The IceBurgh Returns...PA Politicians Say No to Free Arena

After an extended hiatus, The IceBurgh returns on a day with big Pens news, unfortunately its bad news.

To the shock of no one the Isle of Capris didn't get the slots license. Somewhat suprising is that neither did the Harrah's Forest City group long considered a lock due to reported connections with Pa Governor Ed Rendell.

The PITG/North Side group headed by Detroit business man Don Barden won the bid.

The Post Gazette has the gory details.

Where does all this leave the Pens? Well with no public money available for an arena and the Balsille bid gone, Mario is left with a team with an expiring lease in a crappy old building.

And the press in Kansas City has wasted no time in trumpeting the improved prospects of the talented young Pens moving into their already built Sprint Center arena.

Will the politicians be able to come up w/ a plan b that is more viable than an offer from another city? And now there is talk that the Steelers and the Rooney's have some claim to the land that Barden wants to use on the North side and that may further confuse the issue.