Cuban & Marino trying to buy Penguins

[Jason Harris 31]

From ESPN:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2502308

[kosydar 0]

I'd just assume that because Marino is involved that means the Pens would stay in Pittsburgh. While thats bad, from what little I know about the NBA it seems like Cuban is dedicating to spending a lot of money to build a winning team.

[QandA 0]

I can only see great things to come from this. Both dedicated men, who want to win, something Pittsburgh needs, along with the stability they will provide financially.

[Chadd 916]

Cuban wanted to buy the team but the NHL wanted nothing to do with him. Rumor is they told him the Board of Governors would only approve Mario.

[theone96 0]

The NHL can use the press time that Cuban will bring

[Chadd 916]

The NHL can use the press time that Cuban will bring

The money he's willing to pay in fines couldn't hurt either.

[jay 1]

Cuban is awesome. If he owned a hockey team, people would start paying attention because he demands attention. But nooooo... the NHL doesn't need any publicity. They're doing just fine with their .00000000000000000000000000002 percent TV audience.

[mack 44]

Cuban would bring nothing but good into the league. He's got high expectations from his players and treats them better than any other owner in sports. He's proven himself worthy of taking a 'dead' franchise and making them a winner and will spend the money necessary to get them there.

Dan Marino? Uh...well he was in "Ace Ventura."

[QandA 0]

Dan Marino? Uh...well he was in "Ace Ventura."

And Bad Boys II! If hired, I'm sure Mr. Cherry will be ripping him apart within a month!

[RadioGaGa 162]

Mark Cuban (on TSN's OTR a while back) said that the NHL will flurish on TV when HD/Widescreen is in more homes....HMMMM....what does Mark Cuban own...an HD broadcast station/network (or whatever).

He took a bad Dallas team and turned them in consistant winners in what 5 years? Sounds good for Pitt.

Marino scares me though. Remember when he took the big job with the 'Phins, and then just quit like a week later? I doubt he's in for the long haul...Cuban is.

[Jason Harris 31]

Marino scares me though. Remember when he took the big job with the 'Phins, and then just quit like a week later? I doubt he's in for the long haul...Cuban is.

That's a little different. The Miami gig was a job, while this would be ownership. Also, he's a Pittsburgh area native; maybe he no longer wanted to live in Miami.

[LegoDoom 0]

Mark Cuban (on TSN's OTR a while back) said that the NHL will flurish on TV when HD/Widescreen is in more homes....HMMMM....what does Mark Cuban own...an HD broadcast station/network (or whatever).

I said the same thing about the NHL and HD. I think the year off came at a bad time for the game.

It'd be stupid for the NHL to not want him as an owner.

[Trooper 8]

They will be minority owners. Their names add credibility to the offer and increase the likelihood the Pens will stay here.

[trucks 0]

the first thing id do if i bought the pens is bring them to toronto, pay the leafs 75 million and can prolly get the team for 150 million. however much it costs to build a rink on the outskirts of the city but still on the subway line. with that pens team youd be laughing all the way to the bank with the amount of leafs fan youll get converting once your team starts doing better which is inevitable with pittsburghs young stars and torontos lack thereof. thats just my dream though and i highly doubt itll happen if these guys get the ownership as they seem pretty tight on sticking with pittsburgh.

[kosydar 0]

You're right. I'm sure Leafs fans will all follow the Penguins as soon as they move to the GTA. All of this makes sense to me, especially the part where the Penguins have $75 million.

[trucks 0]

i didnt say all leafs fans would but i know a lot of people are fed up with the leafs ownership, especially after overpayign for bryan mccabe and in a few years when crosby, malkin, stall, fleury and others develop theres no doubt with good ownership theyll be better then the leafs and will make the playoffs more consistently and im sure with the million or so people in the gta theyd be able to sell out and make money. and the penguisn doint have 75 million but im sure new owners will, mark cuban is a billionaire remember.

[Chadd 916]

If the NY metro area can support three teams, why not Toronto where hockey is a lot more visible?

[shnuggs 0]

Toronto could definetly support the team--- but the fans wouldnt. Trust me no one would be caught dead wearing a toronto penguins jersey-- would be way to "uncool" - at least for the first few years. Nobody would want to be those select few who first decide to turn there backs on years of tradition supporting the maple leafs - for some dysfunctional new franchise.

[Chadd 916]

Toronto could definetly support the team--- but the fans wouldnt. Trust me no one would be caught dead wearing a toronto penguins jersey-- would be way to "uncool" - at least for the first few years. Nobody would want to be those select few who first decide to turn there backs on years of tradition supporting the maple leafs - for some dysfunctional new franchise.

Devils had the same problems but I don;t think it would take as long to get established. Sure they wouldn't ever be the primary team in town but they could certainly do better there.

[shnuggs 0]

Ya they would probably still have a better turn out. It would be great if they put them in GTA area-- instead of downtown Toronto-- Like across from the York U campus -- giving them there own identity -- techincally they wouldnt even be in toronto. Cheaper tickets and beer -- with all the families in the area it would do well. What would be great is 10-20 years down the line - they can build up a nice rivalry -- both eastern conference teams -- meeting in the playoffs-- would be great -- like the Mets and Yankees. The slogan for Vaughan is already "the city above toronto" - sounds like it was almost meant to be :)

[kosydar 0]

but i know a lot of people are fed up with the leafs ownership, especially after overpayign for bryan mccabe and in a few years when crosby, malkin, stall, fleury and others develop theres no doubt with good ownership theyll be better then the leafs and will make the playoffs more consistently

You know you can't just say that one team will be better than another in the future, right? So many things could happen, such as all of the young Penguins either failing, or going to other teams. As is, there is no reason for anyone to believe that the Pens will ever have a winning season again. They have a boatload of young talent, but until proven otherwise, its just potential. Besides, with a team like Toronto that has such a drastic turn around from year to year, who knows how they'll be a few years into the future. Regardless, I'll take them in the future over the Pens any day.

[McCabe24 0]

Toronto hockey fans don't even want to watch their own prospects play, let alone another team's. Pittsburgh is overrated anyway, how long are they going to be awesome in a couple years for? Even if they do translate the potential the team will be dismantled as soon as Crosby, Malkin, etc. have to sign true contracts.

I don't see how moving all the marketable teams to major marketrs serves a purpose, an entertaining on ice product is supposed to draw in new fans in non-traditional hockey markets. If it did happen though, there is a lot of surrounding area where the team could draw a building. Remember though, it can't be too close to Toronto or Buffalo.

[Eazy_b97 1]

Toronto is essentially Leaf Town. The Leaf Haters may flock to a Penguins team, but not until they are good. Regionally you'll see Leafs, Habs or Sens/Wings fans because of the history or talent on the team. Next season you'll have a few more Sabres fans pop up out of the woodwork. In order for a non-Leaf team to survive they would have to be consistantly good year in and year out.

[Fire0nIce228 1]

can anyone tell me why Mike Lange got fired?

[kingjames23rulz 0]

i jsut got back from Pit.......real nice city and i wouldnt mind living there...their downtown is nice unlike here in Det....where you cant feel safe going to watch our GREAT TIGERS!!!