Penguins declare impasse in arena talks

[max]

 

I am not happy about this at all. I hope this threat is just a threat and something gets completed very soon.

 

 

Penguins declare impasse in arena talks

Will pursue other offers aggressively, letter says

 

Monday, March 05, 2007

By Mark Belko, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

The Penguins have declared an impasse in negotiations with government officials over construction of a new arena and will aggressively explore relocating the team to a new city.

 

 

 

 

 

Penguins co-owners Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle notified Gov. Ed Rendell, Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato and Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl about their decision in a letter today.

 

The team is declaring an impasse even though it has agreed to pay $3.6 million a year in rent, plus another $400,000 a year in capital expenses, for an annual contribution of $4 million, for a new arena.

 

They also have agreed to pay $500,000 for a parking garage to be built as part of the arena complex.

 

Despite that, the parties have been unable to reach an agreement.

 

"Unfortunately, we still don't have a deal and are faced with mounting uncertainty that an agreement can be reached in a time frame that is realistic for our organization," the letter states. "Therefore, we have no choice but to declare an impasse and to notify NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman that we will aggressively explore relocation."

 

Mr. Onorato today expressed surprise over the letter.

 

He said he still thinks the parties are close to terms and said he would do what he can to salvage the talks, including bringing together all the parties.

 

The team owners also said in the letter that Friday's appeals on the Pittsburgh slots license "cause us great concern." Don Barden, the winning casino bidder, has pledged $7.5 million a year from slots proceeds toward an arena. But with appeals filed against the award, construction of the casino could be delayed and it is not clear when arena payments could begin.

 

"A project of this scope, with so many complex issues, can ill afford further delays that add more risk and more uncertainty," the letter continues. "The risk has been magnified by what we perceive as a lack of collaboration from the public sector in the negotiations."

 

One of the last straws came Friday when public officials refused to share interest rate information with the team regarding the state's financial assumptions, according to sources close to the Penguins.

 

The Penguins have increased their contribution from $2.86 million per year, which was part of the original offer that was presented by state and local leaders at a meeting Jan. 4.

 

The team now is expected to be more aggressive in bargaining with Kansas City, which has a nearly finished new arena but no hockey team.

 

The declaration of an impasse doesn't mean the Penguins have definitely decided to leave, but at this point there is no indication they intend to talk any more with local officials.

 

The team said it had already extended its original deadline of early February because it was interested in staying in Pittsburgh.

 

"Our good faith efforts have not produced a deal, however, and have only added more anxiety to what we thought at best was a risky proposition for us moving forward."

Edited March 6, 2007 by max

[jjpro11]

this f'n sucks.. i hate politicians.

[SeductiveNun]

First off, let me say I know how much this has to suck for Penguins fans. The team is finally coming around with some outstanding young talent, and the fans are the ones who are going to get the rug pulled out from under them. Trust me, as a North Stars fan, I know how you feel.

 

Secondly, the choices for relocation are a sure sign that Bettman still has his head up his ass. Kansas City? You have got to be kidding me. Other choices I have seen listed in other articles are Portland and Houston. Portland may be able to make it work. Houston though? Not a f'n chance. Not to mention Winnipeg has a new arena and have been waiting patiently for a team to return there. Hell no, can't move a team back to Canada though, let's keep exploring those southern markets with absolutely zero fan base.

 

Bettman is an ass.

 

And I truly hope somehow Pittsburgh gets it shizznit together and finds a way to keep the Pens there.

[isleseeya]

I agree ...pens need and must find a way to stay in pittsburgh

 

Crosby is a star and stud and the pens fans deserved to keep him and their team in that city for sure

[wildcat2334]

isn't this in the wrong forum? Penguins? Arena's? Impasses?

 

figure skating posts should probably go in the Tailgate..........

[Hugh 0ne]

isn't this in the wrong forum? Penguins? Arena's? Impasses?

 

figure skating posts should probably go in the Tailgate..........

 

Shouldn't you be gobbling Swerski's knob somewhere? Scoot.

 

Governer of PA asks NHL not to allow Pens to move: http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2789957

 

The Government of PA have to be the biggest bunch of f*cking r*tards this side of TimC's neighborhood if they let the Pens leave. They have one of the best small market fan base, and probably the most attractive package the NHL has to offer regarding talent and youth. The Pens could be a force in the NHL for a decade, and Pittsburgh is considering passing on them. Bunch of idiotic c*cksuckers.

[max]

Shouldn't you be gobbling Swerski's knob somewhere? Scoot.

 

Governer of PA asks NHL not to allow Pens to move: http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2789957

 

The Government of PA have to be the biggest bunch of f*cking r*tards this side of TimC's neighborhood if they let the Pens leave. They have one of the best small market fan base, and probably the most attractive package the NHL has to offer regarding talent and youth. The Pens could be a force in the NHL for a decade, and Pittsburgh is considering passing on them. Bunch of idiotic c*cksuckers.

 

We have talked about this before H1 and just like before I couldn't agree with you more. They better get this deal done soon. The fate of the Pens is on the shoulders of Rendell, Onorato and a mayor that was 3 when Mario was drafted

Edited March 7, 2007 by max

[Caveman_Nick]

Should the state, and more importantly the Pennsylvania taxpayers as a whole, really have to bear any responsibility to support a sports organization? The Penguins are privaltely owned, no?

 

JMO, but I am against tax money going towards this kind of expenditure. What happens if the NHL folds? Then the taxpayers are stuck with the bill?

 

Would the state own the arena? So then the PA Govt. is now a landlord to a sports team and a bunch of slot machines?

 

I was happy when the Patriots financed a new stadium privately, and was against the state spending money to build a new ballpark for the Red Sox. Unless there is some reason why this situation with the Penguins is different, then I think the organization needs to make it's own way in finding adequate facilities in which to conduct it's business. Government should be in the business of government, no more and no less, and tax dollars should be spent to benefit the people, not private companies that pay their employees millions of dollars.

[max]

Should the state, and more importantly the Pennsylvania taxpayers as a whole, really have to bear any responsibility to support a sports organization? The Penguins are privaltely owned, no?

 

JMO, but I am against tax money going towards this kind of expenditure. What happens if the NHL folds? Then the taxpayers are stuck with the bill?

 

Would the state own the arena? So then the PA Govt. is now a landlord to a sports team and a bunch of slot machines?

 

I was happy when the Patriots financed a new stadium privately, and was against the state spending money to build a new ballpark for the Red Sox. Unless there is some reason why this situation with the Penguins is different, then I think the organization needs to make it's own way in finding adequate facilities in which to conduct it's business. Government should be in the business of government, no more and no less, and tax dollars should be spent to benefit the people, not private companies that pay their employees millions of dollars.

 

 

 

There was a group in the hunt for the casino license that had offered to pay the entire arena bill but they did not get awarded the license. They are still claiming that with the current proposal that it will not hit the tax payers pockets. I guess that will remain to be seen.

[Caveman_Nick]

There was a group in the hunt for the casino license that had offered to pay the entire arena bill but they did not get awarded the license. They are still claiming that with the current proposal that it will not hit the tax payers pockets. I guess that will remain to be seen.

 

 

That would make complete sense. I have no idea why the Gov't has to play nanny and not let people gamble if they want, so I hope that works out!

[Hugh 0ne]

That would make complete sense. I have no idea why the Gov't has to play nanny and not let people gamble if they want, so I hope that works out!

 

 

Stick to football, and stick to Bahhston sports, momo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Hugh 0ne]

For the record, anyone who watched the Pens come back from a 4-1 deficit against a very good Ottawa team on the road knows exactly how exciting this team is.

[max]

Looks like tomorrow could be a pretty important day for all of this ....

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2790621

 

Bettman to try to settle drama; Pens owners eye Vegas

ESPN.com news services

 

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman reportedly will try to settle the Penguins' possible relocation drama on Thursday in Philadelphia.

 

The Sports Network of Canada reported that Bettman will meet with the Penguins and representatives of Pittsburgh. TSN reported that the meeting is considered key to the future of the Penguins remaining in Pittsburgh despite owner Ron Burkle traveling to Las Vegas on Wednesday to meet with the mayor and discuss the possibility of relocating the team there.

 

Burnside: NHL in precarious spot

Scott Burnside

The path being charted by the Penguins suddenly puts NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, or the league as a whole, in a potentially ugly pickle, writes Scott Burnside. Story

 

An unnamed source told TSN that the meeting likely will bring ''closure, one way or another.''

 

Burkle, who lives in Los Angeles, led a delegation in talks with Las Vegas Mayor Oscar B. Goodman, according to Penguins spokesman Tom McMillan.

 

Meanwhile, Burkle and co-owner Mario Lemieux all prepared to meet with state, county and local officials on Thursday in Philadelphia to try to resolve differences over plans for a new arena in Pittsburgh.

 

Elena Owens, a spokeswoman for Goodman, confirmed the meeting with Penguins officials and said, "they had a very pleasant conversation." She declined to elaborate.

 

The Penguins issued a letter Monday saying the team planned to actively pursue relocation. It blamed government officials for failing to reach a deal to build a new arena in Pittsburgh.

 

In the letter, Lemieux and Burkle said negotiations had stalled, even though the team agreed to pay $120 million over 30 years toward a new $290 million arena and to cover any cost overruns.

 

Gov. Ed Rendell said Wednesday he was optimistic the team would remain in Pittsburgh. A day earlier, Rendell's office said the governor has put "an exceptionally attractive offer on the table." He later said officials would ask the NHL to intervene if the team didn't accept the deal.

 

Officials in Kansas City have offered the Penguins free rent and half of all revenues if they agree to play in the soon-to-be-completed $262 million Sprint Center.

 

The Penguins' lease at 46-year-old Mellon Arena, the oldest facility in the league, expires June 30. The Penguins have repeatedly said they may move, or sell the team to a buyer who would relocate the franchise if an arena deal isn't in place by then.

 

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

[Hugh 0ne]

Well, Bettman's involved now, so that means it'll turn into a complete clusterf*ck.

[SeductiveNun]

Well, Bettman's involved now, so that means it'll turn into a complete clusterf*ck.

 

Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you the newest member of the National Hockey League, the Honolulu Penguins!!! Because that's just another fabulous market waiting to be tapped.

 

At least that's a pretty accurate description of Bettman's mindset.

[Hugh 0ne]

Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you the newest member of the National Hockey League, the Honolulu Penguins!!! Because that's just another fabulous market waiting to be tapped.

 

At least that's a pretty accurate description of Bettman's mindset.

 

Bettman takes it in the ass, NTTAWWT. I met him at a Kohl's store here in Rockland County (where he resides). He was buying a razor. He was on the phone, he was talking and I heard him say "The Oilers are going to love that". It was just after the hockey strike ended. I should have gone up to him and beat the f*ck out of him. Instead, I went over to him, shook his hand, and told him it was great to have the NHL back. Sometimes I'm such a p*ssy.

[max]

Hugh, I found this site and thought you may like to check it out. http://www.keepthepens.com/

 

Hope the Pens get the win tonight. Very strong 1st period and Fleury looked strong. He had a brain fart with the 1st goal in the 2nd. Hopefully the Pens will have a strong 3rd period tonight again.

Edited March 9, 2007 by max

[godtomsatan]

Why do taxpayers have to foot the bill?

[max]

Why do taxpayers have to foot the bill?

 

 

 

There was a group in the hunt for the casino license that had offered to pay the entire arena bill but they did not get awarded the license. Another group got the license and that group is funding part of it. They (the local politicians) are still claiming that with the current proposal that it will not hit the tax payers pockets. I guess that will remain to be seen.

[jaxfactor]

Hugh, I found this site and thought you may like to check it out. http://www.keepthepens.com/

 

Hope the Pens get the win tonight. Very strong 1st period and Fleury looked strong. He had a brain fart with the 1st goal in the 2nd. Hopefully the Pens will have a strong 3rd period tonight again.

 

 

I have been totally silent on this topic until now. I'M MAD AS HELL, AND I'M NOT GONNA TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!!

 

You think I should get the Post Office involved? Holding a gun to someone's head does get things accomplished fairly quickly.

 

Oh, and thanks for the link Max!

[Hugh 0ne]

When will this flipping thing finally be over?

 

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=199359&hubname=

 

Talks to resume on Wednesday, and mums the word until then.

[Chief Dick]

I'm just curious: has the government jacked this up, the citizens of Pittsburgh, or both?

 

Let me give you some KC perspective.

 

1. Kansas City will not be able to support this team long term. KC is the type of town where we get behind something for about 5 years, and eventually we get bored and move on to the next big entertainment option here.

 

2. Most people I know are NOT clamoring to get an NHL team. And we certainly don't want to steal another cities team. The KC contingent to go after the Penguins is AEG, who was hired to manage the new Sprint Center. They are not from Kansas City. THEY are the ones trying to get a main tenant for the building. The citizenship of KC is lukewarm at best.

 

3. We have lost a sports team like this before (the basketball Kings). Broke my heart when they left town. And we certainly do not want to do that to another city.

 

4. The citizenship of Kansas City DID vote to build the new arena. We needed it.

 

So I don't know whose fault this is. Is it the city of Pittsburgh allowing this to happen? My gut tells me yes. AEG and Kansas City just happens to have an alternative in place, and I personally believe Pittsburgh is using KC as leverage to get a deal done.

 

I believe the Pens stay in Pittsburgh, which is where they belong.

[max]

I'm just curious: has the government jacked this up, the citizens of Pittsburgh, or both?

 

Let me give you some KC perspective.

 

1. Kansas City will not be able to support this team long term. KC is the type of town where we get behind something for about 5 years, and eventually we get bored and move on to the next big entertainment option here.

 

2. Most people I know are NOT clamoring to get an NHL team. And we certainly don't want to steal another cities team. The KC contingent to go after the Penguins is AEG, who was hired to manage the new Sprint Center. They are not from Kansas City. THEY are the ones trying to get a main tenant for the building. The citizenship of KC is lukewarm at best.

 

3. We have lost a sports team like this before (the basketball Kings). Broke my heart when they left town. And we certainly do not want to do that to another city.

 

4. The citizenship of Kansas City DID vote to build the new arena. We needed it.

 

So I don't know whose fault this is. Is it the city of Pittsburgh allowing this to happen? My gut tells me yes. AEG and Kansas City just happens to have an alternative in place, and I personally believe Pittsburgh is using KC as leverage to get a deal done.

 

I believe the Pens stay in Pittsburgh, which is where they belong.

 

 

 

I think it is a combination of the government officials and the pens ownership just butting heads when it came to the Casino license. There were 3 groups in the running fort the casino license (Isle of Capri, The Harrah's Group and PTG) The Pens were behind Isle of Capri because they had a deal with the Pens and had committed to building a new arena at no cost to the Pens or the Tax Payers. The Pens ownership were campaigning for that group heavily. From square one Rendell and the Pittsburgh government officials were talking of a "Plan B" which the Pens were totally opposed to because it required the Pens to pay for part of the new arena. Isle of Capri and The Harrah's Group were campaigning big time for the license while PTG didn't say much. In the end PTG got the Casino License.

 

There is also rumor that PTG has help fund Gov Rendell's campaigns for election in the past too. While I have no documentation to support this statement it wouldnt exactly surprise me either.

 

This entire thing with the Pens and the possibility of leaving came down to the Casino thing.

Edited March 11, 2007 by max

[Hugh 0ne]

I'm just curious: has the government jacked this up, the citizens of Pittsburgh, or both?

 

Let me give you some KC perspective.

 

1. Kansas City will not be able to support this team long term. KC is the type of town where we get behind something for about 5 years, and eventually we get bored and move on to the next big entertainment option here.

 

2. Most people I know are NOT clamoring to get an NHL team. And we certainly don't want to steal another cities team. The KC contingent to go after the Penguins is AEG, who was hired to manage the new Sprint Center. They are not from Kansas City. THEY are the ones trying to get a main tenant for the building. The citizenship of KC is lukewarm at best.

 

3. We have lost a sports team like this before (the basketball Kings). Broke my heart when they left town. And we certainly do not want to do that to another city.

 

4. The citizenship of Kansas City DID vote to build the new arena. We needed it.

 

So I don't know whose fault this is. Is it the city of Pittsburgh allowing this to happen? My gut tells me yes. AEG and Kansas City just happens to have an alternative in place, and I personally believe Pittsburgh is using KC as leverage to get a deal done.

 

I believe the Pens stay in Pittsburgh, which is where they belong.

 

 

Very interesting. Thanks for the input CD. Great to hear what the "real" KC thinks about this ordeal.

 

For the record, the Pens aren't going anywhere. If Rendell wasn't such a f*cking ass hole, this thing would have been resolved earlier. Instead, the emotions of a lot of people (both in PA and KC) had to get all shook up. This deal will be done within a week and the Pens will stay on the Burgh, where they belong.

 

I'd like to thank KC for thei interest though, and I think they had a lot to offer, and if the Pens were to move, I think KC would be a fine place.

[jaxfactor]

Very interesting. Thanks for the input CD. Great to hear what the "real" KC thinks about this ordeal.

 

For the record, the Pens aren't going anywhere. If Rendell wasn't such a f*cking ass hole, this thing would have been resolved earlier. Instead, the emotions of a lot of people (both in PA and KC) had to get all shook up. This deal will be done within a week and the Pens will stay on the Burgh, where they belong.

 

I'd like to thank KC for thei interest though, and I think they had a lot to offer, and if the Pens were to move, I think KC would be a fine place.

 

 

I hope you're right H1. I don't get to see them much living in FL and not paying ffor the hockey package from Directv. I can usually see them lose to Tampa(that freekin' team has our number) or when playing Florida. Otherwise have to wait for sorry ass Versus to put them on. What really sucks about Versus is they don't even have any games on Saturday nights. I long for the days with my big analog dish where I used to get Hockey Night In Canada and the Pittsburgh feeds. My old roommate was a pro at finding wild feeds. He used to find KDKA back when they showed Pens games(don't know if they still do). Here's to hoping the Pens stay where they belong.