Mario Lemieux's financial plan for the Penguins
includes a request from the NHL "to grant the Penguins the
same economic relief currently extended to small-market
Canadian clubs," according to Kevin Paul Dupont of the BOSTON
GLOBE. Currently, if the Senators, Oilers and Flames reach a
ticket-sales goal and various ad sales levels, the league
will "kick back" up to $2.5M to them. Dupont: "Imagine how
the likes of Buffalo and Nashville, two small-market American
clubs, will view that proposed handout." Although Lemieux's
main financial contributor has yet to be made public, "one
wild rumor" in Toronto had Michael Jordan being the mystery
investor. Another rumor said the backer could be Hollywood-
based (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/14). Lemieux said he has organized a
group of financial backers, "including a single significant
investor he refers to only as Mr. Wonderful" (Joe LaPointe,
N.Y. TIMES, 3/14). If Lemieux's plan fails, MI business exec
Harvey Gainey, along with FL investment consultant Chip
Gesner and race-car driver Chip Ganassi, could become
involved in the bidding (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/14). Gesner: "We've
looked at this team since October" (TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 3/14).
