Comments on: Pitt-for-Brains http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/2007/03/13/pitt-for-brains/ Where There's Snow, There's Firepower Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:12:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Brad http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/2007/03/13/pitt-for-brains/comment-page-1/#comment-1191 Brad Wed, 14 Mar 2007 18:38:31 +0000 http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/?p=327#comment-1191 The Penguins originally had a deal with a company called Isle of Capris, who was a bidder for Pittsburgh's slot parlor. Under the agreement, Isle of Capris would build the arena as part of a larger entertainment complex. As you said, the revenue for the arena would only come from Pitt's casino, not the statewide take. Pittsburgh decided on a rival bid, leaving the Penguins out in the cold (Har-har!). That's when Kansas City came along saying they could play in the new Sprint Center rent free. The Penguins originally had a deal with a company called Isle of Capris, who was a bidder for Pittsburgh’s slot parlor. Under the agreement, Isle of Capris would build the arena as part of a larger entertainment complex. As you said, the revenue for the arena would only come from Pitt’s casino, not the statewide take.

Pittsburgh decided on a rival bid, leaving the Penguins out in the cold (Har-har!). That’s when Kansas City came along saying they could play in the new Sprint Center rent free.

]]> By: Zeron http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/2007/03/13/pitt-for-brains/comment-page-1/#comment-1190 Zeron Wed, 14 Mar 2007 18:33:52 +0000 http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/?p=327#comment-1190 I though during the last election that Lynn Swann's proposal for the Pittsburgh casino was to have it at a stadium (not sure if it was the Penguins facility) and the revenue from that and the block grants for the casino would help cover the costs of the stadium. Of course Rendell had a financial interest in the other site in Pittsburgh so the deal was dead from the beginning. I though during the last election that Lynn Swann’s proposal for the Pittsburgh casino was to have it at a stadium (not sure if it was the Penguins facility) and the revenue from that and the block grants for the casino would help cover the costs of the stadium. Of course Rendell had a financial interest in the other site in Pittsburgh so the deal was dead from the beginning.

]]> By: Brad http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/2007/03/13/pitt-for-brains/comment-page-1/#comment-1188 Brad Wed, 14 Mar 2007 16:40:45 +0000 http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/?p=327#comment-1188 Yep, the money comes from state-wide slot machine revenue, not just the ones local to the Pittsburgh area. Even though the state isn't footing the entire $290 million, there is absolutely no economic benefit to the city or the state. They might as well just put the money into a big pile and light it on fire. And $290 million to build a hockey arena? Let's assume that they keep it at the current capacity, around 17,000. That averages out to $17,000 PER SEAT. This is a ripoff of the highest degree. Yep, the money comes from state-wide slot machine revenue, not just the ones local to the Pittsburgh area. Even though the state isn’t footing the entire $290 million, there is absolutely no economic benefit to the city or the state. They might as well just put the money into a big pile and light it on fire.

And $290 million to build a hockey arena? Let’s assume that they keep it at the current capacity, around 17,000. That averages out to $17,000 PER SEAT. This is a ripoff of the highest degree.

]]> By: Zeron http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/2007/03/13/pitt-for-brains/comment-page-1/#comment-1187 Zeron Wed, 14 Mar 2007 16:17:45 +0000 http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/?p=327#comment-1187 Great, so the revenue of the Chester Casino is going to go and help build a stadium in Pittsburgh. Just what Chester needs! Great, so the revenue of the Chester Casino is going to go and help build a stadium in Pittsburgh. Just what Chester needs!

]]> By: Cassie http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/2007/03/13/pitt-for-brains/comment-page-1/#comment-1184 Cassie Wed, 14 Mar 2007 15:31:08 +0000 http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/?p=327#comment-1184 Right now the NHL is in trouble...recovering, but still in trouble. I think it would have been better for the penguins to move to Kansas City than to stay in a city that only half wants them. But then, i'd be heart broken if say Detroit decided not to build a new stadium for the Wings when they needed it. But detroit will never give up the Wings. Heck.. right now they are the only team we can count on to win ;~) Right now the NHL is in trouble…recovering, but still in trouble. I think it would have been better for the penguins to move to Kansas City than to stay in a city that only half wants them. But then, i’d be heart broken if say Detroit decided not to build a new stadium for the Wings when they needed it. But detroit will never give up the Wings. Heck.. right now they are the only team we can count on to win ;~)

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