Fox Sports Pittsburgh (FSP) "claimed in a court
complaint" filed yesterday against the Penguins that the
team "broke a settlement agreement both parties signed June
23," according to Joe Starkey of the Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-
REVIEW. The complaint, filed in Allegheny County Common
Pleas Court, said that the team "failed to pay" $1.2M in
advertising fees that were due July 23. FSP "also filed
actions" against Penguins co-Owner Roger Marino and Dir of
Business Development Bill Craig. The actions, which "are
additions to an earlier lawsuit [FSP] filed against the
Penguins," claim Marino and Craig "are attempting to break
the team's contract with the network." Marino declined
comment, and Craig could not be reached. After Marino tried
to launch Marino Sports Television (MST), Fox gained an
injunction and the case was scheduled to go to court on June
29, but the two sides signed an agreement in which the team
is "prohibited from trying to terminate their contract with
Fox." But FSP said in its complaint that, "Despite the
entry of the consent decree, MST, Marino and Craig has used
confidential information from Fox in violation of the June
agreement and has solicited employees of Fox to work at
MST." FSP asked for a quick hearing (TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 8/28).
A MARINO FAN: In Pittsburgh, Bob Smizik writes that
"it's only a matter of time" before the Marino-Howard
Baldwin ownership dispute is resolved, and the city "will be
stuck with Marino." Smizik: "But maybe Marino in charge
won't be so bad. ... Before we continue to vilify Marino for
his public relations blunders, consider how much of his own
money he has spent trying to right this franchise. He's
more saviour than scoundrel." Smizik concludes: "Because of
the lease and the debt left over from the Baldwin years ...
it is going to be very hard to right this team. ... But give
Marino some credit. He's trying to save hockey for
Pittsburgh, not kill it" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 8/28).
