Will the Pittsburgh Penguins stay in Pittsburgh?

Answer 1

I'm praying they do. It's a travesty if they move!

Answer 2

Well, last week I said I wouldn't blame Mario and Burkle for leaving Pittsburgh with the way they have been treated. If Rendell pissed off Mario and Burkle in the meeting on Thursday, I thought they would announce they were relocating to Kansas City. My feeling was Thursday was the make-it or break-it day in Pennsylvania. Rendell either was going to give them what they wanted or they would announce they are leaving. Obviously both sides talked for a long time and then declined comment. I take this as a sign that they reached an agreement that both sides can live with. I think the only delay in making the announcement is because both sides want the attorneys to look over the deal before they sign it. So, now I think they are going to stay in Pittsburgh.

For their part, Kansas City officials and AEG officials have played this perfectly. They have said many times that it makes the most sense for everyone involved if the Penguins work out a deal to stay in Pennsylvania. Personally, I agree with that statement. But the Kansas City people also said IF a deal could not be worked out in Pittsburgh, they wanted to be the frontrunners in the negotiations for the team. Who can blame them for that postion?

In a recent article, Tim Liewicke the president of AEG said that he thinks it is unlikely that the team will relocate to Kansas City. That says a lot to me. He also added that the people in Kansas City have earned the respect of the NHL and team owners by staying out of the negotiations in Pittsburgh. In light of this, I think the latest announcement that Kansas City had sweetened the deal is a ploy on the part of the team. Liewicke said the Kansas City officials have never considered the Penguins as a real possibility but have been in talks with another NHL franchise (probably Nashville) about the possibility of relocating to Kansas City following the next season. Liewicke himself said that is a far more likely scenario that is being supported by league and Mr. Bettman.

It's my gut feeling that this whole rumor about relocating the Pens to Kansas City has been a two-way ploy for leverage. First, Burkle and Liewicke are neighbors, business associates, and drinking buddies. Burkle needed leverage to get the deal done in Pittsburgh and Liewicke needed to get the word out to the rest of the league about the sweet arena deal being offered in Kansas City. This whole thing has played to the advantage of both sides. But I suspect that neither side considered it a real possibility.

It's going to end up a win-win for everyone. The league wanted to keep the team in Pittsburgh, because it's a great hockey market. The Pens will get their new arena. And in about a year, Kansas City will get the franchise currently located in Nashville which the league wants to see in a stronger market like Kansas City. Win-Win-Win!

Answer 3

I would put it at 90/10. 90% that they stay. Don't believe what you read, it is just part of the negotiation process. e.g. The Pens report to the media that they are scouting other cities to put the pressure on the government (Rendell) to pony up more money. I would be VERY shocked if they ended up moving.

Answer 4

You know this question is asked at least every other day, and nothing is different now than it was yesterday or the day before that. No one will know anymore until at least Wednesday when the Pens meet with the state again.

Answer 5

I mean, have you ever thought about some of the things that will happen if they do move??I could name just a few and its not going to be pretty for the league.

Answer 6

i heard that they are staying in Pittsburgh

Answer 7

Yes. They are the best place for the pens even though i am not a pen fan i still think so.

Answer 8

It would it be better if they stayed...other city names don't match the Penguins....

Answer 9

Yes, they got a deal!~

Answer 10

i sure hope so ...the fans like me really want them too stay