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Post by Un-Frozen Rich on Mar 13, 2007 8:29:01 GMT -5
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Post by cantonfan on Mar 13, 2007 18:32:37 GMT -5
That's good news, less travling for me to see an NHL game
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Post by The Picks Commissioner on Mar 14, 2007 18:10:59 GMT -5
It's a good time to be a Penguins fan. WOOOOO HOOOOO!
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Post by 1stDownStorm on Mar 14, 2007 18:55:01 GMT -5
Now that the whole arena crap is out of the way, let's go win the Stanley Cup!!!
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Post by Sykotyk on Mar 14, 2007 20:09:18 GMT -5
The big issue I have is the possibility of secondary tenants in the new arena.
Lemieux Group LLC always used an AFL team as a bargaining chip to get a new arena. Now that Lemieux wants to sell, and the arena is already agreed upon, there's no more incentive for a team. A new owner may not want a team. if so, that leaves the possibility that any potential AFL team in the arena would come in the form of a third-party owner. The Rooney's have already expressed no interest in the AFL, feeling it's not 'real football'. I doubt Cuban will be interested.
Without an extremely big name, I doubt the arena will give in too much for a lease.
If that's the case, may we see the arena bending so far for the Penguins (a la the GEC in Nashville) that any third-party ownership group would have a whale of a time getting their foot in the door without losing massive amounts of cash, both through high rent and limited revenue streams (signage, concessions, VIP parking, etc).
This may be the death knell of any AFL, or any league, from taking residence in the new Pens arena.
Sykotyk
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Post by UnoBomber on Mar 14, 2007 20:34:45 GMT -5
Yeah it's not real football...  Honestly if the Penguins left, it wouldn't affect me. I'm a Capitals fan. Though would be sad none the less. But honestly what's the point of having a new arena if nothing else but the Penguins can pay to use it? |
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Post by Un-Frozen Rich on Mar 14, 2007 20:39:08 GMT -5
Actually Lemieux and Ron Burkle have taken the Pens off of the market, so the hope for the AFL isn't as dim as you think. They'd be crazy to want to sell the Pens with the sweet deal they just got (100% of revenues!) combined with the massive fan support, and marquee talent.
Adding a tenant like the AFL would be a good move for them. The Gladiators are pretty low in attendance -- maybe we can get the same team name we had before and move 'em to the Burgh!
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Post by The Picks Commissioner on Mar 16, 2007 19:57:30 GMT -5
Actually Lemieux and Ron Burkle have taken the Pens off of the market, so the hope for the AFL isn't as dim as you think. They'd be crazy to want to sell the Pens with the sweet deal they just got (100% of revenues!) combined with the massive fan support, and marquee talent. Adding a tenant like the AFL would be a good move for them. The Gladiators are pretty low in attendance -- maybe we can get the same team name we had before and move 'em to the Burgh! Just make the black and gold color scheme adjustment and we're set. |
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Post by 1stDownStorm on Mar 16, 2007 22:07:24 GMT -5
Grand Rapids probably is considering relocating. They only had 4917 fans for the game against the Soul last night. Granted, it was a Thursday night game, but still, some AIFA teams draw more than that.
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Post by Sykotyk on Mar 17, 2007 7:43:25 GMT -5
When will people think before they type. Grand Rapids Rampage are owned by Dan DeVos, CEO of Amway. He's from Grand Rapids, co-owns the Grand Rapids Griffins hockey team (the Van Andels, whose namesake is on the arena own the other half) and has no need or want to leave. His brother owns the Orlando Magic.
Back in the IHL when he or his company (DP Fox Sports and Entertainment) had the Kansas City IHL team, the Orlando SolarBears of the IHL, and also owned the Wichita Stealth of the AF2, he had a decision of keeping one team when the IHL folded and let their teams absorb into the AHL. And that was the Griffins.
He's not going to move the team. He has a sweet lease in Grand Rapids and could lose $5 million a year for the rest of his life and still have plenty of money.
Sykotyk
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The announcement is supposed to come before tonight's game against Buffalo! It's about time! New arena won't be done until 2009-2010 season though.
