pens are staying

**GOT SVT** · 03-13-2007, 10:11 AM

we are getting a new arena

**GOT SVT** · 03-13-2007, 10:12 AM

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2796552

The NHL, the governor, players, fans … pretty much nobody wanted the Penguins to leave Pittsburgh, but economics almost made it a reality. Now it looks like the danger has passed.

Burnside: Pens fans spared

Hockey fans everywhere can give thanks that a good hockey town won't lose its team over a squabble that has always been more politics than pucks, writes Scott Burnside. Story
• Mario saves day again?

Multiple media outlets reported on Monday night that the team, state and local leaders have reached an agreement on a new arena that will keep the Penguins in Pittsburgh. KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh first reported the agreement on its Web site.

The reports, citing unidentified sources, said the sides have reached agreement on terms for a new arena that will be ready for operation for the 2009-10 season.

Pittsburgh media outlets reported that a formal announcement of the agreement is anticipated before the Penguins host the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night.

The agreement reportedly includes a 30-year lease.

According to media reports, the Penguins would contribute $3.8 million per year toward construction of the $290 million arena and another $400,000 yearly for capital improvements.

Penguins officials didn't immediately return calls from The Associated Press for comment, nor did a spokesman for Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato.

A spokesman for Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said he knew nothing of a deal.

"I never heard that. I heard nothing like that," Dick Skrinjar told AP.

A spokesman for Gov. Ed Rendell refused to confirm the deal.

"I can't confirm a report of any settlement," Chuck Ardo said to AP. "The sides have communicated since last Thursday. This is an ongoing process."

Sources told KDKA that the price tag for the project will exceed the $290 million originally discussed. The station reports that a meeting between all sides will be held on Wednesday to formalize the agreement.

Penguins owners Ron Burkle and Mario Lemieux, Rendell, Ravenstahl, Onorato and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman met in Philadelphia last week for negotiations for a new arena.

The talks ended shortly after 11 p.m., and the sides agreed to meet again on Wednesday. After months of sometimes bitter talks during which the Penguins flirted with Kansas City, Las Vegas and Houston, last week's talks appeared to melt the ice -- obviously more than originally anticipated since Wednesday's meeting appears to have a more formal purpose.

"We had a very constructive meeting where significant progress was made," the team and elected officials said in a joint statement last week.

The Penguins had been threatening to leave Pittsburgh if they couldn't secure a new rink. Their lease at 46-year-old Mellon Arena, the oldest facility in the league, expires June 30 and the team is free to leave after that.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report

**panda** · 03-13-2007, 10:13 AM

i was so happy when i seen that last night

**blkp42e** · 03-13-2007, 10:13 AM

im so pumped

**J-rod** · 03-13-2007, 10:17 AM

cool. i got free tickets to friday nights game...but dont know if we wanna leave our son again.....i might go. never been to a hockey game.

**White5.0** · 03-13-2007, 10:21 AM

sweeeeeet!
and jared u should go theyre so fun when your actually there

**Viper_ed** · 03-13-2007, 10:26 AM

:flip: Guess Allegh. Cty. will now get a 8% sales tax!

**5k#Eaton** · 03-13-2007, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by Viper_ed

:flip: Guess Allegh. Cty. will now get a 8% sales tax!

ain't that the truth lol dammit

**BoneCrusher** · 03-13-2007, 11:30 AM

I told you they weren't going anywhere. How many cups do you think the can win over the next 10 years? This is going to be an awesome ride with this team.

**GOT SVT** · 03-13-2007, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by Jared

cool. i got free tickets to friday nights game...but dont know if we wanna leave our son again.....i might go. never been to a hockey game.

you should definately go:

1. they are are great team to watch
2. free hat nite
3. pens tix are expensive, especially right now-very to hard to get
4. you will be able to say you saw one of the greatest hockey players play
5. i will be there

**J-rod** · 03-13-2007, 11:45 AM

i might go...we have 6 extra tickets. ill ask the wife if she can leave the baby for several hours. we are taking her after school day care kids up...so no drinking for me if i go. lol

it also depends on if we have any deadlines to meet friday here at work.

and i must also say

i havent watched a complete hockey game ever in my life....havent even watched a part of a game since HS.

**RUSH2112** · 03-13-2007, 01:31 PM

Sweet.. I saw this on the 11pm news last night on KDKA. I was so happy. I have been watching hockey for nearly 17 years and I was devestated that the Pens might have moved.

But now we get a nice shiny new arena and the team will be good for the next 3-5 years (depending if they can hold onto the great players they have now... crosby, staal, malkin, fluery)

I am just excited that the Pens will make the playoffs this year. While they are a young, inexperienced team, I think if they draw a first round opponent that doesn't make the playoffs difficult, they might have a shot.

figure that Buffalo will get 1st place and get beat up in the first round by whomever.

The devils will also get beat up.

Even if we have to meet 1 or both of these teams later in the playoffs, there is a good chance they might be beat up, or possibly eliminated.

Of course we could be hurt also. Who knows, but it would be sweet if they advanced far or into the finals. Hell, a stanley cup would be friggin' awesome

**Ares** · 03-13-2007, 08:22 PM

I listened to the govenor speaking on the X about 5pm and he broke it down really good on where and how the money is coming from. He did say that the Kansas City offer was very very good for the Penguins and the deal they gave them was pretty good. Least it was good enough for the Pens to stay