Dan's Igloo Bet

The city and Allegheny County have no money for a new arena for the Penguins, but the state and private investors -- including Pittsburgh's eventual slots casino operator -- could pay the freight, county Chief Executive Dan Onorato said Tuesday.

Onorato, who has talked with Gov. Ed Rendell about the issue, said he believes the state Gaming Control Board could make it a requirement that the holder of the city's $50 million license to build a slot-machine casino must contribute some profits toward a hockey arena.

Onorato said he also believes the state could provide some money for an arena from its capital budget. Private money could be raised through donations, as well as the sale of naming rights and corporate boxes, he said.

Editors Note: Let me get this straight.... We want a gambling operator to fund an arena for a professional sports team. Maybe we could get Pete Rose to broker the deal.

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