Section B · Page 4
the University Daily Kansan
Thursday, September 2, 1999
Lemieux seals Penguins deal
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — Mario Lemieux is making a comeback and bringing the Pittsburgh Penguins with him.
Lemieux's takeover of the bankrupt Penguins was approved yesterday by the NHL's board of governors, climaxing a long struggle by the former hockey great and his associates to keep the team in Pittsburgh.
"There have been a few difficult moments and a lot of frustration, but I was always optimistic we would get it done," Lemieux said.
Only court approval remained to finalize the deal, and that's expected to be taken care of by a bankruptcy judge during a closing hearing tomorrow in Pittsburgh.
"I'm very excited about the opportunity to come back," said Lemieux, a Hall of Famer who led the Penguins to Stanley Cups in 1991 and 1992 before retiring after the 1997 season. "This is a dream come true, after 10 months working on the deal. I had no idea it would be this difficult. I'm glad we were finally able to put this together."
Lemieux
said he and
his group of
investors,
numbering
more than a
dozen, have
put together
$52 million so far and hope to raise more money. He said the market value of the Penguins is currently $85 million, or the price of an expansion team.
Lemieux has the largest stake in the team, most of it coming from the $25 million in deferred salary the Penguins owed him.
Until Lemieux came into the picture, there was still some doubt whether the Penguins
would remain in Pittsburgh, or even in the NHL. The team went into bankruptcy last season and was only able to meet its payroll with the help of a bank loan.
With approval of Lemieux's takeover, the Penguins made it just under the wire. They're due to open training camp on Saturday and will play their first exhibition game on Sept. 11 against the New York Islanders.
It has been a long road for Lemieux in his attempt to buy the team
The arena la se accounted for much of the delay in Lemieux's takeover. Under the lease, SMG will continue to control the Civic Arena until 2004, when it will
Lemieux: Excited to buy his former team
revert to Lemieux, with SMG as the arena manager.
The Penguins blamed the high cost of their lease with SMG to play at the Civic Arena for helping push the franchise into bankruptcy.
"It was very important for me to keep the Penguins in Pittsburgh," Lemieux said. "That's why I decided to put the group together. I have spent more than 15 years of my life in Pittsburgh, and I have a good relationship with the fans."
Lemieux is the first retired player to take over ownership in one of the four major North American pro sports leagues.
Liberty hopes to avenge loss in 1997 finals
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — Tamika Whitmore and Crystal Robinson weren't in the league when the New York Liberty played in the inaugural 1997 WNBA championship against the Houston Comets.
They didn't experience the disappointment of a 14 point loss when the Comets held New York to 38 percent shooting.
Instead, the rookies are revealing in better moments, like the 69-54 victory against the Charlotte Sting on Monday that sent the Liberty to the WBA Finals against the Comets for the second time in three seasons.
The best-of-3 series begins tonight at Madison Square Garden.
Whitmore, a 6-foot-2 center who led the nation in scoring her senior year at Memphis, scored 10 points off the bench against the Sting.
"For me, as a rookie, it feels great," Whitmore said. "Not many rookies get this opportunity in their first year in the league. It just shows how much charisma and talent we have on this New York team."
Robinson is a rookie only in the sense that she's a newcomer to the league. The 5-foot-10 forward led the now-defunct ABL in 3-point shooting (.466) and made 4-of-5 from behind the arc to finish with 18 points against the Sting.
"We fought hard this season and had a lot of ups and downs," Robinson said. "A lot of people doubted us. We didn't have any superstars, but we are a good team."
When Rebecca Lobo went down with a season-ending knee injury 42 seconds into the season opener, the Liberty's future looked bleak. But Sue Wicks and Whitmore went to work on the boards and Robinson, shot 437 from behind the arc.
"I can't say enough about Crystal Robinson." New York coach Richie Adubato said. "They double-team her and triple-team her and (Charlotte) even threw a little diamond-and-one on her. But she continues to show what a marvelous shooter she is."
Strawberry again returns to NY
The Associated Press
NEW YORK - In what has become almost an annual ritual for the New York Yankees, Darryl Strawberry made his long-awaited return to the team yesterday.
Strawberry's teammates greeted the player who helped them win two World Series championships with hugs and laughter as he returned to play at Yankee Stadium for the first time since last Sept. 27.
"This is the first time in my career that I've been a September callup," said Strawberry, who was brought up from Triple-A Columbus along with infielder Clay Bellinger and right-hander Dan Nauty on the day rosters expand.
"It feels really good to be back and see the guys and be part of what this is all about," he said.
It has been a long 11 months for Strawberry, who missed last year's
"When I look in the mirror, I look at the enemy," Strawberry said. "There is no one to blame for this but myself."
playoffs after learning he had colon cancer and whose return to the majors this year was delayed by a suspension for his no-contest plea to cocaine possession.
"He's at a point in his life where he can't allow himself to be in a situation where anything like this can happen again," said Chili Davis, a childhood friend of Strawberry from Los Angeles. "He has to see problems early and say it's not going to happen and walk away. That's the point he's at in his life."
That is a refrain similar to one heard after previous bouts with drugs and alcohol during his stormy career. And there's no telling whether this time will be different.
Strawberry's teammates, who have stood behind him since his arrest on
"You can't take one number of chances and have it apply to everyone," said David Cone, who played with Strawberry for four season with the New York Mets.
cocaine and solicitation charges on April 14, welcomed him back once again after his latest trouble.
The immediate question for manager Joe Torre is where will Strawberry play and how many at-bats will he get. Strawberry was not in the lineup for last night's game against Oakland but is expected to start this afternoon at designated hitter to give Davis a day off.
"He's a very unique case. People will say he's had his chances. But I've seen Darryl do a lot of good with kids in the several years that he's been sober. You can argue both sides."
"It's not a big deal if I play or not.",
Strawberry said. "My role will be what Mr. Torre wants it to be. I'm just glad to have a chance."
BEDS • DESKS • BOOK CASES
CHEST OF DRAWERS
unclaimed freight &
damaged merchandise
936 Mass.
OUR GOURMET BURRITOS COME IN THREE SIZES: LARGE, LARGE, AND DID WE MENTION LARGE?
Looking For A Way To Get Fit This Year? Join The KU FIT TEAM and...
Stop by 208 Robinson or call 864-3546!
Get fit with the KU FIT Team!! The KU FIT program offers fitness classes and personal training sessions. Fitness classes include, Hi/ Low aerobics, Step, Aqua classes, Funk, Boxing, Toning, Yoga, Conditioning classes, and much more!! Attend any of our 60+ classes offered weekly for only $60 a semester.
SIGN UP TODAY
AND GET KU FIT!!!
Pay starting at $7 per lecture Apply online at www.versity.com
Versity.com is now hiring NOTETAKERS
*Enhance your learning experience by taking careful, quality notes!
We Buy, Sell & Trade USED & NEW Sports Equipment