Penguins, government agree on new arena

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) -The Penguins reached a deal on financing for a new arena that will keep the NHL team in Pittsburgh.

The agreement - with city, county and state officials - was announced by Gov. Ed Rendell on Tuesday at the Pennsylvania Gaming Congress. He said money from the state's new slot machine parlors would help fund the arena.

The Penguins had threatened to leave Pittsburgh if they couldn't secure a new rink. Their lease at 46-year-old Mellon Arena, the oldest facility in the league, expires June 30 and the team is free to leave after that.

The Penguins began playing in Pittsburgh in 1967, and won Stanley Cup titles in 1991 and 1992. Their home attendance and local TV ratings are among the strongest of the NHL's 24 U.S. franchises.