A Great Loss
The Pittsburgh Penguins moved one step closer to packing their bags for Kansas City, Las Vegas, Portland or whoever ends up being the highest bidder for the team. It is looking more and more like the Penguins plan to acquire the Stand Alone Slots Parlor license for the area is going to fall through and with it the revenue necessary to build a new arena. Team owner and captain, Mario Lemieux spoke at a press conference Saturday and delivered the grim news. This quote from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette sums up the past few years of lies and false promises made to Mario since he purchased the team out of bankruptcy: "I think we're really running out of time. We probably ran out of time already. It's been unfortunate that the city and the county haven't been willing to work with us over the last two or three years."
I cannot blame Mario for being frustrated. When he rode in on his White Horse to save this team and keep it in Pittsburgh there were certain assurances made that a new arena would be considered. Mario made it known to the politicians publicly and privately that an arena was necessary to keep the franchise viable in this market. The landscape of the NHL was very uneven. Teams were stealing all of the talent away from teams like the Penguins because they could not afford to match the high contracts that were being offered. They were not generating the revenue necessary to survive. Sure, the new Collective Bargaining Agreement helps the cause with it's salary cap, but without a new building the team still stands to lose money each year.
In June of 2006 the Penguins are able to begin the search for a new home, one with a new arena. However, potential buyers and cities can solicit the Penguins right now, and it is happening. Kansas City is courting the team and has been for some time now. This is unacceptable. Though this city will always be Steeler country; the Penguins have a very loyal following. Getting Sidney Crosby has generated a much needed buzz and interest in the team has never been higher.
It is necessary to dispel a myth. A new arena is not something that is going to be used strictly by a hockey team. The new arena could be used for many different events, such as professional wrestling, concerts, ice shows, truck pulls etc. Several musical acts, Celine Dion and Paul Mccartney for example, have passed on playing Pittsburgh on their most recent tours because the arena did not accommodate their stage set up or house enough people. The Mellon Arena is a very unique structure, but it is out of it's prime. The city moved forward with building PNC Park and Heinz field. PNC Park is used less than 100 times a year, Heinz Field even less.
It would be a crime if the city lets the Pittsburgh Penguins leave town. They have provided many great sports moments in Pittsburgh history, including it's most recent championship. It has given us the gift of Mario Lemieux, who is one of the most genuine human beings ever to participate in Pittsburgh sports. A man who gave all he had on the ice and off it to keep this team in town. To me, losing the Pittsburgh Penguins would be like a death in the family. It is part of my life, and the thought of losing it is hurting worse than anything. I have many fond memories: Making it back to the playoffs in '89, sweeping the Rangers only to lose to the hated Flyers in 7 games, Stanley Cup victories, milestone goals, 18 game losing streaks, Jaromir Jagr when he was just out there having fun, Trots doing his Slip and Slide routine at the cup rally. I am hoping to have a ton of new memories as we go forward with Sid the Kid, MA Fleury, Whitney and the boys. If I ever prayed to the hockey gods, now is the time! Don't take our Penguins....
I cannot blame Mario for being frustrated. When he rode in on his White Horse to save this team and keep it in Pittsburgh there were certain assurances made that a new arena would be considered. Mario made it known to the politicians publicly and privately that an arena was necessary to keep the franchise viable in this market. The landscape of the NHL was very uneven. Teams were stealing all of the talent away from teams like the Penguins because they could not afford to match the high contracts that were being offered. They were not generating the revenue necessary to survive. Sure, the new Collective Bargaining Agreement helps the cause with it's salary cap, but without a new building the team still stands to lose money each year.
In June of 2006 the Penguins are able to begin the search for a new home, one with a new arena. However, potential buyers and cities can solicit the Penguins right now, and it is happening. Kansas City is courting the team and has been for some time now. This is unacceptable. Though this city will always be Steeler country; the Penguins have a very loyal following. Getting Sidney Crosby has generated a much needed buzz and interest in the team has never been higher.
It is necessary to dispel a myth. A new arena is not something that is going to be used strictly by a hockey team. The new arena could be used for many different events, such as professional wrestling, concerts, ice shows, truck pulls etc. Several musical acts, Celine Dion and Paul Mccartney for example, have passed on playing Pittsburgh on their most recent tours because the arena did not accommodate their stage set up or house enough people. The Mellon Arena is a very unique structure, but it is out of it's prime. The city moved forward with building PNC Park and Heinz field. PNC Park is used less than 100 times a year, Heinz Field even less.
It would be a crime if the city lets the Pittsburgh Penguins leave town. They have provided many great sports moments in Pittsburgh history, including it's most recent championship. It has given us the gift of Mario Lemieux, who is one of the most genuine human beings ever to participate in Pittsburgh sports. A man who gave all he had on the ice and off it to keep this team in town. To me, losing the Pittsburgh Penguins would be like a death in the family. It is part of my life, and the thought of losing it is hurting worse than anything. I have many fond memories: Making it back to the playoffs in '89, sweeping the Rangers only to lose to the hated Flyers in 7 games, Stanley Cup victories, milestone goals, 18 game losing streaks, Jaromir Jagr when he was just out there having fun, Trots doing his Slip and Slide routine at the cup rally. I am hoping to have a ton of new memories as we go forward with Sid the Kid, MA Fleury, Whitney and the boys. If I ever prayed to the hockey gods, now is the time! Don't take our Penguins....
posted by Bmetzer66 at 1:22 PM
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