December 16, 2005
Pittsburgh mulls Penguins subsidy
San Jose isn't the only city succumbing to relocation blackmail: Allegheny County chief executive Dan Onorato declared this week that as Pittsburgh is reaching "crisis time as it relates to the Penguins," he'd consider spending $90 million in state capital funds on a new arena project. (Other local electeds seemed less sure about the subsidy, but said they'd consider it.) This after Pens owner/player/legend Mario Lemieux said last weekend there was only a "slim chance" the team would stay in Pittsburgh. Be right back - I've gotta go make a call to my landlord...
Just as Los Angeles not having an NFL team serves the NFL well in pressuring cities to pony up incentives to keep teams. I think we're beginning to see that the under construction Sprint Center in Kansas City will be the de facto NBA/NHL relocation threat to existing NBA/NHL communities.
Posted by Andy Mead on December 16, 2005 02:29 PM
Maybe the Wizards would draw more supporters if they played in that new Arena than at Arrowhead? Seriously though.... what's the word on SSS in KC?
Posted by Bertell Ollman on December 16, 2005 05:11 PM
Not a whole heckuva lot: http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/13427145.htm
Posted by Neil on December 17, 2005 03:42 AM