Dawida to seek injunction to block Penguins move

A former Allegheny County Commissioner and two local businessmen plan to seek an injunction next week to prevent the Pittsburgh Penguins from leaving the city and open the franchise up for public ownership.

"Not too long ago the Cleveland Browns snuck out of town in the dark of night," said Former Commissioner Mike Dawida, of Carrick, who said the suit alleges that it is unconstitutional for the team and the National Hockey League to prevent citizens from buying stock and owning their local sports teams. Other professional sports leagues have placed similar bans on ownership.

As negotiations continue next week, the plaintiffs, who are avid Penguins fans, plan to amp up the stakes. "We will only will pursue this if team plans to leave," Mr. Dawida said.
He and fellow plaintiff Philip Isaly, who owns PEI Production Group and Isaly Entertainment, said the citizen ownership model has worked well for the Green Bay Packers.

"Right now in professional sports [ownership] the power has been taken away from the cities by the professional sports clubs. They say, 'If you don't give us everything we want we're leaving,' " Mr. Isaly said. "There's 2 million people in the vicinity. If we do a $100 stock offering, we'll be able to get $2 million in a hurry."

Mr. Isaly has also organized a group of investors to boost the potential purchase, including construction firms, hedge funds, a real estate investment group and an individual "currently involved in professional sports ownership."

Both men said the Penguins owe a debt to their fans and the city that built Mellon Arena and put up $10 million to add club seating.

The plaintiffs are likely to file suit Wednesday or Thursday, Mr. Dawida said