Pens Tidbits

[skidboot]

I'd say I'm an hr away from you.


Nice weather we've been having eh.

[Jeremy]

All this arena nonsense will be over Wednesday.

[SteelCityMan786]

Hopefully it's the sounds of funds being paid and pieces of iron and all the other materials needed to build an arena are being put together.

[Petesburgh66]

Alright, Frankie wants to buy the team

TSN.ca Staff

12/17/2006 12:13:34 PM

According to a report in the Ottawa Citizen, Steelback Brewery owner Frank D'Angelo wants to buy the Pittsburgh Penguins.

D'Angelo, who failed in an attempt to become an owner of a new CFL franchise in Ottawa, thinks he would be a perfect fit to take over the Penguins.

''Steelback beer in Steeltown, what an incredible fit,'' D'Angelo said told the Ottawa Citizen.

D'Angelo is partnered with billionaire Dr. Barry Sherman, chief executive of the drug maker Apotex Inc.

''We are going to be pursuing every avenue to get into the sports business, and what better way then to invest in a great franchise like the Pittsburgh Penguins,'' D'Angelo told the paper. ''We want to go in there, buy the team, and make sure it has a proper home. The City of Pittsburgh deserves to keep its team.''

D'Angelo told the Citizen that he and Sherman were trying to set up a meeting with Penguins and they would hold a news conference later this week if the meeting were to go well.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=188799&hubname=

[skidboot]

we'll see on that one.

[X-Terminator]

If it happens, great. But I'm not holding my breath.

It all comes down to Wednesday.

[83-Steelers-43]

From the PPG:

Toronto businessman interested in Penguins
Monday, December 18, 2006

By Dave Molinari, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Add Toronto businessman Frank D'Angelo and a billionaire partner, Dr. Barry Sherman, to the list of prospective buyers for the Penguins.

D'Angelo told Canadian Press yesterday that he and Sherman are considering making an offer for the franchise and hope to meet with Penguins CEO Ken Sawyer this week.

He also was adamant that he would keep the team in Pittsburgh, regardless of whether Isle of Capri, which has pledged $290 million to an arena if it gets the license to operate a slots parlor here, gets that license.

"We have absolutely no intention of moving the team," D'Angelo told CP.

D'Angelo said he and Sherman could finance an arena, if necessary, because one of his products, Steelback beer, would benefit from the rink's naming rights and being able to supply beverages for the facility.

D'Angelo and Sherman recently failed in an attempt to get a Canadian Football League franchise in Ottawa.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06352/747042-61.stm

[83-Steelers-43]

I like the fellow pizan already. Buy away....

[83-Steelers-43]

Lemiuex: Balsille deal dead; sale on hold until slots awarded
Monday, December 18, 2006

By Shelley Anderson, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Saying that the deal with Canadian billionaire Jim Balsille is dead, Penguins owner Mario Lemieux said today the sale of the team is on hold until after the state slots licences are awarded Wednesday. Lemieux, who held a news conference at the arena late this afternoon, made another pitch for the Isle of Capri gaming company, which has an agreement with the Penguins to give $290 million towards construction of a new arena if its gets the city's slots license. "I've never heard of a government turning down $290 million in private money for a new facility," Lemieux said. Lemieux declined to talk about any scenarios including one in which he and his partners would retain ownership. Balsille pulled out of a purchase agreement with the team on Friday. Lemieux said Balsille will forfeit his deposit, believed to be $10 million.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06352/747118-100.stm

[Petesburgh66]

D'Angelo announces bid for Penguins

Canadian Press

12/18/2006 5:01:40 PM

TORONTO (CP) - Brewery owner Frank D'Angelo has officially declared his interest in the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins.

Confirming what he told The Canadian Press on Sunday, the president and CEO of Steelback Brewery and D'Angelo Brands issued a statement Monday saying he is putting together an offer for the Pens in the wake of would-be buyer Jim Balsillie's decision Friday to back off.

D'Angelo said former hockey legend Phil Esposito was to co-ordinate a meeting with Penguins president Ken Sawyer. D'Angelo also repeated he has no interest in moving the Penguins.

''Absolutely not,'' he said in the statement. ''Pittsburgh has a rich history of championship hockey with an established fan base in the world's premier league. This team isn't going anywhere.''

D'Angelo, whose bid for a CFL franchise in Ottawa was recently turned down, says he and billionaire partner Barry Sherman were teaming up to make an offer.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is also believed to have renewed interest in looking at the club and Balsillie, co-chief executive officer of BlackBerry maker Research In Motion Ltd (TSX:RIM), also apparently remains in the picture despite Friday's developments.

This is a big week for the Penguins. Isle of Capri Casinos Inc., has promised to build a US$290-million arena to replace the 45-year-old Mellon Arena - at no cost to taxpayers or the team - if it obtains a slot machine licence from the state.

A decision on the licence is expected Wednesday. Isle of Capri is one of three bidders for the licence.

Balsillie's deal fell through, according to sources, due to his unhappiness with the NHL's conditions in the final sale agreement that would see him make every effort to keep the team in Pittsburgh.

D'Angelo told CP on Sunday that he and Sherman could build their own rink if Isle of Capri loses out on the slot machine licence, benefitting from the building's naming rights and supplying the beverages there.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=188926&hubname=

Esposito = Sorry, this mamaluke is an idiot when it comes running a hockey team.