TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Cuban, Marino bid for Pens
By Andrew Conte
Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Two Pittsburgh natives -- billionaire Mark Cuban and football legend Dan Marino -- have joined New York financier Andrew Murstein's bid to buy the Penguins hockey team, Murstein announced today.

Cuban, a Mt. Lebanon native who owns the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA, confirmed that he has joined Murstein in offering to buy the Penguins. Cuban said by e-mail that he's interested in owning the team only if it remains in Pittsburgh.

"To help keep the team in Pittsburgh," he wrote. "That's a condition of my participation."
Marino, who grew up in Oakland and starred for Central Catholic High School, the University of Pittsburgh and the Miami Dolphins, could not be reached for comment.

Murstein, president of Medallion Financial Group, is one of four or five serious bidders for the team. Murstein’s group also includes the partners in the Shadyside-based real estate development firm Walnut Capital.

A Penguins spokesman wouldn't comment on the pending sale, but team officials have said keeping the Penguins in Pittsburgh is a priority.

The Penguins' current owners are accepting official offers this week and are expected to pick a winner in the next two weeks. Owners include former team captain Mario Lemieux and California investor Ron Burkle.

The other bidders are Clarion Capital Partners, a New York private equity firm headed by managing partner Marc Utay; Ohio businessman Jim Renacci; Massachusetts real estate developer Lawrence Gottesdiener; and Toronto real estate developers David and Sam Fingold.

The team's lease at Mellon Arena expires in June 2007. Under its lease, the team can start looking for a new hometown on July 1, which is Saturday.

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