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January 07, 2007
March of the Penguins
Guess that trip to Kansas City did the trick: Pittsburgh Penguins owner Mario Lemieux is now saying he's "optimistic" about talks with Pittsburgh area officials on a new arena, while sources told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that a deal could be in place as soon as this week.
Meanwhile, word leaked out of exactly what AEG, the sports management firm that has a contract to run K.C.'s new Sprint Center, offered Lemieux to move west: Free rent and no up-front construction costs, but only 50% of arena revenues. (AEG would get the other half, unless the Pens agreed to buy out their management contract for $27 million.) The K.C. Star does report, though, that the Penguins delegation was impressed by what the paper called the "cinergy" of the entertainment district with the arena.
No matter how you spell it, it apparently wasn't enough to make Lemieux give up on squeezing more money out of Pittsburgh first - either that, or Mario decided he just doesn't like barbecue.
Lemieux commitment to Pittsburgh shows, he is a fool to turn away that sweetheart deal. Even with only 50% of arena revenue, living rent free with no construction costs is a pretty sweet deal.
Posted by Mike on January 8, 2007 09:50 PM
really mike it is the unknowns of what kansas city would do as far as gate and revenues. I don't think you can use the Scouts in the 1970's as a true gauge of what would go on today but it certainly is a big consideration.
You don't hear the city of cleveland making a play for the pens. quebec city is not there along with winnipeg.
Hartford is making some noises but that is it for places who had NHL teams and lost them KC. Others spoken of are las vegas, portland and houston. To me Las vegas may have the spectre of gambling but wasnt the deal to keep the pens in pittsburgh dependant on IOC being granted a slots license?
I think Mario does have to have options and make the right decisions. Working out an arena deal and staying in pittsburgh might be his best option and I am sure he would like to stay as he has been part of the city his entire professional life.
That is rare for a hall of famer in this day and age.
The kansas city deal may be sweet but it could devalue the franchise if kansas city turned out to be a bust for the NHL again.
paul
Posted by paul on January 10, 2007 09:01 AM