Lemieux’s Lament: Penguins’ future?
When NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman visited the Panthers earlier this month, he was asked whether the league might consider moving the team and if cities such as Winnipeg and Quebec City might get a franchise.
Bettman insisted the Panthers weren’t going anywhere and while other cities have expressed interest in a team, the league has “no interest or need for relocation.” He paused and continued, “The only possible team on the horizon would be Pittsburgh, if they don’t get a new building.”
On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board voted to award Pittsburgh’s slot machine license to Detroit-based developer Don H. Barden’s PITG Gaming, throwing the Penguins’ future in the city into doubt. The team and the league had been hoping the license would be granted to Isle of Capri Casinos, which had agreed to build a $290 million arena, if it had been granted the license. Isle of Capri also owns Pompano Park Harness Track.
“The decision by the Gaming Commission was terrible news for the Penguins, their fans and the NHL,” Bettman said in a statement. “The future of this franchise in Pittsburgh is uncertain and the Penguins now will have to explore all other options, including possible relocation.”
During his stop at BankAtlantic Center, Bettman said the league was not concerned about slots revenue being used to help pay for an arena. “I think people tend to overstate gambling,” he said. “First of all, it doesn’t involve a sports book and secondly, it’s legal.”
The last time an NHL franchise moved was in 1997 when the Hartford Whalers became the Carolina Hurricanes.
CRAIG DAVIS In more than 33 years at the Sun Sentinel, Craig Davis has written about a wide variety of sports topics from baseball to yachting, fishing to triathlons, and also worked as a copy editor and page designer. Recently he reported on local sports, including running, swimming, cycling, equestrian and beach volleyball. He enjoys sports as a participant as well as a spectator, is active in the South Florida running scene plays in the curling club at Saveology Iceplex. This blog offers a glimpse at the business side of sports in the interest of enhancing enjoyment of the games and sporting options as a spectator as well as a participant.
