04/23/24
June 27, 2006
Cuban on ice with a side of Marino: Mark Cuban and Dan Marino join up to bid on their hometown Pittsburgh Penguins.
posted by SummersEve to hockey at 12:50 PM - 18 comments
The reports I've seen and the interviews I've hard with Cuban ... it's always IF either the Pirates or Cubs were for sale, neither of which is in play, he might be interested ... a bit different than "trying to buy" (where I've seen "quoted" several places, not just by Boxscore above). Considering the Cubs and Pirates are in the same division as my Reds, I'm happy to see Cuban spend his money on a hockey club that doesn't impact me as much. And, I don't think he'd otherwise be dissuaded by any teams' record ... I think his egomaniacal side thrives on that kind of challenge. As a fan, I wouldn't be too upset if he bought my team.
posted by littleLebowski at 02:03 PM on June 27, 2006
Ideally, Cuban buys the Penguins, moves them to Kansas, renames them the Chiefs, & the Wings move to the East to fill in the spot just vacated!
posted by RedStrike at 02:06 PM on June 27, 2006
I think whichever team he buys will have the refs against him from the get-go. He opens his mouth way too often. His mouth cost his Mavs the NBA title this year. Some of the calls against the Mavs were so bgus it was sick!! If he chooses to be quiet, then his teams will succeed. He is a great owner as far as taking care of his players, but he just needs to watch his mouth.
posted by BigBadMan at 02:25 PM on June 27, 2006
On Dallas radio this morning, they were mistakenly reporting that Cuban was seeking to buy the Pirates, which seemed like old news. The Penguins makes a little more sense. But I think he would only be doing it as an investment. He could have bought the Dallas Stars, which play in the same arena as his Mavs, but declined. Penguins should be a lot cheaper. Also, I doubt the NHL has much to worry about. NHL and NBA seasons coincide. He might go to some Penguin games, but he won't be able to go on the ice like he does the court. Also, not as many timeouts in hockey.
posted by graymatters at 02:50 PM on June 27, 2006
It could be a good investment to buy the Penguins, considering the young talent they have and the fact that Pittsburgh is a good hockey town since way back.
posted by rumple at 03:19 PM on June 27, 2006
This is great news for the Penguins. An owner with bottomless pockets, concerned with winning. Additionally on the plus side, he likely knows shit about hockey, and will have to defer to the experts. What a great day for Penguins fans if this deal goes through. And they've got superior talent coming up with Crosby, Malkin and, now, Staal. I seriously doubt he's buying them to move them. It's his hometown and he's a damn billionaire.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 03:25 PM on June 27, 2006
Edit: Exactly, Weedy... He says he would only buy them if they stay in Pittsburgh. I don't know that the NHL would worry about Cuban owning a team. I think they'd dance a jig to have a personality like Cuban in the league. Especially when it's a really rich guy owning his hometown, struggling team like the Penguins. And really especially when that really rich guy is joined by a couple other really rich guys including one who was really, really good quarterback. And the whole point of this is the Penguins won't stay in Pittsburgh if they don't get a new arena. Which is why a guy like Cuban would buy the team. Not that he would, but he could probably foot the $300 million bill for a new arena. But more importantly, he's a business man and can find investors for a new building. Unlike the current, totally inept ownership group.
posted by SummersEve at 03:29 PM on June 27, 2006
All this rain on my dream of the Wings triumphant return to the East has me singing those Ugly Ole Penguin Baby Blues!
posted by RedStrike at 03:37 PM on June 27, 2006
Personally, I like Cuban. I like the way he takes a hands-on approach with his team. He doesn't care if he's politically correct, and speaks his mind. He looks and acts like your average, everyday Joe-Schmoe who happens to have a butt load of money. I say let him buy the Penguins! I'd love to see him slamming the glass and hollering at Mick McGeough...
posted by wingnut4life at 03:50 PM on June 27, 2006
The other owners would HATE to have Cuban (and Marino) as a colleague, but everyone else even tangentially related to hockey should be very very happy about the prospect. The only issue is how badly ownership in Boston and Chicago will want to try to teach him a lesson (one they need to be taught).
posted by mikelbyl at 10:05 PM on June 27, 2006
He could have bought the Dallas Stars, which play in the same arena as his Mavs, but declined. Huh? Is Tom Hicks selling the Stars? I highly doubt that. Go to any Stars game vs. any Rangers game, and it's obvious that the Stars are a much more solid franchise and investment for Hicks. I really dislike him as an owner of both franchises, but I can't see him selling the Stars right now. At least they made the playoffs. That said, Penguin fans should absolutely embrace this prospect. In spite of Cuban's antics, face the facts: he turned the worst franchise in all of major sports in the 90's into a Finals contender in 6 years. He's willing to do what it takes and the Peng's have some great, young key pieces. I'd be dancing in the streets of the Three River area if I lived there.
posted by Ufez Jones at 10:52 PM on June 27, 2006
Tom Hicks had the Stars up for sale in 2003. Cuban showed some interest, but decided to take a wait and see approach with the lockout loomimg. The Penguins' FANS would be the big winners if Cuban bought the team. Of the three owners of major sports teams in DFW, Cuban treats the fans a lot better than Jerry Jones or Tom Hicks could ever imagine.
posted by wljranch at 11:23 PM on June 27, 2006
Mark Cuban as an NHL owner makes a lot more sense then even Mark Cuban as an NBA owner, at least in my mind. And Marino's a hometown boy, so as a Penguin fan this would be a very promising development all the way around. Plus, how long does a franchise have to exist before it's part of the landscape of a city? The Penguins have been around for three and a half decades, and two generations of Pittsburghers have grown up with the Pens as part of their daily lives. At times, they were the only good thing going in that town. That said, I thought the main obstacle to Cuban buying any other team (and he said this himself more than once) is that his wife thought he was already spread too thin, and he trusted her judgement. It sounds like there's been a reconsidering of this. Perhaps Cuban won't be there as often as Marino would be, and that's why Marino's involved (it's not like Cuban would need the extra capital). On the whole, this is good news, but I'm definitely not celebrating until it all pans out. It sounds like there's another piece to this that hasn't come down yet.
posted by chicobangs at 11:24 AM on June 28, 2006
Ideally, Cuban buys the Penguins, moves them to Kansas Don't ever wish that on any city of fans. Jokingly or not. Take it from a browns fan, when your team gets moved, it sucks. Especially if that is your favorite sport. It really is a life altering experience. Try going just one season without watching any of your favorite teams games on TV, much less going to them live. It would be funny watching Cuban try to keep his balance while running onto the ice to argue a penalty call though.
posted by jojomfd1 at 03:44 PM on June 28, 2006
It would be funny watching Cuban try to keep his balance while running onto the ice to argue a penalty call though. Do you think the NHL would devise a Technical (penalty shot into an open net) just for Mark?
posted by wljranch at 07:04 PM on June 28, 2006
Do you think the NHL would devise a Technical (penalty shot into an open net) just for Mark? Only if he had to take it from center ice, while on skates, in full goalie attire. That would be funny. Don't get me wrong, I love Cuban, he is what every owner should be. A fan first, and not afraid to show it. I love the fact that he is right there courtside screaming right along with everybody else. The big difference is he can hurt the team also, unfortunately.
posted by jojomfd1 at 09:05 PM on June 28, 2006
The Penguins situation is still up in the air here. Will they stay? Are they going? Is a new arena getting built? I can't see them staying if they have to play in Mellon Arena. I'd like to see them stay because I think their future is bright. Rumor was that Cuban had his eye on the Pirates at one point. I guess being 25 games under .500 will change someones mind.