Rendell: Appeal to NHL possible if Penguins reject deal

[spi]

One angle Rendell has to use is that Ed Snider is on the
BOG. Ed Snider is also a principal in one of the awarded casino licenses in Philly. Ed Snider owes Rendell a favor.

This could be a trump card for Slick Eddie that he is threatening to play if necessary.

You could not write a more intriging novel about this.

THE F ING FLYERS PRESIDENT COULD BE THE GUY THAT IN THE END KEEPS THE TEAM HERE B/C OF POLITICAL FAVORS.

the plot thickens

[newarenanow]

Am I the only one who finds it odd that an NHL team can extract such massive subsidies from both KC and PGH?

This is a sport that can't even oud-do bowling or women's lacrosse on ESPN. And was wayyyy behind poker. So how are they getting free rent on a 300M arena wherever they go?

This whole thing seems financially irresponsible, for any city.

True.

[peterleefan]

I cant stand Rendell, didnt vote for him either time. But he knows how to get deals done..........I think he knows what he is doing...........

Isnt it amazing that Rendell is the government's mouthpiece, not the local politicos, Ravenstahl and Onorato

[ExPatriatePen]

I'm sorry but I love it, ML needs to have his EGO nailed to the wall,The best Fast Eddie quote that nobody heard is this,If the K.C. deal was so great why did they go to Houston,That is right between the eyes of ML & RB

Have you ever heard of the "Greater Fool" theory?

Why wouldn't they go Houston? The more players in a bidding war for the Pens, the hisgher they can push the franchise asking price.

They'd be foolish not to solicit every offer they could at this point.

[Pitts]

Isnt it amazing that Rendell is the government's mouthpiece, not the local politicos, Ravenstahl and Onorato

Considering it is the State's money and not the City's or County's that will make this work, no.

[Maestro]

Rendell does have a good track record with getting sports teams new facilities as he'll be the first one to tell you.

[pulp22]

Am I the only one who finds it odd that an NHL team can extract such massive subsidies from both KC and PGH?

This is a sport that can't even oud-do bowling or women's lacrosse on ESPN. And was wayyyy behind poker. So how are they getting free rent on a 300M arena wherever they go?

This whole thing seems financially irresponsible, for any city.

Because 17,000 people don't show up to see poker live. Cities make money from that, not from TV ratings.

[Armyrulez]

Hey Fast Eddie, so much for not negotiating in the media, huh? you jacka##!!!

[edog]

Am I the only one who finds it odd that an NHL team can extract such massive subsidies from both KC and PGH?

This is a sport that can't even oud-do bowling or women's lacrosse on ESPN. And was wayyyy behind poker. So how are they getting free rent on a 300M arena wherever they go?

This whole thing seems financially irresponsible, for any city.

For once, you & I agree on something.... This is getting ridiculous....

[ams]

i find it funny that the LG accused the city/state of changing terms on them, but i saw no mention of that 10 mil until after the second meeting, so it seems that both sides were shifting their sights a bit.

i see no reason at all why anyone but the pens (who got $ from two different possible buyers) ought to pay the 10 mil.

[dboss]

how dose pro-sports drain it? an arena for events, resturants are packed w/people to watch games, cloths, ect. plus all the loyal fans who pour out $$$ on the teams gear and tickets

1. Massive direct subisidies for facilities - paid by taxpayers or thru "plans" that divert money from taxpayer budgets;

2. Huge discretionary spending by people that would go local, instead. For every $25 mean eaten before a game, there is a $45 ticket purchased that goes to player/owner pockets.

They don't live locally, most of them. So money leaves the area.

Perhaps if you still lived in Pittsburgh you would head down to a Pens v. Leafs game to see the BUSLOADS of Toronto fans that make the trip to Pittsburgh, stay at the Marriott, eat at the Souper Bowl, etc. That is ALL money they are spending in the city that would not be spent if the Pens were not here. Its estimated that $75 million was lost in local economic revenue when the NHL was locked out. Perhaps you should not let your personal believes get in the way of your thinking (if that is what you want to call it).

[JDJ8766]

Here's a good study concerning arena economics. It's kind of long, but it's a good read.

http://www.alleghenyinstitute.org/reports/02_08.pdf

Here is their most recent opinion on the arena situation:

http://www.alleghenyinstitute.org/briefs/vol7no1.pdf

[Jamie]

how dose pro-sports drain it? an arena for events, resturants are packed w/people to watch games, cloths, ect. plus all the loyal fans who pour out $$$ on the teams gear and tickets

1. Massive direct subisidies for facilities - paid by taxpayers or thru "plans" that divert money from taxpayer budgets;

2. Huge discretionary spending by people that would go local, instead. For every $25 mean eaten before a game, there is a $45 ticket purchased that goes to player/owner pockets.

They don't live locally, most of them. So money leaves the area.

So what about the people who dont live locally, and spend 100 bucks for a hotel, then another 200 in meal money,and then a small shopping trip for the wife, and kids? I know I live abut two hrs from Pittsburgh, and go to about 7 games a year. On average I spend about $500.00 to $600.00 during these trips. And this does not include money I spent on the tickets, and or arena concessions.

[dboss]

So what about the people who dont live locally, and spend 100 bucks for a hotel, then another 200 in meal money,and then a small shopping trip for the wife, and kids? I know I live abut two hrs from Pittsburgh, and go to about 7 games a year. On average I spend about $500.00 to $600.00 during these trips. And this does not include money I spent on the tickets, and or arena concessions.

Most studies I've read on this, suggest you'd come to PGH a couple times per year anyway. That hockey may be a part of your trip, but if it didn't exist, you'd still come for other cultural attractions.

May not be true in your case, but the bulk of people, probably is.

You really must not be a hockey fan. I've made numerous trips to Toronto just for the Hockey Hall of Fame. Sure, I love Toronto and think its a great city, but would I have gone if they didn't have the HHoF. Definitely not.

Also, what other cultural attractions are you referring to? I live here and I can't think of any.

[dboss]

You really must not be a hockey fan. I've made numerous trips to Toronto just for the Hockey Hall of Fame. Sure, I love Toronto and think its a great city, but would I have gone if they didn't have the HHoF. Definitely not.

Also, what other cultural attractions are you referring to? I live here and I can't think of any.

NFL? MLB?

The water park, the zoo, the inclines, Point Park, the Carnegie Museums, Heinz Hall, Benedum, the skate rink at PPG, anything near Pitt/CMU, boat rides for families up & down the rivers.

I'm betting "Penguin Games" is about .005% of the visitor dollars those all attract.

I'll give you the NFL and MLB, but those relate back to my argument that sports teams DRAW non-locals into the city to spend money. Aren't you contradicting yourself? It sure seems that way to me. Also, any of the others on your list are LOCAL attractions. What in the world makes you think people would travel to attend the skating rink at PPG? You are stretching it and again, you have no facts, only your presumptions to back up any of your claims. Oh, and I work in Oakland and I can't think of anything in that area that people would want to visit unless it has something to do with Pitt or CMU. I know Hemingway's and Peter's Pub have a GREAT rep in NYC, but they don't quite draw the out-of-town crowd.