Lemieux: Pens off market, will explore relocation offers

Lemieux, exasperated the Penguins still don't have a replacement for 45-year-old Mellon Arena, warned Monday that there would be considerable uncertainty if Plan B became the only option. But, until now, he has not actively sought offers from other cities.

"I'm not sure about Plan B," Lemieux said. "Plan B, in my opinion, is going to use taxpayers' money. I've never heard of a government turning down $290 million in private money to build a public facility. It's unheard of. At this point, frankly, I'm really not sure of what's going to come of it."

While the Penguins were discouraged by the Isle of Capri's failure to obtain the slots license, they are now in position to negotiate a more favorable arena agreement.

Lemieux can use relocation as a powerful bargaining chip, and thus apply even more pressure on government officials to reach a deal quickly. Privately, Lemieux group executives have said the team would relocate only if it became certain there would be no new arena.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman met recently in Pittsburgh with Onorato and Ravenstahl, presumably to discuss how Plan B would work if the Isle of Capri wasn't chosen. Onorato and Ravenstahl also called Bettman following the gaming board decision.

Despite the Penguins' long-standing arena issues, Pittsburgh remains one of the NHL's strongest U.S. markets. The Penguins, who have no NBA team in town to draw away attention and fans, played to 92 percent of arena capacity last season, despite a fourth consecutive last-place finish.

Ticket sales are strong for the rest of this season. TV ratings also are among the highest of any U.S. city.

Bettman's desire to keep the Penguins in Pittsburgh is one reason he wouldn't allow the sale to go through without strong contract language that prevented Balsillie from moving the team.

Pittsburgh's other two major sports teams, the Steelers and Pirates, also gained their new stadiums in 2001 following similar Plan B negotiations with political leaders. The original plan to fund the stadiums through a county sales tax hike was overwhelmingly rejected by voters.