UPDATED (January 11):
I just posted this information as part of a new thread in the "Return of the Jets" section as well.
Just in case there are posters that only go to this section of the message boards, I'm also putting it here.
The roller-coaster ride continues in Pittsburgh. Just a few short days after Mario Lemieux
publicly stated faint hope the Penguins would re-locate in two years,
a tentative agreement has all but been finalized to keep the team there.
All that was left were the Penguins naming a partner to apply for the slots license
that would raise the neccessary funding for the arena.
On December 21st, the Pittsburgh Penguins held a news conference
to announce their gaming partner in the team's quest to acquire a slots license
that will raise $290 million to construct a new arena.
All the slot licenses were submitted as the deadline passed on December 28th.
Today's latest development in Pittsburgh has city, county and state lawmakers
backing the Penguins' new arena plan.
So as the weeks and months go by while all applications are reviewed, we'll see where this goes.
You will find all the information right here. Any additional updates could be added if needed.
*Pittsburgh Penguins official press releases(December 21):
www.pittsburghpenguins.com/team/features/arts/1544.0.php"Penguins announce gaming partner in exciting arena/development proposal"
(January 11):
www.pittsburghpenguins.com/team/press/arts/1589.0.php"18 elected leaders endorse Penguins' plan for new arena, casino, development"
*KDKA-TV (Pittsburgh)see video clips at all hyperlinks below(December 13):
kdka.com/sports/local_story_347140405.html"Pittsburgh hockey crisis averted?"
(December 21):
kdka.com/topstories/local_story_355161502.html"Pens name gaming partner"
kdka.com/topstories/local_story_355163111.html"Downtown business owners would welcome new arena"
(December 22):
kdka.com/local/local_story_356163536.html"Slots license all or nothing for Penguins"
(December 23):
kdka.com/sports/local_story_357164232.html"Pens to face stiff competition for slots license"
(December 26):
kdka.com/sports/local_story_360184418.html"Applicants clamoring for city's slots license"
(December 27):
kdka.com/sports/local_story_361193124.html"Slots application deadline rapidly approaching"
(January 11):
kdka.com/topstories/local_story_011074011.html"Officials support new arena plans"
*WTAE-TV (Pittsburgh)see video clips at second and third hyperlinks(December 13):
www.thepittsburghchannel.com/sports/5526336/detail.html"Allegheny County executive discusses Penguins' future"
(December 21):
www.thepittsburghchannel.com/sports/5597240/detail.html"Deal with gambling group promises new arena"
(December 27):
www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/5680137/detail.html"Pittsburgh slots license: Is new arena key?"
(January 11):
www.thepittsburghchannel.com/sports/6000442/detail.html"Lawmakers back arena-casino plan; Pens tour Columbus"
*WPXI-TV (Pittsburgh)see video clips at second and third hyperlinks(December 13):
www.wpxi.com/sports/5529656/detail.html"Officials scramble to finance Penguins deal"
(December 21):
www.wpxi.com/sports/5601040/detail.html"Penguins announce plan for new arena"
(January 11):
www.wpxi.com/sports/6000988/detail.html"Lawmakers push for Pens new arena"
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Penguins page(December 14):
www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/sports/penguinslive/s_403861.html"Bettman believes Pens must have new arena"
(December 21):
www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/trib/pmupdate/s_406254.html"Will Pittsburgh become the next Hartford?"
(December 22):
www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/sports/penguinslive/s_406417.html"Penguins unveil billion-dollar vision for Hill"
www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/sports/penguinslive/s_406426.html"Penguins included in several slots bids"
(December 27):
www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/sports/penguinslive/s_407728.html"Wagner, developer back Pens' bid for new arena"
(December 29):
www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/trib/regional/s_408433.html"With slots plans in, review begins"
(January 11):
www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/trib/pmupdate/s_412526.html"18 local lawmakers supports Penguins' arena plan"
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Penguins page(December 14):
www.post-gazette.com/pg/05348/621907.stm"Pennsylvania, local officials ponder new arena for Penguins"
www.post-gazette.com/pg/05348/621978.stm"Bettman: Lemieux's message is realistic"
(December 22):
www.post-gazette.com/pg/05356/626343.stm"Penguins name Isle of Capri as casino partner for new arena"
(December 27):
www.post-gazette.com/pg/05361/628314.stm"Wagner: Commit casino licensee to new city arena"
(December 29):
www.post-gazette.com/pg/05363/629372.stm"Gambling heavyweights spend millions on Pennsylvania casino applications"
www.post-gazette.com/pg/05363/629404.stm"Another competitor quits slots license race"
(January 11):
www.post-gazette.com/pg/06011/635718.stm"Penguins taking delegation to see Columbus' Arena District development"