Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy, "in some of his toughest
rhetoric to date," yesterday "flatly ruled out talks with
the current owners of the Penguins on the possibility of a
new arena," according to Ann Belser of the PITTSBURGH POST-
GAZETTE. Murphy cited Penguins co-Owners Roger Marino and
Howard Baldwin's "failure to honor past commitments to the
city," including a deal to stay at Civic Arena through 2007
and the team's tax delinquency. Murphy, through
spokesperson Craig Kwiecinski: "How can we be expected to
negotiate in good faith with this ownership group given
their past history?" Murphy added that the ownership group
might have "worn out its welcome," and that it's "time for a
new Penguins owner, one who will deal with the city in good
faith" (PITTBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 2/18). Meanwhile, Mario
Lemieux's interest in the team is examined by USA TODAY's
Kevin Allen. Lemieux is talking to a list of possible
investors with PA ties, which "is presumed to include"
Arnold Palmer, Dan Marino and actor Michael Keaton.
Lemieux: "We need some big guys to come in and get involved,
and we have a pretty good idea of who we want to do that.
But it's difficult to say until you get the check." Allen
notes that Lemieux "has no desire" to be partners with Roger
Marino despite the co-owner's wishes (USA TODAY, 2/18).
