Pens Sold

[Hobbes_86 0]

Just heard that the Pens have been sold to a group out of Ontario. Supposedly the team will not be moved if a new arena is approved.

News

[Quintin 16]

Where'd you hear this? Seems like it's going to Hamilton then.

[Hobbes_86 0]

Ch 4 ABC in Pitt. They reported that official word will be released tomorrow.

[RadioGaGa 162]

Where'd you hear this? Seems like it's going to Hamilton then.

There were less 8,000 for a preseason game at Copps last month (Pitt-Buf). They won't bring the team here...besides, Copps needs about $80-100 Millioin in upgrades to host NHL hockey.

[Hobbes_86 0]

That still is a lot less that $225-$290 mil that I've been hearing.

I dunno I am hopeful the Pens stay in Pitt but if the PA Gaming Board doesn't get off their butts soon and make a decision I see the Pens leaving town in the middle of the night ala Colts style.

Question, how much weight does Bettman have in the decision if the owners want to move the Pens?

[RadioGaGa 162]

That still is a lot less that $225-$290 mil that I've been hearing.

I dunno I am hopeful the Pens stay in Pitt but if the PA Gaming Board doesn't get off their butts soon and make a decision I see the Pens leaving town in the middle of the night ala Colts style.

Question, how much weight does Bettman have in the decision if the owners want to move the Pens?

What is the $225-290? The purchase price for the team, or the price of the proposed facility in Pittsburgh?

[Fire0nIce228 1]

Heres a link, not much in the way of 100% true info but some more info nonetheless..

Penguins Sale Imminent

(KDKA) PITTSBURGH KDKA has learned that the Pittsburgh Penguins are set to be sold.

KDKA Investigator Andy Sheehan reports the team will be sold to Canadian businessman Jim Balsillie.

Balsillie, of Toronto, originally wanted to move the team to Hamilton, Ontario but he has since indicated that he will keep the team in Pittsburgh.

Balsillie is the owner of R.A.M. that manufactures the Blackberry wireless device.

The price tag is reported to be $175 million.

A news conference on the sale could come as early as Thursday.

Theres also a little video clip on the right..

http://kdka.com/topstories/local_story_277182552.html

[Hobbes_86 0]

oops sorry...its the funding the Pens want for the new arena

[RadioGaGa 162]

From the Hamilton Spectator the Monday after the Pittsburgh - Buffalo game.

http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/NASApp/cs...d=1112274690688

Okay...I may be exagerating the $80-100 Million on Copps...but it would take quite a bit.

[blueliner27 12]

Nooooooo! I just bought a Crosby jersey!

[Fire0nIce228 1]

Thanks for nothing. Read the whole topic, theres a decent chance they'll stay in Pitt.

[blueliner27 12]

I don't think they will stay in Pitt though

[RadioGaGa 162]

I don't think they will stay in Pitt though

I guess you'd know better than the guy that just put down $175 Mil to buy the team...

Canadian businessman Jim Balsillie, of Toronto, originally wanted to move the team to Hamilton, Ontario but he has since indicated that he will keep the team in Pittsburgh.

[Grave77Digger 1]

I think there staying

[HeatleyRules 0]

Winnipeg by any chance?

[Eazy_b97 1]

Can't see it coming to the Hammer. They don't have the cash in the area to fill up the private boxes.

[RadioGaGa 162]

I don't think they will stay in Pitt though

I guess you'd know better than the guy that just put down $175 Mil to buy the team...

Canadian businessman Jim Balsillie, of Toronto, originally wanted to move the team to Hamilton, Ontario but he has since indicated that he will keep the team in Pittsburgh.

I don't really think you can believe much of what anyone says- especially in a situation like this. The guy also recently put 50 million down to hold rights to a rink in Hamilton.

I think the fee to reserve the NHL rights in Copps was $50,000 not million. According to TSN.

[kredmore 2]

what about some other larger markets than can withstand ups/downs of a team's performance. From a business point of view, this makes long term sense.

[Chadd 916]

That still is a lot less that $225-$290 mil that I've been hearing.

I dunno I am hopeful the Pens stay in Pitt but if the PA Gaming Board doesn't get off their butts soon and make a decision I see the Pens leaving town in the middle of the night ala Colts style.

Question, how much weight does Bettman have in the decision if the owners want to move the Pens?

The announcement will not happen before the elections in November. That gives interested parties more time to donate money to their favorite politician. ;)

The lease expires at the end of this year and I really don't see them staying if they don't get a new building. That said, no owner in his right mind will pulicly say they are going to move a team before the season starts. It would only ensure low attendance all season.

[Chadd 916]

City and Allegheny County officials, along with Gov. Ed Rendell, have urged the team to agree to another deal to build the arena if Isle of Capri does not get the casino. Land for the project has been acquired across the street from Mellon Arena.

However, Lemieux’s group has declined to accept the alternative plan, saying it is bound to the Isle of Capri deal.

A couple things can reasonably be inferred from this quote; Isle of Capri is unlikely to get the license and the Pens will probably move. My reasoning? Rendell knows what direction the gaming group is already leaning and is trying to ensure the team has some deal in place that keeps the team in Pittsburgh. The flat out refusal to consider any other option means that plan B is moving the team to another city. Nobody in their right mind would put all of their eggs in one basket like this.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15142705/

[beaucoup_fish 0]

I hope he moves the team to Waterloo. It would give me a reason to return, and I could try for season tix. Tho, I can't imagine a blackberry fruit holding a hockey stick and wearing a helmet...

[mik3 1]

4-0 win over philly on opening night, not bad, totally outplayed them.

[mik3 1]

Just heard on the TV that Ted Leonisis is looking to possibly sell the Caps. maybe I am out of the loop, but that surprises me. He must need some money for hotdogs and lard

He's probably planning on moving on, killing a franchise in another sport.

[Chadd 916]

4-0 win over philly on opening night, not bad, totally outplayed them.

Early on the Flyers had the advantage but Esche couldn't control rebounds and Fleurry was very good.

[hockeytim18 0]

Most of the time Fluery looked like a man possessed. Almost everyone at my school was talking about the game. Well the guys.