Thursday, December 21, 2006
A disheartend Penguins fan's rant
Just when the team the explosive trio of Sidney Crosby, Jordan Stall and Evgeni Malkin, and has an average about .500, and can score eight goals in one night, the politicians in Pennsylvania told the Pittsbugh Penguins go take a hike.
It is a sad day in Pittsburgh and even sadder for Pens fans.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are off the market, and owner Mario Lemieux says the team will look at relocating.
"It is time to take control of our own destiny," Hall of Famer Lemieux said in a statement issued by the team Thursday.
"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," Lemieux said.
You have to remember that Mario Lemieux is the savior of hockey in Pittsburgh. After bankrupcy, the team could have been sold to the highest bidder and shipped elsewhere. Instead, Mario took the initiative to find a few investors and eat the amount the team owed him as a player and formed the ownership group. If he didn't, there would be one less team wearing the black and gold.
The Penguins are now free to move when the season ends following a state panel's rejection Wednesday of a casino company's offer to build the team a new arena for free.
Lemieux said talks will begin shortly with state and local leaders about a new arena but added a move outside Pennsylvania is another option.
"Accordingly, starting today, the team is off the market," Lemieux said, "and we will begin to explore relocation offers in cities outside Pennsylvania."
The team had lobbied for Isle of Capri Casinos to be granted a license to operate slot machines in Pittsburgh, as the developer had pledged to build a new arena at no cost to the Penguins to replace 45-year-old Mellon Arena. But the board instead awarded the license to Detroit-based casino developer Don H. Barden's PITG Gaming. Barden's group proposes building a casino and entertainment development on the city's North Shore, near Heinz Field and PNC Park -- a plan the Steelers and Pirates both strongly opposed.
The Isle of Capri rejection came only five days after Balsillie unexpectedly pulled out of his $175 million deal to buy the franchise, apparently because the NHL wanted him to commit to not moving the Penguins. Balsillie had been expected to close on the deal late last week.
I don't so much mind not having a new owner. I think Mario has done a fine job with the team as take a good look at what is on the ice. The organization is heading in the right direction on the ice. The problem is that the Mellon Area is a dump to put it nicely. It is an eyesore in the skyline.
The hypocracy of the local Pennsylvania authorities is that the lowly Pirates received a state-of-the art facility. The Steelers were rewarded one as well. Both are stunning and amazing facilities. If there ever was an example of a downtown redevelopment with professional sports stadiums, Pittsburgh nailed it.
The city needs to come to its senses and realize what they may lose. The Pens could be Stanley Cup champions in a few years. Maybe next year at the earliest. Do they want the Cup to be celebrated elsewhere?
Labels: Sports
