Penguins Might Be Moving Inland

When deciding whether or not to purchase a sports team, one of the most important parts is trying to figure out where to put them. Now add to the mix that they not only need an arena, but they also need an ice skating rink in that arena, and things start getting tricky. After all, not everyone has a hockey rink sitting in their proverbial back yard.

Sam Fingold has decided that he wants to take a shot at making it work, and has offered to buy the Pittsburgh Penguins. He offered $175 million with his initial purchase price offering, and had thirty days in which to finalize the deal. That date has expired, but Fingold still has an opportunity to make it work – but where to put them?

He would like to keep them in Pittsburgh, but they need to build them a new stadium. Kansas City has already offered their new Sprint Center, and if Fingold goes with that option, the Penguins could be on their way as early as 2007. It all depends on what happens with the slot machine licensing. If Isle of Capri is granted a slot machine license, they have pledged $290 million to a new stadium. If someone else gets it, then half of the stadium would be paid for, with the owner having to foot the bill for the remainder of the cost. With the lease on the current stadium running out at the end of the upcoming season, something needs to be decided quickly.

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