The Penguins' "ownership feud, running strong for three
months, has hit a brick wall," according to Dejan Kovacevic
of the PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE. Penguins co-Owner Howard
Baldwin, on talks with co-Owner Roger Marino: "On our
negotiations, we are at an impasse." Baldwin has been
working toward selling most of his half of the team to
Marino, and the two will take their case next Thursday to
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. In the agreement that
Baldwin and Marino have been negotiating, Baldwin "would
remain with the team as a minority owner but relinquish
control of the franchise to Marino." Baldwin said it was
"very unlikely" that Marino would buy him out completely.
Baldwin, on Marino: "To just throw words around like Chapter
11 and Kansas City ... it's a disservice to the hockey fans
of Pittsburgh. That trip to Kansas City was ill-advised,
ill-timed and inappropriate." Marino did not return phone
calls yesterday (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 8/14).
SEE YA: In K.C., a STAR editorial on Marino's visit and
subsequent announcement that the Penguins would stay in
Pittsburgh: "Given the games-playing he engaged in, it's ...
a nice ending for Kansas City. We really don't need to
attract that kind of person to town" (K.C. STAR, 8/14).
