Penguins co-Owner Howard Baldwin "ended his self-
imposed exile from the team's decision-making process
yesterday," as he is "tired of watching from afar, tired of
watching the heavy-handed methods" of co-Owner Roger Marino,
whose "financial input has put him in control of the
franchise," according to Bob Smizik of the PITTSBURGH POST-
GAZETTE. Baldwin: "I'm coming in there and rolling up my
sleeves and going to work. I want to get in there again and
work toward making the business good." Baldwin "emphasized
this was not a power struggle with Marino, but he did not
deny that they have contrasting operating styles." Baldwin:
"Obviously, I'm very unhappy with the events of the last
couple of months. It's not my style to go to war with
anybody." Baldwin has "put a high priority" on resolving
Mario Lemieux's lawsuit against the team, and bringing
Lemieux back to the organization. Baldwin "wants to form a
working coalition with Marino in which each would share in
the decision-making process," but he "did not rule out the
possibility of one of the partners leaving." When asked if
he could be bought out, Baldwin said, "It's not something I
would want, but, sure, his pockets are deeper than mine."
Baldwin, on whether he would buy out Marino if he could find
the financial backing: "You bet" (POST-GAZETTE, 7/1).
