2006-12-20 12:02:55 · 15 answers · asked by Angel D 1 in Sports ➔ Hockey
They aren't going anywhere. Your canadien buyer has backed out and Mario still owns the team. All you canadiens can keep hoping to steal back a team. Mario is now an American and will do whatever to keep the team in Pitt.
2006-12-20 15:05:07 · answer #1 · answered by Speed Of Thought 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I learned one thing about the NHL this week. Gary Bettman, as long as he is commisioner of the NHL, is going to do everything in his power NOT to re-expand the NHL's presence in Canada.
Jim Balsillie was a lead-pipe cinch to move the team to a neutral corner of Ontario, but Bettman wanted assurances that the Penguins wouldn't move, so Balsillie's billions left the room.
Bettman loves to beat the drum about "raising the profile of the NHL in the United States". That plan is a failure. Three of the best teams in the NHL in the United States - New Jersey, Anaheim and Nashville - are playing to crowds that are WAY under capacity. The new arena in Newark for the Devils isn't going to change that, it's only going to trade "fan ticket money" for "skybox money". The seats will still be empty.
The NHL in the United States is sixth in the sports pecking order behind (in order) the NFL, NASCAR, NCAA football & basketball, baseball and the NBA. Only about 20% of NHL players are Americans, so a realization needs to occur that the NHL has peaked in the states and that the fans who will support the sport in all situations are in Canada, and always will be.
As far as the Penguins, I think Bettman is going to force any new owner to keep the team in Pittsburgh. There are now two potential bidders, a pair of Canadian businessmen and a group led by Mark Cuban. Given how much of a pain Cuban has been to Bettman's old employer, David Stern, I'd be surprised if Mark Cuban's bid gets serious consideration. Eventually, I think the Penguins move to an American city, with the favorites being Portland or Hartford. A Canadian destination is a distant fourth.
UPDATE: Lemieux just announced that the team is off the market and that the ownership group is exploring relocation.
2006-12-21 11:56:27 · answer #2 · answered by jpspencer1966 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have heard that there are a number of cities but I honestly doubt that the Penguins will move. I think the recent events actually bode well for Pittsburgh hockey fans. The investor from Hamilton who backed out was going to move the team (given the circumstances, why announce that he would?), and the Isle of Capri deal was a wing and a prayer to begin with.
The good thing is that the land for a new arena has been determined, and just because Balsillie backed away and the gambling license wasn't awarded to IOC doesn't mean the Pens are in any hurry to relocate. Remember, as dumb as the NHL may be, they don't want the team to move either. Then there is Mario Lemeiux who has performed magic in keeping the team in the Steel City.
There is no way that I can see a new team in Canada in the next decade. There are no outside investors lining up at the door to buy and relocate the team. So Pens fans can rest easy for the time being, and as a Flyers fan myself, I'm with you on keeping them put. I've always enjoyed the rivalry.
2006-12-20 22:27:53 · answer #3 · answered by Awesome Bill 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
earlier last year there was a Toronto busness man that wanted to buy the team and he would of moved them to Kansas City but Lemieux said no. Basillie wanted to buy the team and he did in fact promise Mario Lemieux he would of kept the team in Pittsburgh if the Isles of Capri Casino chain was in fact going to go through, but as we all know Basillie withdrawn his offer after Gary Bettman steped in and said you will not be moving this team to Canada if the Isles Capri Casino Chaine failled which it did today. and thats why Bisillie backed off on his bid for the Pens. I personaly don't want to see the Pens move and im not even a Pens fan, but its the city government of Pittsburgh that doesnt really want a team in Pittsburgh i don't know why cause they doi have a bright future and a good fan base, and also the team has been in the NHL since 1967. Garry Bettman needs to be fired as comish and have someone that knows hockey to take his place. he is hurting this game which he says hes trying to sell in the U.S but you can't really watch hockey in the U.S onless you pay for it, that doesnt help at all. Kansas City, Houston and Portland are interested in landing an NHL team and Garry Bettman would not turn that down if the deal is right.
so Garry Bettman scared off Basillie cause he wanted to move the team to Canada which is not fair this is a millionaire that can bring hockey back home in Canada and the thing is Bettman knows it would work, cause the Canadian dollar is not bad as it was 5 years ago, and with the new salary cap a team can succed in ither Winnipeg, Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo and even Quebec.
Speed Of Thought>>> did you know that Lemieux owns a house in Quebec and lives there like 5 to 6 months a year also.
poeple Las Vegas is not going to be in the NHL who ever said this don't believe it cause its not true. im just tired of hearing people say Las Vegas.
GO HABS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
2006-12-21 02:17:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the ownership. But I think Lemieux has made it pretty clear that he wants the team (with the potential new owners) to stay in Pittsburgh.
EDIT: Maybe the future isn't so bright... Bettman's statement: “The decision by the Gaming Commission was terrible news for the Penguins, their fans and the NHL. The future of this franchise in Pittsburgh is uncertain and the Penguins now will have to explore all other options, including possible relocation. The NHL will support the Penguins in their endeavors.”
PS. To the "answerer" below me, it's Canadians, not Canadiens. Douche.
2006-12-20 22:56:58 · answer #5 · answered by msconduct 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They might end up in Pittsburgh. Don't count out that they aren't moving. It really depends on the buyer. Oh by the way there were Toronto Buisnessmen who wanted to buy the team and wanted to keep it in Pittsburgh. They were even considering building a new arena if Isle of Capri didn't get the license, which as we know they didn't. They figured the money from naming rights and beverage consession's, it was a Beer Company that they owned, it would be make up for the costs.
2006-12-21 10:11:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Inside info sware to god:
The plan to sell the Penguins is about a year old, right off the bat the city of Hartford made a bid to buy them and then sell them to a developer to build a 35,000 seat arena not to far from UConn's football stadium in East Hartford. The ink was dry for the sell to the developer but as for the sell to hartford I dont know. But as I know right now Hartford is in the running with a good chance, dont count them out.
and so far people are ignoring me, Hartford is a candidate for the Penguins if they move!
2006-12-20 20:13:35 · answer #7 · answered by rkjr1999 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
According to the 12/20 Globe & Mail they are going to KC, but I have no idea what they are basing that information on. I'm sure the 12/21 Globe will have more on it. The Globe figures the league will go back to a balanced schedule so that everyone can see Sid the kid no matter where the team ends up.
2006-12-20 23:44:35 · answer #8 · answered by michinoku2001 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Here are the cities in the running IF they leave:
Kansas City, Houston, Las Vegas and Portland
More unrealistic cities are:
Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo, Winnipeg and Quebec City
2006-12-21 07:18:08 · answer #9 · answered by everyidistaken12 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Honestly??? I've heard Kansas City mentioned, as well as Hamilton, Kitchener, and Winnipeg... But the best bet??? Las Vegas... I'm not kidding, the NHL thinks a team would do well there...
2006-12-20 20:28:57 · answer #10 · answered by HONORARIUS 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Its a tough question to answer. But from what I read about what is going on, the NHL had a potential buyer for the team, the guy that invented the Blackberrie. And they attempted to negotiate strict terms about moving the team........meaning he couldnt. Thats a tough bargaining position to take.
So in my honest opinion, the NHL is going to do everything possible to keep the franchise in Pittsburgh.
2006-12-20 20:18:01 · answer #11 · answered by Mr.KnowNothing 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋