December 3, 2006
Without new building, Pens are gone TheFourthPeriod.com
One item on the agenda for tomorrow's board of governors meeting is the approval of the sale of the Pittsburgh Penguins to Jim Balsillie.
While the meeting is merely a formality, there are widespread reports suggesting the team will eventually move if they fail to secure a new building.
According to the Ottawa Sun, Houston remains the No. 1 candidate if the franchise does decide to move, while other reports suggest Kansas City is an option.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman warned the Penguins' future in Pittsburgh is uncertain if the Isle of Capri casino chain isn't awarded a license next month to build a slot machines parlor in the city.
Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. has promised to build a $290 million arena to replace 45-year-old Mellon Arena, at no cost to taxpayers or the team, if awarded the license.
"If the Isle of Capri doesn't get the license, we've got a lot of uncertainty to deal with, and it's best for everybody and the franchise that we're not dealing in uncharted and uncertain waters," Bettman said.
Speculation out of Toronto claims owner-to-be Jim Balsillie would consider moving the team to the Kitchener/Waterloo area of Ontario, which is just on the outskirts of the Toronto and Buffalo territories.
Balsillie is Chairman and co-CEO of Research in Motion, a company based in Waterloo, that makes BlackBerry wireless devices.
