PITTSBURGH, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- The Pittsburgh Penguins are using multiple avenues to secure a new arena, including $90 million in state funds and a bid for a slots casino license.
Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell is deciding whether to approve $90 million to be used for the new arena, but it may come from a lump sum Allegheny County will receive for capital projects.
County officials may need to use the money for other projects, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
The Penguins have hired a lobbyist to secure a slot machine casino license. If approved, slots revenue is expected to pay much of the cost of a new arena, estimated at $300 million.
The team also is looking at selling naming rights.
The Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County is expected to vote by the end of December on terms of the new arena.
On Saturday, Penguins owner Mario Lemieux said there was a "slim chance" the team would stay in Pittsburgh because of the arena issue. The Penguin's lease on Mellon Arena expires in 2007.
