Rock Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 Westhead: Odds against Penguins staying put Dec. 8, 2005. 05:36 AM RICK WESTHEAD http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentSe...l=1044442957278 Considering Sidney Crosby's quick rise to stardom, it's hard to imagine that his No.87 Penguins jersey could be on the discount rack in just a few years. After all, midway through his rookie season, Crosby has done nearly everything the Penguins could have hoped. He's neck and neck with Washington's Alexander Ovechkin as the league's top first-year scorer, he's displayed a nice mix of off-ice humility and on-ice chutzpah and his good looks have helped attract the likes of GQ magazine, which last month featured Crosby in an article and photo spread. Yet Crosby's days in Pittsburgh might be numbered and it has nothing to do with the Penguins languishing in last place in the Eastern Conference with only seven wins in 27 games. For months, Crosby's teammate and Penguins owner Mario Lemieux has been in a battle with one Las Vegas heavyweight and several Pittsburgh big shots for the right to acquire a licence from the state of Pennsylvania to operate slot machines. Without the licence, Lemieux argues, the Penguins won't be able to afford to build a new home to replace Mellon Arena, at present the NHL's oldest venue. And without a new, luxury-box-laden arena, the Penguins will be on the move. The only question is where. A glance at Lemieux's adversaries suggests he faces long odds. Among those bidding for the slot machine licence are Harrah's Entertainment, the world's largest gaming company, and Alco Parking, the largest operator of parking facilities in the Pittsburgh area. Racetrack and casino operator MTR Gaming Group Inc., with interests across the U.S., is also bidding. As Lemieux surely has discovered in recent months, things like Stanley Cup rings and All-Star Game appearances matter little in the world of politics. More important are statistics pertaining to who has made the largest political donations and who has the best lobbyists. There's no question that on that front, the Penguins come up short. The family that operates Forest City Enterprises, a local company that has partnered with Harrah's, has contributed $264,942 (U.S.) to the campaigns of elected officials and committees since 2002, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The Penguins, by contrast, have contributed $5,250 through the team's president, Kenneth Sawyer. Pittsburgh parking magnate Merrill Stabile said in an interview that the Penguins face long odds in winning the slot machine contract and financing for a new arena since city taxpayers already have helped to finance the recent construction of Heinz Field, home of the NFL's Steelers, and the Pirates' PNC Park. "There's not enough money to pay for everything," Stabile said. Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy added intrigue to the gaming licence competition when he told reporters in October that the bidding had already been decided. "It's no secret," Murphy said. "The word is out. The fix is in in Pittsburgh." The mayor declined to elaborate on who would win the licence. Bidding groups face a Dec.28 deadline to submit their applications to the state and a decision probably won't be announced until next winter. If the Penguins do pull up stakes, which seems a strong likelihood, a hearty list of cities would covet the last-place club. Several sports investment bankers who have worked on NHL franchise sales say the most likely candidate cities for their relocation are Houston, Oklahoma City Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizDevil30 Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 I would think the frontrunner would be Portland. Wherever they land, I hope the name stays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tretyak 20 Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 I would think the frontrunner would be Portland. Wherever they land, I hope the name stays. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> The city may own the rights to the name. IIRC that's what happened with Winnapeg. Either way, they'll probably get named something stupid and have purple, brown and grey jerseys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadDog2020 Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 I really hope they stay in Pittsburgh. I attended my frehsman year of college out in western PA and they do love hockey more than people may think. Pittsburgh is a good hockey city and it would be a shame to see the Pens move. I would really feel bad for some of the friends I had out there that lived and died with the Pens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJD Jester Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 Two thoughts: 1. Thank God we have Newark, because this could be us. 2. Portland? Meh. OKC is an interesting spot because that's got potential for being a decent hockey town. They've embraced minor league hockey for years there. But I'll say it again: the next NHL to relocate MUST move to Las Vegas. For hockey to be the first pro sport in Sin City would be huge. It helps Phoenix and the California teams, too. <JESTER> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GA Devil Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 Portland is not happening. The most logical place for a team to land would be Houston. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annabelle Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 Portland?? NOOO>...Winnipeg would be a pretty logical place, there are quite a few investors that are intersested in an NHL franchise here...including our mayor who is a millionare and has many ventures like the mts center, Winnipeg Goldeyes, and various real estate ventures. Even thought the MTS is small it is state of the art.....just as long as the team (if we ever get one) is NOT called the JETS...ewww... People seem to love that name here..they want to "carry on the tradition?" Just exactly what tradition would that be? The losing tradition of the Jets??..i dunno..but whatever i'm rambling....NHL IN WINNIPEG!!! Why does it have to be crappy in Jersey today?? Reminds me of Winnipeg..ughhh!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucifersDog Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 I hope they don't have to move. Pittsburgh fans stay loyal long after they leave home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
point Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 Houston makes the most sense. It is a huge market, and they have an insane rivalry with Dallas, which not only has a NHL team, but a Cup to show off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tretyak 20 Posted December 10, 2005 Share Posted December 10, 2005 Portland?? NOOO>...Winnipeg would be a pretty logical place, there are quite a few investors that are intersested in an NHL franchise here...including our mayor who is a millionare and has many ventures like the mts center, Winnipeg Goldeyes, and various real estate ventures. Even thought the MTS is small it is state of the art.....just as long as the team (if we ever get one) is NOT called the JETS...ewww... People seem to love that name here..they want to "carry on the tradition?" Just exactly what tradition would that be? The losing tradition of the Jets??..i dunno..but whatever i'm rambling....NHL IN WINNIPEG!!!Why does it have to be crappy in Jersey today?? Reminds me of Winnipeg..ughhh!! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> But isn't Winnipeg's arena only about 12,000 seats? You'd need at least an 18,000 seat arena to bring in an NHL team, IMO. Too bad, though. I liked the old Jets, and their jerseys were cool, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annabelle Posted December 10, 2005 Share Posted December 10, 2005 I think the mts is about 15000....somewhere around that number anyhow.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkstatto Posted December 10, 2005 Share Posted December 10, 2005 Bring Hockey back to Quebec! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MantaRay Posted December 10, 2005 Share Posted December 10, 2005 The residents of Pittsburgh are strong hockey fans, unfortunately thier politicians aren't. How anyone could build a new 70,000 seat baseball stadium for 10,000 fans is just silly, especially since its close to a 70,000 seat football field. Money would have been better spent on an indoor arean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annabelle Posted December 10, 2005 Share Posted December 10, 2005 Bring Hockey back to Quebec! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Maybe my geography is off..but where's Montreal?? U mean Quebec City?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizDevil30 Posted December 10, 2005 Share Posted December 10, 2005 The residents of Pittsburgh are strong hockey fans, unfortunately thier politicians aren't.How anyone could build a new 70,000 seat baseball stadium for 10,000 fans is just silly, especially since its close to a 70,000 seat football field. Money would have been better spent on an indoor arean <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yeah, where do they have concerts in Pittsburgh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkstatto Posted December 10, 2005 Share Posted December 10, 2005 Maybe my geography is off..but where's Montreal?? U mean Quebec City?? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yes i did thanks, thats me being British again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MantaRay Posted December 10, 2005 Share Posted December 10, 2005 Exactly!!!! Its a reflection of the city not too be able to bring in entertainment or even business events. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triumph Posted December 10, 2005 Share Posted December 10, 2005 Houston while big is an awful sports town - it's like Atlanta in that a lot of the population is from somewhere else and has no interest in the local teams. I don't like the Portland idea either. Las Vegas couldn't support an IHL team. Pro sports are very wary of Las Vegas and there's so much else to do there - I can only see it as a colossal failure. There's nowhere left that can support an NHL franchise. If the Penguins move, it will be to a richer but much less loyal market. That means similar or lower revenues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizDevil30 Posted December 10, 2005 Share Posted December 10, 2005 I think Portland makes the most sense. They already support sports teams, the closest other hockey is Vancouver. Portland has a great sense of local pride. I think they'd welcome a team. And Portland Penguins works, if Pittsburgh doesn't own the rights to the name, but WTF would they do with it once the team in gone anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'7' Posted December 10, 2005 Share Posted December 10, 2005 Tri is right, there is no new market to put an NHL team. Maybe Seattle, but that might be Canucks territory already. And Bettman is probably reluctant to put teams back in cities where he already robbed and pillaged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteyNice Posted December 10, 2005 Share Posted December 10, 2005 Seattle would work if the Sonics get a new arena. The only problem with Portland is that they are so far from Vancouver or San Jose. The Rose Garden is a nice arena and they support their WHL team pretty well. But yeah. The NHL has done the whole expansion thing to death leaving scant few viable markets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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