Lemieux's Statement - Team no longer for sale

[WildKaper]

MARIO LEMIEUX STATEMENT
12/21/2006

Recent developments, including yesterday’s decision by the PGCB, and the recent termination of the purchase agreement by Jim Balsillie have convinced us that it is time to take control of our own destiny. Accordingly, starting today, the team is off the market, and we will begin to explore relocation options in cities outside Pennsylvania. After seven years of trying to work out a new arena deal exclusively in Pittsburgh, we need to take into consideration the long-term viability of the team and begin discussions with other cities that may be interested in NHL teams.

As soon as we are no longer restricted by our agreement with Isle of Capri from negotiating an arena deal here, in the next few weeks, we will also begin discussions with local leaders about a viable Pittsburgh arena plan.

We will have no further comment at this time.


http://www.pittsburghpenguins.com/team/ ... 2215.0.php

[conforto45]

....is Mario giving up?

[Jesse]

Someone means business.


Get the plan done, Mario. And give a big "F you" to everyone. You don't owe anyone anything.

[Kovy27]

Mario is frustrated.....

At least he is going to start talking to the local officials.

[Guins]

....is Mario giving up?

For Christs sakes it's using his leverage.In possibly the team moving out of town to get a better plan B deal from the politicians

[gregor]

That's the right move to force the hand of the politicians and get the best arena deal.

Very prudent.

[helmespc]

Clearly Mario is playing hardball. Good for him... he SHOULD make the most of his investment. If Pitt isn't going to work with him.... he is right to look at other options. This should light the fire under Pitt to work out an arena deal quickly.

[Jesse]

....is Mario giving up?

I think just the opposite. I think he's taking the bull by the horns.

Enough BS'ing. It's time to poo or get off the pot.

[Pops16]

Someone means business.


Get the plan done, Mario. And give a big "F you" to everyone. You don't owe anyone anything.

Agreed.

[Slick, Arnold]

....is Mario giving up?

No, he has to say it in order to get a decent deal. This type of crap is what he worked so hard to avoid by setting up the IOC plan. He was also trying to avoid this situation personally by selling the team before it came to this.

Mario did NOT want to have to play this game, but here he is playing it. What his keeping of the team here does is provide the absolute most leverage for working out plan B. There will be no language in purchasing agreements that keep the team here, and no highly-publicized promises from buyers to keep the team here either.

Mario has all of the chips in his favor and should be able to work out a good deal, or leave. The politicos know he's pissed and also know that they've used up all of his good will in the last 7 years, so now it begins...

[WildKaper]

Someone means business.


Get the plan done, Mario. And give a big "F you" to everyone. You don't owe anyone anything.

Mario should walk into Onarato's office and say, here are your three choices:

1. Build us an Arena under the terms we had with Isle of Capri (Free).

2. Or Buld an Arena after we leave town, and you will be forced to fund it yourself and you will not have a major tenant

3. Or Watch us leave town and keep Mellon Arean, and watch the empty building turn into the world's largest crack house

[passmaster16]

It is absolutely a move designed to maximize his leverage. And I think the politicians know what's going on and knew that this would be coming. I heard on Onorato's various interviews yesterday acknowledge the statements given by Bettman and the Penguins were attempts to negotiate a better deal.

[jjj5032]

[SportsFan]

Someone means business.


Get the plan done, Mario. And give a big "F you" to everyone. You don't owe anyone anything.

Mario should walk into Onarato's office and say, here are your three choices:

1. Build us an Arena under the terms we had with Isle of Capri (Free).

I am sure their is 290 million hidden away between the struggling city of Pittsburgh and the county somewhere.

[Jesse]

Someone means business.


Get the plan done, Mario. And give a big "F you" to everyone. You don't owe anyone anything.

Mario should walk into Onarato's office and say, here are your three choices:

1. Build us an Arena under the terms we had with Isle of Capri (Free).

I am sure their is 290 million hidden away between the struggling city of Pittsburgh and the county somewhere.

Well, it obviously won't be free, but it needs to be a bit better in regards to terms.

People, we really aren't ALL that far off. We'll be okay. Mario will do this his way.

[Kovy27]

I guess Kansas City is currently crying in their egg nog.

[TheHammer24]

That's scary stern.

Now I have to sit and **** my pants every week I see a PG article about Mario talking to government leaders of other citites.

Roller Coast END!

[SportsFan]

Las Vegas is starting to look more and more like a home.

[Guins]

Las Vegas is starting to look more and more like a home.

Do a little research ,no arena,mayor said they WILL NOT build one one for ANYBODY.what are 12 years old?

[Jesse]

That's scary stern.

Now I have to sit and **** my pants every week I see a PG article about Mario talking to government leaders of other citites.

Roller Coast END!

Go-Go Gadget ARENA!

[Jim]

Wheeling and Johnstown should start planning to clean up their arenas. They are going to get a lot busier next year.

[WildKaper]

Someone means business.


Get the plan done, Mario. And give a big "F you" to everyone. You don't owe anyone anything.

Mario should walk into Onarato's office and say, here are your three choices:

1. Build us an Arena under the terms we had with Isle of Capri (Free).

I am sure their is 290 million hidden away between the struggling city of Pittsburgh and the county somewhere.

I am not trying to suggest that the city isn't is financial trouble. I am simply saying the city/county/state better pony up now, because one way or another, either the city, county, or state will wind up paying for a new "multi-purpose" facility reguardless of whether the Penguins stay or leave. Will the penguins pay absolutely nothing, no probably not. But I guarantee you they will not pay a penny more than the Pirates did, especially since their venue will be used less by the team (not considering practices) and more by outside events (concerts, Circus, Monster Truck crap, basketball exhibition, etc).

[arizonahotrock]

I understand that the statement is for leverage...but, honestly...even if it was Mario giving up...who could blame the guy?

He's done so much for the Pens and this city and they consistently slap him in the face. This has been an ongoing issue for SEVEN years and there has been no progress. And the only shimmer of progress was shot down because apparently a team of mentally disabled single-celled organisms run the show. The man has to be so incredibly frustrated in not knowing or understanding why keeping the Penguins franchise is not a top priority in this city. We built two brand new facilities for the Steelers and the Pirates...why does a team who has only recently not played up to expectations get the shaft? The Pirates haven't had a winning record in FOURTEEN years! They only nights they sell out are fireworks nights. And they have cheap tickets! The Pens consistently draw 14k on average (I don't have an actual figure...just a guesstamation based off of my personal experiences)...even when they were a below .500 team!

If the city is so stupidly ignoring Lemieux and the Pens...eff em. All I ask is if Lemieux moves the team...I want him to take me with him.

Sorry, that was kind of rambling...but, there's just so much frustration/anger/sadness/disbelief flowing through me right now, it's hard to make a complete sentence, let alone a compelling argument.

[SportsFan]

Las Vegas is starting to look more and more like a home.

Do a little research ,no arena,mayor said they WILL NOT build one one for ANYBODY.what are 12 years old?

Wow, chill with the insults buddy. I am saying what WTAE just mentioned.

[Corban87]

Well, my biggest fear since yesterday was that Mario was going to sell to the highest bidder and not really care to talk about Plan B. At least this is an indication that he is not going to sell and will at least listen to our beloved politicians.

O please get this done