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Penguins may accelerate Kansas City talks next week
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The Penguins may accelerate talks with officials in Kansas City sometime next week if they aren't able to soon conclude negotiations in Pittsburgh on a new arena deal, a source close to the team said today.
However, even if the team stepped up those efforts, it does not mean it would end negotiations with state and local politicians on a deal here, the source stressed. Talks would proceed simultaneously on both fronts.
The Penguins are facing a soft 30-day deadline, one that expires this weekend, in providing an answer to Kansas City officials. Representatives in that city are offering the team free use of the $276 million Sprint Center next season, no construction costs, and half of the building revenues.
At the same time, Gov. Ed Rendell, Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl are trying to complete an agreement to build a new arena and keep the team here under the Plan B funding formula utilizing gambling revenues and contributions from the team.
Mr. Onorato told an Airport Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast crowd this morning that he is still optimistic about keeping the team. State and local officials earlier this week presented the Penguins with a revised offer that could serve as a basis for an agreement.
More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
First Published February 2, 2007 12:00 am
