luc and Boots.

I've visited a few Pens boards.....WOW. They are pissed, and rightfully so.

There have been some "KC" supporters going on thier stiring s**t up. That is low, in my opinion. If you want to talk about it, dream, and get excited, don't do it on thier board.

Doesn't help the perception of KC when idiots start s**t on a messageboard.

Though the short-sighted comments about KC being a "hick" town are ridiculous. I just love sterotypes about towns, when most people probably haven't been there.

If Detroit does move to the east, how will Chicago like the idea of possibly playing a grand total of one game against an Original Six team (if the schedule format doesn't change) in the course of a season

Chicago wouldn't like that one bit. Nobody cares about the Predators or Blue Jackets coming to town.

Oh, and save the Penguins, please. Where's all this evidence that Kansas City is "hockey-mad"? And who said "Carolina was a success"? They used to draw 2000 a game!

Well, KC has a group called NHL21. They have been around for years. Each season they have put together a preseason NHL game at Kemper. The game ussually draws very well. Not totally sold out, but 15,000 for a exhibition game in a non-NHL market is good.

NHL21's primary goal is to "Cultivate, Kansas City for an NHL team".

Kansas Citians want the NHL. They also want the NBA. I'd say it's 50/50. But I believe there is plenty of support out there for an NHL team.

The KC metro and nearby cities are combined to about 2 million. that's a good population base to draw from.

[maz]

Mario Lemeiux:

"Recent developments, including yesterday?s decision by the PGCB, and the recent termination of the purchase agreement by Jim Balsillie have convinced us that it is time to take control of our own destiny. Accordingly, starting today, the team is off the market, and we will begin to explore relocation options in cities outside Pennsylvania. After seven years of trying to work out a new arena deal exclusively in Pittsburgh, we need to take into consideration the long-term viability of the team and begin discussions with other cities that may be interested in NHL teams. As soon as we are no longer restricted by our agreement with Isle of Capri from negotiating an arena deal here, in the next few weeks, we will also begin discussions with local leaders about a viable Pittsburgh arena plan. We will have no further comment at this time."

Dont do it Mario. Youre a legend in Pittsburgh right now, but if you move them you will be hated forever, and I dont think you want eggs all over your nice house & car, do you?

[Ez Street]

I think what Mario is doing is ultimately best for the team in the economical sense. He can't just sit back and hope something happens. Like he said, it's been 7 years. What more can he do?

People shouldn't be pissed at Mario. It is a business after all. They should be pissed at the local government.

[BBTV]

Pittsburgh is not exactly an economically thriving town right now. Even getting the arena wouldn't guarantee the stability of the team. I love Pittsburgh, but it has way bigger issues than an obsolete arena.

[hormone]

I think what Mario is doing is ultimately best for the team in the economical sense. He can't just sit back and hope something happens. Like he said, it's been 7 years. What more can he do?

People shouldn't be pissed at Mario. It is a business after all. They should be pissed at the local government.

Amen. It's a shame that he (for the most part) had to become owner just to get some of the money he was owed to him and he had to come back to get butts in the seat, make his team a winner, and generate interest in the sport.

If anyone, F the decision makers. You can't fault Mario one bit.

Pittsburgh is not exactly an economically thriving town right now. Even getting the arena wouldn't guarantee the stability of the team. I love Pittsburgh, but it has way bigger issues than an obsolete arena.

As far as a "major" city, Pitts is the Pitts. It seems like everything is horrid here and in the surrounding cities. There isn't much work, the city isn't that up-to-date (and neither is some people's styles), the roads are garbage with the tar and chip like it's 1950 again. It's a depressed area. The working class seemed to get poorer while the rich became the elite. I always felt that there was only a slight gap here and over time it became a great gap.

[leedsunited]

As far as a "major" city, Pitts is the Pitts. It seems like everything is horrid here and in the surrounding cities. There isn't much work, the city isn't that up-to-date (and neither is some people's styles), the roads are garbage with the tar and chip like it's 1950 again. It's a depressed area. The working class seemed to get poorer while the rich became the elite. I always felt that there was only a slight gap here and over time it became a great gap.

Odd, you can say the same thing about KC.

[youcan'tseeme]

NHL Alignment - If Pens move to Kansas City

Eastern Conference

Atlantic - New Jersey, NY Islanders, NY Rangers, Philadelphia, Washington

Northeast - Boston, Buffalo, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto

Southeast - Atlanta, Carolina, Florida, Nashville, Tampa Bay

Western Conference

Central - Chicago, Columbus, Detroit, Kansas City, St. Louis

Northwest - Calgary, Colorado, Edmonton, Minnesota, Vancouver

Pacific - Anaheim, Dallas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Jose

NHL Alignment - If Pens move to Houston

Eastern Conference

Atlantic - New Jersey, NY Islanders, NY Rangers, Philadelphia, Washington

Northeast - Boston, Buffalo, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto

Southeast - Atlanta, Carolina, Florida, Nashville, Tampa Bay

Western Conference

Central - Chicago, Columbus, Detroit, Minnesota, St. Louis

Northwest - Calgary, Colorado, Edmonton, San Jose, Vancouver

Southwest - Anaheim, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Phoenix

NHL Alignment - If Pens move to Hamilton, Ontario (unlikely)

Eastern Conference

Atlantic - Boston, New Jersey, NY Islanders, NY Rangers, Philadelphia,

Northeast - Buffalo, Hamilton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto

Southeast - Atlanta, Carolina, Florida, Tampa Bay, Washington

Western Conference

Central - Chicago, Columbus, Detroit, Nashville, St. Louis

Northwest - Calgary, Colorado, Edmonton, Minnesota, Vancouver

Pacific - Anaheim, Dallas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Jose

NHL Alignment - If Pens move to Portland or Seattle (unlikely)

Eastern Conference

Atlantic - New Jersey, NY Islanders, NY Rangers Philadelphia, Washington

Northeast - Boston, Buffalo, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto

Southeast - Atlanta, Carolina, Florida, Nashville, Tampa Bay

Western Conference

Central - Chicago, Columbus, Detroit, Minnesota, St. Louis

Northwest - Calgary, Colorado, Edmonton, Portland/Seattle, Vancouver

Pacific - Anaheim, Dallas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Jose

NHL Alignment - If Pens move to Las Vegas (unlikely)

Eastern Conference

Atlantic - New Jersey, NY Islanders, NY Rangers Philadelphia, Washington

Northeast - Boston, Buffalo, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto

Southeast - Atlanta, Carolina, Florida, Nashville, Tampa Bay

Western Conference

Central - Chicago, Columbus, Detroit, Minnesota, St. Louis

Northwest - Calgary, Colorado, Edmonton, San Jose, Vancouver

Southwest - Anaheim, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix

What, no Winnipeg plan.

Here you go The Official Winnipeg Plan

Eastern Conference

Atlantic - New Jersey, NY Islanders, NY Rangers Philadelphia, Washington

Northeast - Boston, Buffalo, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto

Southeast - Atlanta, Carolina, Florida, Nashville, Tampa Bay

Western Conference

Central - Chicago, Columbus, Detroit, Minnesota, St. Louis

Northwest - Calagry, Colorado, Edmonton, Vancouver, Winnipeg

Pacific - Anaheim, Dallas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Jose

none of those willk be the alignment, for the last time the NHL has promised Detroit the Eastern any spot that may be avaibble in the east, even if Nashville is further east.

[BBTV]

I think what Mario is doing is ultimately best for the team in the economical sense. He can't just sit back and hope something happens. Like he said, it's been 7 years. What more can he do?

People shouldn't be pissed at Mario. It is a business after all. They should be pissed at the local government.

Amen. It's a shame that he (for the most part) had to become owner just to get some of the money he was owed to him and he had to come back to get butts in the seat, make his team a winner, and generate interest in the sport.

If anyone, F the decision makers. You can't fault Mario one bit.

Pittsburgh is not exactly an economically thriving town right now. Even getting the arena wouldn't guarantee the stability of the team. I love Pittsburgh, but it has way bigger issues than an obsolete arena.

As far as a "major" city, Pitts is the Pitts. It seems like everything is horrid here and in the surrounding cities. There isn't much work, the city isn't that up-to-date (and neither is some people's styles), the roads are garbage with the tar and chip like it's 1950 again. It's a depressed area. The working class seemed to get poorer while the rich became the elite. I always felt that there was only a slight gap here and over time it became a great gap.

Depends on your def. of "major." I think Pittsburgh is in the 40's population wise in the country, maybe smaller. The market as a whole is one of the smaller ones. It's pretty sad, that most of the good young minds from the local universities have to leave the city to find jobs that pay good salaries. The real telling stat is the real-estate market. My Pittsburgh friends are amazed that my rent for a crappy place in Phila. is more than their mortgage (of course my income for similar work is significantly higher.)

[CurrDawg]

Pretty F-ing sad that the city of Pittsburgh can build a beautiful ballpark for the sorry ass Triple-A Pirates and can't find money to save the Penguins!!!!!!!!!! Please somebody save the Penguins!!!!!!!!!!

[Guest]

Pittsburgh is like 2.3 million for metro, so that's in the 20s or 30s depending on how you count.

[PittsburghSucks]

As far as a "major" city, Pitts is the Pitts. It seems like everything is horrid here and in the surrounding cities. There isn't much work, the city isn't that up-to-date (and neither is some people's styles), the roads are garbage with the tar and chip like it's 1950 again. It's a depressed area. The working class seemed to get poorer while the rich became the elite. I always felt that there was only a slight gap here and over time it became a great gap.

Odd, you can say the same thing about KC.

You can say that about the whole USA thanks to G.W. Bush & company.

[maz]

I think what Mario is doing is ultimately best for the team in the economical sense. He can't just sit back and hope something happens. Like he said, it's been 7 years. What more can he do?

People shouldn't be pissed at Mario. It is a business after all. They should be pissed at the local government.

People are pissed at the government. Belive me they are PISSED.

But people here {including me to an extent} would rather see the team die here than move to another city to only be seen again in 5 years when Malkin is raising the cup in downtown KC.

[CJR]

none of those willk be the alignment, for the last time the NHL has promised Detroit the Eastern any spot that may be avaibble in the east, even if Nashville is further east.

No one wants to listen to that, everyone knows that a Central Time Zone team in the Eastern Conference is the right idea.

[Fred T. Jane]

No one wants to listen to that, everyone knows that a Central Time Zone team in the Eastern Conference is the right idea.

Just like a team in the Western Conference has 2 teams in the Eastern Time Zone!

Geography > NHL

In all seriousness, it's amusing I was castigated by some for saying things before the decision that are now agreed upon after the fact. Guess I was onto something...