The Penguins Are Staying! :)

Cali Ed · 03-13-2007, 12:20 AM

Story from Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Quote:

Arena deal keeps Penguins in Pittsburgh

Tuesday, March 13, 2007
By Mark Belko, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The puck stays here.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have reached an agreement with state and local officials for construction of a new arena that keeps the team here under a 30-year lease.
The basics of the agreement were reached during a make-or-break meeting last week in Philadelphia where both sides reported that signficant progress was made and most of the remaining details were worked out over the weekend, according to sources close to the negotiations.
A formal announcement will be made later today, before the Penguins 7:30 p.m. home game against the Buffalo Sabres.

Arena deal keeps Penguins in Pittsburgh

Finally! I can't believe this got done, and most importantly, THEY ARE STAYING!

Drury77 · 03-14-2007, 06:28 PM

I'm glad that both sides finally worked it out. As much as the Pens drive me crazy as a Bruins fan, I think it would have been a joke to see them in Kansas City. Just glad this part of the Pens financial issues are taken care of now

John F · 03-14-2007, 09:20 PM

Looking at the league in a business sense, the Pens drive me crazy too (as does Pittsburgh).

I don't want the team to move, but this is a twice-bankrupt franchise that had Mario save the day twice so far (being drafted and then buying the team). This Arena saga has gone on for too long. It amazes me Mario has been able to hold onto the city and not just close shop and move already.

Catering to the whim of a sports team (or held hostage by it) sucks... But with Heinz Field and PNC Park both constructed on the public dime (with the latter housing a horrendous team while the former is home of a champion), I'm shocked it took this long to get the team a replacement for the Igloo.

Nazzy03 · 03-20-2007, 01:21 PM

Im glad to hear this. And it can finally die! If then Pens had to be moved, Winnipeg would be the only place I'd agree. I hope Las Vegas and KC never get a team.

BigBadBlueBird · 03-20-2007, 06:11 PM

Next up: Nashville or Phoenix.

Personally, I think the NHL will have a team in Houston and KC or Seattle within five years. If not via relocation, then via expansion. I believe the eight division setup that the NHL floated earlier this year was a trial bubble for that.

Ultimately, it is nice to see that the Pens are staying. I thought that it might come down to the NHL promising a replacement expansion team after the Penguins relocated before the city relented.

Drury77 · 03-20-2007, 06:19 PM

Nashville ain't goin nowhere. God leave the Preds alone. Dammit

Nazzy03 · 03-21-2007, 02:33 PM

I wouldnt miss Phoenix. I'd rather see a team go to Seattle than KC. Seattle would have to build a new arena, however they could use that to see what kind of support the NHL will get from Seattle fans. Remember Vancouver is about 2-3hr drive from there, Seattle does have a Vancouver Canucks fan base, so I dont see it being a problem!

BigBadBlueBird · 03-21-2007, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drury77

Nashville ain't goin nowhere. God leave the Preds alone. Dammit

I suspect next year will give us a true indication of Nashvile as a viable franchise. But when the owner is bemoaning the lack of corporate support, and exercising clauses in the lease that forces the city to buy $2 million in tickets, it is not a good sign. Especially for a first place team.

Until the Predators show that they are on solid financial footing, they will *always* be a target.

bedir than average · 03-21-2007, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nazzy03

I wouldnt miss Phoenix. I'd rather see a team go to Seattle than KC. Seattle would have to build a new arena, however they could use that to see what kind of support the NHL will get from Seattle fans. Remember Vancouver is about 2-3hr drive from there, Seattle does have a Vancouver Canucks fan base, so I dont see it being a problem!

Three hour drive and the border crossing isn't as simple as it used to be.

John F · 03-21-2007, 06:38 PM

I feel horrid for Phoenix. They just built a gorgeous new arena but it's in the middle of nowhere (Glendale -- near the new football stadium).

One will note that -- the Football stadium and the arena near each other. The difference between the two is that football fans only have to go to games once a week at best. A long drive between other areas and the sticks of Glendale is much more tolerable. Coyotes season ticket holders -- both of them

-- have to make a long drive several times a week. There isn't a population base around the arena to support the team.

And you can add me to the list of people who would prefer to see a team land in the Pacific Northwest instead of Houston or KC or LV.

Nazzy03 · 03-22-2007, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bedir than average

Three hour drive and the border crossing isn't as simple as it used to be.

It doesnt stop Seattle Canuck's fans from watching them on TV. It makes more sense for an NHL team to be in Seattle because they could support it, than KC where they will probably accept it for the first few years then probably not care, especially if the team sucks!

Going South has failed, its clear as day, so why would we keep doing it? Oh right, we have that genuise... Bettman!

John F · 03-22-2007, 03:06 PM

Going south hasn't failed as much as the marketing tied to going south and team logic once they go south.

Are the Stars a failure in Dallas? Hell no. Are the Lightning failures in Tampa? Absolutley not. Now Phoenix? That was a horrid logistical move to begin with (playing in an arena that was constructed specifically for basketball). They further screwed it up by building the arena outside the region (see earlier comment).

Now, if we want to harp about the late 1990's expansion that gave the league the Predators, Thrashers, Blue Jackets and Wild -- I have no problem with that. I believe that the league should have stopped expanding after 1992-93 when the Lightning and Senators joined things. But no, Disney and Wayne Hizuinga came a'calling. Nashville tried to get the Devils and the Jets, Nordiques, North Stars and Whalers played hop-scotch. Wherever the league has gone, they continue to market the league in the same way however. How much advertising of MyNHL has been seen on US TV networks for example? Only during games if ever. How much year-round clothing (meaning not sweaters, sweat shirts, skullys, ski caps, etc) is marketed in US retail outlets to cater to the more sunnier climates?

Heck, even the "Traditional" NHL draft that jumps around from city to city shows the league doesn't have roots down. It's impossible in some instances for teams to put roots down in markets because they haven't grown into the markets... Meanwhile the base fans are calling for retreat back to the base (Canada and the Northeast.

While I don't agree at all with a lot of things that go on with the league and it's direction, I wouldn't call "Going south" a failure as so much the direction of the league as a whole a failure. Hyper-regionalism has given people an us-versus-them mentality (the north versus the south, Canada versus the US, the Northeast vs. the rest of the hockey world) or simply an excuse not to care about certain teams and players (and thus the ability to say an entire region is a failure). There is no accountability for player antics most of the season (see the Simon thread), there is no accountability for the Refs when they make overly partial calls or screw up calls entirely (instead of waving off a false whistle, they make a team serve the penalty and MAYBE give a "makeup call" later), there is little being done from the top to market the league or even give guidance to teams about marketing besides the same old, same old. The Bill Wirtz marketing plan is a failure and yet the guy still has say and sway in the direction of things with the league.
\
Back to the topic of the Penguins -- as I stated above, they are twice a financial failure in Pittsburgh. They were on the verge of relocating again until this 13th hour save... While one can see that as an excuse for them to be moved to another market (either the hyper-traditional Canada/Northeast or the "failure" south) it should inspire a long pause and realization there is more wrong with the league than just the fact teams have moved in the past decade. There is more wrong with the game and a Salary Cap alone isn't going to fix it.

Nazzy03 · 03-22-2007, 03:58 PM

The teams like Tampa and Dallas and Nashville are successful, they are just in the wrong city. Move them to a place that will have the fan support, not to a place that could care less and attract people who decide, hmm Im bored well lets check this NHL thing out tickets are dirt cheap... Im sure thats one way of attracting more fans but its not the best.

The NHL should have been built up, with lots of hype before locating to southern citys, make people want it, crave it! IMO Bettman has failed to do so, which is why this brand is going stale, so fast.

John F · 03-22-2007, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nazzy03

The teams like Tampa and Dallas and Nashville are successful, they are just in the wrong city.

I'll use that line alone as evidence nothing I said made a dent. You personally don't like teams in the south. Franchises may be fine in southern markets (two out of three in your examples) but to hell with the cities and the fans in those cities, eh?

bedir than average · 03-22-2007, 05:08 PM

downtown phoeniz to downtown glendale is 8 Miles. That is the same distance from North Phoenix to downtown.

03-14-2007, 06:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
Drury77 Hockey Community Mod Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 894	I'm glad that both sides finally worked it out. As much as the Pens drive me crazy as a Bruins fan, I think it would have been a joke to see them in Kansas City. Just glad this part of the Pens financial issues are taken care of now __________________ Visit Traci's Card Place \| Stop by the Bruins Forum \| Stop by the Predators Forum

03-20-2007, 06:19 PM	#6 (permalink)
Drury77 Hockey Community Mod Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 894	Nashville ain't goin nowhere. God leave the Preds alone. Dammit __________________ Visit Traci's Card Place \| Stop by the Bruins Forum \| Stop by the Predators Forum

03-22-2007, 05:08 PM	#15 (permalink)
bedir than average Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Starbucks Posts: 8,256	downtown phoeniz to downtown glendale is 8 Miles. That is the same distance from North Phoenix to downtown. __________________ US Men's National Team World Cup Qualifying \| Democracy in Sports Meets My First Campaign "You're only so sure you're right because they're so sure you're wrong." Orson Scott Card in Xenocide

03-14-2007, 09:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
John F Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tampa Bay area, Florida Posts: 2,497	Looking at the league in a business sense, the Pens drive me crazy too (as does Pittsburgh). I don't want the team to move, but this is a twice-bankrupt franchise that had Mario save the day twice so far (being drafted and then buying the team). This Arena saga has gone on for too long. It amazes me Mario has been able to hold onto the city and not just close shop and move already. Catering to the whim of a sports team (or held hostage by it) sucks... But with Heinz Field and PNC Park both constructed on the public dime (with the latter housing a horrendous team while the former is home of a champion), I'm shocked it took this long to get the team a replacement for the Igloo.

03-20-2007, 01:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
Nazzy03 Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 89	Im glad to hear this. And it can finally die! If then Pens had to be moved, Winnipeg would be the only place I'd agree. I hope Las Vegas and KC never get a team.

03-20-2007, 06:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
BigBadBlueBird AKA: Keith, SteibFan, E5 and Snakeeye Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 38	Next up: Nashville or Phoenix. Personally, I think the NHL will have a team in Houston and KC or Seattle within five years. If not via relocation, then via expansion. I believe the eight division setup that the NHL floated earlier this year was a trial bubble for that. Ultimately, it is nice to see that the Pens are staying. I thought that it might come down to the NHL promising a replacement expansion team after the Penguins relocated before the city relented.

03-21-2007, 02:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
Nazzy03 Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 89	I wouldnt miss Phoenix. I'd rather see a team go to Seattle than KC. Seattle would have to build a new arena, however they could use that to see what kind of support the NHL will get from Seattle fans. Remember Vancouver is about 2-3hr drive from there, Seattle does have a Vancouver Canucks fan base, so I dont see it being a problem!

03-21-2007, 06:38 PM	#10 (permalink)
John F Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tampa Bay area, Florida Posts: 2,497	I feel horrid for Phoenix. They just built a gorgeous new arena but it's in the middle of nowhere (Glendale -- near the new football stadium). One will note that -- the Football stadium and the arena near each other. The difference between the two is that football fans only have to go to games once a week at best. A long drive between other areas and the sticks of Glendale is much more tolerable. Coyotes season ticket holders -- both of them -- have to make a long drive several times a week. There isn't a population base around the arena to support the team. And you can add me to the list of people who would prefer to see a team land in the Pacific Northwest instead of Houston or KC or LV.

03-22-2007, 03:06 PM	#12 (permalink)
John F Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tampa Bay area, Florida Posts: 2,497	Going south hasn't failed as much as the marketing tied to going south and team logic once they go south. Are the Stars a failure in Dallas? Hell no. Are the Lightning failures in Tampa? Absolutley not. Now Phoenix? That was a horrid logistical move to begin with (playing in an arena that was constructed specifically for basketball). They further screwed it up by building the arena outside the region (see earlier comment). Now, if we want to harp about the late 1990's expansion that gave the league the Predators, Thrashers, Blue Jackets and Wild -- I have no problem with that. I believe that the league should have stopped expanding after 1992-93 when the Lightning and Senators joined things. But no, Disney and Wayne Hizuinga came a'calling. Nashville tried to get the Devils and the Jets, Nordiques, North Stars and Whalers played hop-scotch. Wherever the league has gone, they continue to market the league in the same way however. How much advertising of MyNHL has been seen on US TV networks for example? Only during games if ever. How much year-round clothing (meaning not sweaters, sweat shirts, skullys, ski caps, etc) is marketed in US retail outlets to cater to the more sunnier climates? Heck, even the "Traditional" NHL draft that jumps around from city to city shows the league doesn't have roots down. It's impossible in some instances for teams to put roots down in markets because they haven't grown into the markets... Meanwhile the base fans are calling for retreat back to the base (Canada and the Northeast. While I don't agree at all with a lot of things that go on with the league and it's direction, I wouldn't call "Going south" a failure as so much the direction of the league as a whole a failure. Hyper-regionalism has given people an us-versus-them mentality (the north versus the south, Canada versus the US, the Northeast vs. the rest of the hockey world) or simply an excuse not to care about certain teams and players (and thus the ability to say an entire region is a failure). There is no accountability for player antics most of the season (see the Simon thread), there is no accountability for the Refs when they make overly partial calls or screw up calls entirely (instead of waving off a false whistle, they make a team serve the penalty and MAYBE give a "makeup call" later), there is little being done from the top to market the league or even give guidance to teams about marketing besides the same old, same old. The Bill Wirtz marketing plan is a failure and yet the guy still has say and sway in the direction of things with the league. \ Back to the topic of the Penguins -- as I stated above, they are twice a financial failure in Pittsburgh. They were on the verge of relocating again until this 13th hour save... While one can see that as an excuse for them to be moved to another market (either the hyper-traditional Canada/Northeast or the "failure" south) it should inspire a long pause and realization there is more wrong with the league than just the fact teams have moved in the past decade. There is more wrong with the game and a Salary Cap alone isn't going to fix it.

03-22-2007, 03:58 PM	#13 (permalink)
Nazzy03 Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 89	The teams like Tampa and Dallas and Nashville are successful, they are just in the wrong city. Move them to a place that will have the fan support, not to a place that could care less and attract people who decide, hmm Im bored well lets check this NHL thing out tickets are dirt cheap... Im sure thats one way of attracting more fans but its not the best. The NHL should have been built up, with lots of hype before locating to southern citys, make people want it, crave it! IMO Bettman has failed to do so, which is why this brand is going stale, so fast.