With the same flare, or arrogance, which Lemieux displayed while embarrassing Hall-of-Fame defenders, state officials abruptly yanked several revenue streams from the table in a 90-minute face-to-face meeting, January 19, with Penguins officials and co-owner Ron Burkle.
Burkle was reportedly stunned after the state proposed the Penguins keep 100 percent of the building revenue for hockey and non-hockey events, but share parking and local development revenues with Don Barden.
Barden's group defeated Lemieux and the Isle of Capris (IOC) for the infamous slots license. The IOC had committed to build an arena for the Penguins if it won the license.
In addition to sharing some revenues with Barden, and the estimated $20 million to $40 million in upfront arena costs, the Penguins were also asked to pay rent for their new facility, in excess of $2 million per year.
Yes, pay rent for a building they're supposed to own.
The new proposal was met like a two-handed slash to the wrists.
The deal is considered, by the Penguins, to be worse than the proposed rent-free existence at the aging Mellon Arena until a new barn could be completed.
Conversely, Kansas City's bid to land Team Lemieux includes sharing building revenues for hockey and non-hockey events, but the building would be free and rent-free.
Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, who was personally involved in the meetings, took a surprisingly public approach. Mr. Rendell claimed the deal offered to the Lemieux Group was the best NHL deal "in recent times" and clearly better than Kansas City's bid.
He further turned up the heat on Lemieux, when he revealed select private details of the January 19 meeting. In a move seemingly designed to shame Penguin officials, Rendell claimed the Penguins asked the State to pick-up the tab for a $10 million payment due to the IOC, which would be owed if the IOC did not receive the slots license -- but the Penguins still obtained an arena in Pittsburgh.
If you're keeping track, that is between $90 million and $110 million the Penguins are being asked to contribute towards the $290 million arena.
Rendell used his political savvy to paint Lemiuex into a corner and succeeded. However, Mr. Rendell failed to account for the famous temper that occasionally drove Lemieux as a player (recall Lemieux pummeling then-Florida defenseman Brad Ference with vicious uppercuts during a game on February 23, 2003).
It has been a long seven-years since Super Mario again saved the team and told city officials he needed to replace the league's oldest arena. Back then, he was merely embittered when city officials reneged on their promise to build.
Now, he is angry.
Pennsylvania officials seem to have forgotten those transgressions, and forget they are in hand-to-hand combat for Lemieux's franchise.
After so many denials, retreats, and rejections, Pittsburgh may have one last round to win the competition with a knockout punch. Or, it could be the Pittsburgh fans who really feel the punch.
