http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2740587 PA Gov. Ed Rendell may ask NHL to intercede if Pens try to move PITTSBURGH -- Gov. Ed Rendell said Tuesday that should arena negotiations with the Pittsburgh Penguins break down and the team decide to move, the state might ask the National Hockey League to intercede. Rendell, responding to Penguins owner Mario Lemieux's comments that last week's arena talks had taken a step backward, said the latest proposal is so good that he can't imagine that the NHL would allow the Penguins to leave. "Is there a possibility that they will decide to leave? Yes, there is," Rendell said. "But is there a possibility we would go to the NHL board of governors and say, 'Hey, if you let them leave, no city is safe?' Sure." Rendell added, "But, again, we don't want to reach that stage. We will continue to work it out, we will continue to work on the deal and do the very best we can." According to Rendell, the latest proposal calls for the Penguins to pay less than 18 percent of the arena's cost -- a reference to the percentage of PNC Park's construction covered by the Pirates. The Penguins' arena is projected at $290 million, but could cost more. The state's other major sports teams -- the NFL's Eagles and Steelers, the NBA's 76ers, the NHL's Flyers and baseball's Phillies -- all paid a higher percentage, Rendell said. Philadelphia's 76ers and Flyers share the Wachovia Center, which was built mostly with private funds. As one incentive, the Penguins would keep all revenue for non-hockey events, except for some parking fees -- a provision that could net them millions of dollars per year. However, Lemieux said he was "very disappointed" with Thursday's negotiations involving the team and state, county and city leaders. The Penguins were surprised when they were asked to share development rights near Mellon Arena with Detroit businessman Don Barden. The successful bidder for a Pittsburgh slot machines parlor, Barden has agreed to contribute $7.5 million per year to the arena. "As always, we're going to explore our options," Lemieux said in Dallas, where he is attending the NHL All-Star Game. "When we get a deal we like, we'll sign it." Penguins officials, including Lemieux, visited Kansas City immediately before the first round of arena talks Jan. 4. The team is weighing whether to visit Houston's Toyota Center. "Sooner or later, we're just going to make a decision and go with it," Lemieux said. At his All-Star news conference Tuesday, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said there was no set date for the Penguins to decide whether to stay or leave. "My hope is that a building on terms that make sense to the franchise will be achievable in Pittsburgh and this will become a non-issue," Bettman said. "But at some point in the not-too-distant future, in a matter of weeks, we have to start focusing with some certainty on what the (2007-08) schedule is going to look like. "Time is of the essence, but I wouldn't want to portray an urgency today," he said. The Penguins, despite playing in an outdated arena, are considered one of the league's strongest U.S. franchises. They are playing to nearly 95 percent of arena capacity -- a much higher percentage than teams based in Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Washington, Miami and Atlanta. Despite the lack of progress last week, Rendell said he is not discouraged. "I've done about four of these stadium negotiations either as mayor [of Philadelphia] or governor and this is the way it goes," Rendell said. "One side says things are looking good, then the other side says 'No, you haven't satisfied our demands, we're going to look elsewhere.' There's give and take." Since their inception 40 years ago, the Penguins have played in Mellon Arena, which was built in 1961 and is the NHL's oldest arena. Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
i feel bad for the Pens and the city of Pittsburgh. They have great Hockey fans. In my younger days, I was a fan of the Pens. I like Mario's game, and his story, so that's why I was a fan seeing as we didn't have an NHL team. They got a building for the Pirates and the Steelers. Of course they got one for the Steelers, that's a shoe in. The Pens deserve one too.
610 is reporting that the Mayor's office knows of no plans for the Pens' ownership to come here to talk about relocation. It's all smokescreen. Only one man in this town can viably own an NHL team, and that man doesn't appear interested. That absolutely sucks.
? Les said he would like to own an NHL team and Lemiuex (spelling) said he was coming during the All Star Game in Dallas.
Les said he wanted to own an NHL team in years past. His statements in the recent past have been very guarded..saying it would have to be a really great deal for him to get interested. He's been absolutely silent about the Pens here recently. Maybe I heard it wrong. It was during one of Jeremy's sportsflashes. He said the Mayor's office had no indication they were actually coming here to visit.
Yea... even if a team simply moving was simpler (it never is)... the fact that its a team as historic as the Pittsburgh Penguins, who play in a city and a state that has found a way to finance FIVE new stadiums in the past 6 years, and who are currently owned by a man who is a LIVING LEGEND in that city (and would be risking permanent villification if he actually moved them, or was responsible for them moving). I know business is buisness... and teams like the North Stars and Whalers found a way to leave... but I still think this is a very unlikely scenario, and its all posturing.
i would have agreed with you BEFORE the labor deal. i don't agree with you anymore. it has nowhere to go but up.
Nothing is confirmed but this certainly is progress for those of us that want to see the Pens stay put.
I know this is dragging up a thread, but I heard the Wildcatters are staying put and dropping to a league with cheaper travel (probably the Central Hockey League).
I haven't heard that but it wouldn't surprise me especially with no La. team and Miss. still uncertain to play next season. It probably would not happen until after next season, when the lease agreement runs out. They are basically playing in the arena for free this year and next because of the debacle with the canceling of last season.
