Penguins Get Arena Deal Done

[Ez Street]

I read on a Penguins blog, why I don't know, that the team might be moving to that "GAY" city of KC. You are so pissed you come out with that kinda 4th grade insult of a city? I truly hope that is no indication of the intelligence of the Pittsbugh faithful. Because if they would have addressed their long know problem, they would have to worry about that "Homo City" taking thier team.

You've never seen Blazing Saddles, have you?

Well perhaps it's been too long since I've seen it. Is there a reference there?

I'm guessing that particular movie is a favorite of yours.

Opening scene of the movie, where the cowboys are dancing and singing the "Camp Town Ladies" song, and their boss rides up and says: "What in the wide, wide world of sports is-a goin' on here? How about gettin' a little track laid down today, and not dance around like a bunch of Kansas City :censored:s!"....

At least, that's my first thought when I read that...

Gotcha.

Regardless, it's hardly the best way to deal with the potential loss of your team.

[Ez Street]

Sorry, I was messing around and thought of doing this. It is not meant to disrespect the Pens fans.

[Maz]

Sorry, I was messing around and thought of doing this. It is not meant to disrespect the Pens fans.

If they move, they arent going to be the Penguins anymore. And Lemieux will sell the team. He has a house and family in Pittsburgh, he isnt going to up and move with the team. Thats why he tried to sell them in the first place.

Nice edit though.

[Ez Street]

Yeah, I kinda think most folks around here want a different name.

I say IF it happens, Scouts works for me.

[leedsunited]

Yeah, I kinda think most folks around here want a different name.

I say IF it happens, Scouts works for me.

And this is what kills me about the whole thing. I have no affinity for Pittsburgh, and frankly, I think the populace there are idiots for building PNC Park for the worthless Pirates instead of a multipurpose arena. Yet, I do have a great love and admiration for the great name and logo of the Penguins. If they don't follow the team wherever they go (at the expense of generic pablum like "Scouts"), that will be the biggest tragedy.

Pittsburgh, you blew it, whatever. I just hope the name/logo isn't mothballed.

[budbowl77]

STAY IN PITTSBURGH!

[Ez Street]

I hear from a friend yesterday (fellow poster on these boards) that Mario was in Houston last Friday. The same day he was supposedly in Kansas City. It is possible he visited both cities in the same day. But it is also possible that someone is fabricating rumors. In either case, I can't imagine it's too good for Pittsburgh's chances.

Though I'm starting to think KC & Houston are the good ol' pawns in this. Mario may be serious, but he could be using us to finally get his way in the 'Burg.

I am purely guessing.....but I bet something gets figured out by Jaunary 24th. All the owners will probably be at the All-Star game. I thought they are supposed to dicuss the scheduling and playoff formats for next year.

[Roger Clemente]

I would be strange if they moved to Houston as both teams based in Texas would be relocated teams. And, oddly enough, transplants of the two teams in the 1991 Stanley Cup Finals.

My (reluctant) choice is on Kansas City. Seeing as how the Penguins franchise is now a team on the rise, with a great group of young talent waiting to bloon, and the Royals and Chiefs (and even the state's current NHL team, the Blues) currently pitter-pattering in mediocrity for the moment, the timing is perfect to take advantage of a new market (well, not totally new...) and boost the franchise.

Wouldn't be the first time a Half of Fame NHL player born on Oct. 5, 1965 had a major impact on a relocated franchise either...

--Roger "Time?" Clemente.

[NickNickNick]

Wouldn't be the first time a Half of Fame NHL player born on Oct. 5, 1965 had a major impact on a relocated franchise either...

A Stanley Cup in a team's first season relocated to a different city isn't that big an impact...I mean, didn't you hear that the sellout streak ended this season? psssh. 10 years, big deal.

[Milo Meningocele]

Yeah, I kinda think most folks around here want a different name.

I say IF it happens, Scouts works for me.

Yet, I do have a great love and admiration for the great name and logo of the Penguins. If they don't follow the team wherever they go (at the expense of generic pablum like "Scouts"), that will be the biggest tragedy.

"Scouts" would be far from a generic name in KC. They didn't give their first team that name randomly.

[rvrdgsfn]

I think scouts would be very appropriate for Kansas CIty. Kind of a way to show some respect sort of

[Ez Street]

For those who don't know...

The name "scouts" comes from a local statue in Kansas City

[Ez Street]

I'm blogging...

http://www.kansashockey.blogspot.com/

[xyzzyva]

For those who don't know...

The name "scouts" comes from a local statue in Kansas City

And I'd imagine UMB Bank (always thought that name is redundant...) would love for that name to come back, since they use it as their (secondary) logo. It'd be good to continue the Bartle/Kemper inbreeding in KC sports.

That said, I really hope they keep the Penguins name and logo, those are classic. Unless the NHL thinks a return of hockey to Pittsburgh is likely...

[leedsunited]

Yeah, I kinda think most folks around here want a different name.

I say IF it happens, Scouts works for me.

Yet, I do have a great love and admiration for the great name and logo of the Penguins. If they don't follow the team wherever they go (at the expense of generic pablum like "Scouts"), that will be the biggest tragedy.

"Scouts" would be far from a generic name in KC. They didn't give their first team that name randomly.

Yeah, but at the expense of "Penguins"? It's generic.

[Ez Street]

Kansas City:

Rent: ? (From what I gather 3 Million a year is a good ballpark figure)

Upfront: None. There is a possible relocation fee by the NHL.

Naming rights: None will be given to the team.

Cost overruns: Team not responsible.

Arena Revenue: "A Share"

Total money paid toward arena = $?

Estimate on total money toward arena = $60,000,000.00 (3 Million x 20 years) or $90,000,000.00 (3 Million x 30 years)

Pittsburgh:

Rent: $3 Million per year. 30 year term.

Upfront: $8 Million

Naming rights: None will be given to penguins.

Cost overruns: Penguins are responsible.

Arena revenue: Negotiable

Total money paid toward arena = $98,000,000.00 plus an undetermined amount for construction overruns.

These numbers can change. "Plan B" in Pittsburgh has yet to be finalized. There is reason to believe that the city would maybe lower some figures too make it more appealing to the Penguins. Kansas City's yearly arena rent could be more than $3 Million. Which would make a deal in KC less attractive. Plus the Arena Revenue could be a lot sweeter in Pittsburgh.

There are too many variables to accurately say which is the better deal. If you had the finalized plan for both side by side, then you could make a educated decision. Even then you will have to weigh the factors of each market.

Bottom line, it's all speculation on both sides at this point. I doubt anyone has an real idea what will happen at this point. Perhaps Mr. Lemieux does.

[Ez Street]

I bet they stay. Look at this.

Lemieux to meet with Pa. officials

By Andrew Conte

TRIBUNE-REVIEW

Friday, December 29, 2006

Penguins owners agreed to meet next week with Gov. Ed Rendell and local leaders to talk about how to pay for an Uptown arena that could keep the team in Pittsburgh, according to a letter they sent Thursday evening.

Owners Mario Lemieux and Ronald Burkle warned that "time is of the essence" and said they are "in the process of exploring all of our options." The Penguins' lease at Mellon Arena expires in June, and team officials have said they will consider relocating.

"It is essential for the future of this franchise that we negotiate an arena deal that makes economic sense for the long term," the owners wrote.

Team officials were responding to a request from Rendell, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato for a meeting next Thursday, when Rendell comes to town. The elected officials said they want to have an arena deal in place by March 31.

Lemieux and Burkle said in their letter that the team needs an answer "well in advance" of that deadline.

Megan Dardanell, spokeswoman for Onorato, welcomed the team's quick response.

"That's just obviously what we were hoping would happen," she said.

The elected officials' letter originated with Rendell's office, but Ravenstahl and Onorato helped draft it. Rendell spokeswoman Kate Philips and Ravenstahl spokesman Dick Skrinjar declined comment on the letter, dated Wednesday.

"We remain solidly committed to keeping the Penguins at home in Pittsburgh," Rendell, Ravenstahl and Onorato wrote. "We believe the time has come for those discussions to begin and to proceed in an expeditious manner."

The Penguins had partnered with St. Louis-based Isle of Capri Casinos, which offered to pay $290 million for an arena if it won the slots license for Pittsburgh.

Isle of Capri is in the process of releasing the hockey team from its obligation not to discuss an alternate arena plan.

"It's merely a formality at this point," said spokesman Les McMackin. "We're certainly not holding it up right now."

In their letter, the elected officials reiterated the 30-year, $290 million arena deal -- often called Plan B -- that they first presented in March:

= Majestic Star Casino, which won the slots license, would pay $7.5 million a year toward the arena.

= The state would provide $7 million a year from an economic development fund backed by slots money.

= The team would have to pay, too -- $8.5 million upfront and $2.9 million a year, while forgoing $1.16 million a year in naming rights.

"We appreciate the positive tone of your recent public comments and look forward to seeing what has been described as a plan that is significantly better than the original 'Plan B,' " Lemieux and Burkle wrote.

They asked for the meeting to take place in the late afternoon and to include team President Ken Sawyer and consultants David Morehouse and Chuck Greenberg.

The city-county Sports & Exhibition Authority owns the land for an Uptown arena and plans to begin demolishing properties there next month. The authority expects to have the land ready for a groundbreaking before September.

"We have acquired the necessary land within the footprint designated by the Penguins and have continued to work on the design and financing plans," the elected officials wrote.

They'll stay, unless the Politicians are TOTAL morans. This may be the last shot.

[Maz]

Anyone whos seen the movie will get this...

[Ez Street]

D'Oh!

Well, you guys better hope they can get close to an agreement next Thursday. Otherwise, it is not looking good at all.

I see this as Lemieux's last effort to get a deal done. If nothing happens or they don't get close...it's over.

Then again, this may just be a formality. they may have already decided to move.

The politicians better be ready to give a lot. Mario has all the negotiating power.

[Maz]

It can really go either way now. It is sudden death. Either they stay or go.

Get ready pens fans.