Pittsburgh, Build Or Say Farewell To Pens

It's only a matter of time before Pittsburgh will lose its National Hockey League franchise now that Ontario businessman Jim Balsillie is about to buy the franchise.

Balsillie owns of the BlackBerry manufacturer Research in Motion. This Associated Press story doesn't mention it, but TSN reported last night that Balsillie has purchased the territorial NHL rights for Hamilton, Ontario, located just south of Toronto. Copps Coliseum is a major-league arena in Hamilton, and the prospect of a Hamilton-Toronto rivalry must have Balsillie drooling and cash registers ringing in his mind.

The gauntlet has been thrown to Pittsburgh citizens: Either vote to build the Pens a new arena, or kiss them goodbye.


ESPN.com - NHL - Report: Pens to be sold to Canadian businessman