Be careful what you ask for
 The Kansas City Penguins? I don't think so.It was announced yesterday by Tim Leiweke, President of A.E.G. that "we are not here to steal the Penguins from Pittsburgh." If that's the case, why is A.E.G. offering them no rent, and no buyin to the facility. He did mention something about being "a partner and a position in the management group." Basically free rent, no fiscal responsibility and a chunk of the profits. If they're not trying to steal the team, why are they making offers? Touring the arena is fine, but no financial terms should be discussed until the Penguins officially break off negotiations with Pittsburgh. KC doesn't need the Penguins. This is a team that can't make it in Pittsburgh. Not because of their arena. Because of their LOSING. They have the lowest attendance in the league. They blame a substandard arena. Are you kidding me? I know people from St. Louis that are still mad that they can't go see the Blues in the old Kiel. Ever been there? Not exactly a shining star. But it was a great place to watch good hockey. What the Penguins need is a winning team. Put a Stanley Cup on display in that old arena Mario Lemieux is complaining about and the fans will come. Not winning in Pittsburgh equals not winning in Kansas City. Just a prettier place to watch losing. Pittsburgh, PA is not our enemy. They are a fellow American city. Seeking to profit from their troubles with a petulant NHL owner is just wrong. Ever heard the old expression "treat people the way you would like to be treated?" I'm just sayin... |
posted by Mark at 8:07 AM
Comments on "Be careful what you ask for"
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My World said ... (11:47 AM) :
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Brent said ... (1:21 PM) :
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Mark said ... (8:19 AM) :
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brent said ... (9:55 AM) :
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hip critic said ... (3:23 PM) :
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Brent said ... (8:40 AM) :
post a commentThere you go again with the big words...Petulant? work with me mark. :-) ha!
I have to disagree with you here Mark. Not in theory, but in reality. The reality is that if KC isn't making offers, or solicitations to the Penguins, San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Omaha, and many others will. There are dozens of places that would LOVE to get an NHL franchise...and they're going to make offers in order to get it. If KC doesn't put it's best foot forward, it won't get anything. It'd be the same way if we were trying to Lure a Fortune 500 company to relocate here...you'll have to pay to play.
I understand Brent. But just because it's a reality doesn't make it right.
How about the reality that we're trying to attract a horrible team? Are they going to start winning just because they're in a new arena? Last time I checked the rink size is the same across the league.
As my dad used to say, you can put a hat on a pig, but it's still a pig.
Doesn't matter if the team is good or not. A good team won't come here -- because they'll be selling out their arena because people are coming to see a good team play. Any team we attract, whether NHL or NBA, will be in the lower 1/3 of teams in the league. You've gotta hope that you get one that is down right now, that being new will fill the arena early, and then by the time "new" wears off, they'll have become competitive. With the young talent that is on the Penguins right now, they're as good of a bet as any.
And just because it's not right, doesn't mean at this point we shouldn't do it...if we're the only ones playing by moral and ethical rules, we'll get stomped on. I just don't like that our officials are denying that that is what we're doing...
Professional Sports teams should never be subsidized by tax dollars. Period. It would be like me asking the city to fund a private, personal, and for-profit venture of my own. I have problems with a multi-billion dollar entity that uses corportae welfare.
I agree with the "paying to play" therory although I believe the professional team should be the ones to pay, since their playing. For real. The prostitutes on the avenue have more integrity than the sharks trying to get free play. At least they're honest about their pursuits.
HC,
I disagree on this one too. Professional sports teams are very big for cities and their identities. Seeing cities rally around their teams gives them a sense of community and a certain commonality. It also puts cities on the National radar -- which helps for tourism and convention dollars. It's what separates Kansas City from Omaha, Wichita or Little Rock. It's what separates Cleveland and Cincinnati from Columbus, OH. It's why Green Bay, WI is more well known than Joplin, MO.
Giving a team $$ to play here is the equivelant of giving a Fortune 100 company the moon to relocate here...in terms of jobs, and tax revenue for the city.
No other type of business gives back to a city like professional sports teams. You may not like it, but it is worth paying for.