Pens owners meet with K.C. officials

~ Other cities also have expressed interest in being the new home for the team.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Mario Lemieux and other members of the Pittsburgh Penguins' ownership group were meeting with Kansas City officials and representatives of the Sprint Center on Wednesday.

Michael Roth, a spokesman for Los Angeles-based Anschutz Entertainment Group, which will operate the arena, issued a statement Wednesday afternoon confirming that "meetings are scheduled with the ownership group of the Pittsburgh Penguins and our organization."

Company officials declined to comment further. A news conference was scheduled for this morning in Kansas City.

The future of the franchise in Pittsburgh has been in question after the Pennsylvania Gaming Commission rejected a slot application by Isle of Capri Casinos, which had promised to build a $290 million arena for the Penguins if its application was approved.

Lemieux said the team, which had been up for sale, was taken off the block following the failed Isle of Capri bid last month. He and partner Ron Burkle said they would begin considering relocation offers from cities outside of Pennsylvania.

"We are meeting with officials in Kansas City today as part of our effort to explore all of our options regarding a new arena," Lemieux said in a statement.

Pittsburgh plays in the 45-year-old Mellon Arena, the NHL's oldest venue, and would have to stay there.

Kansas City's $276 million Sprint Center is under construction and set to open in the fall. The facility will seat about 18,000, and has already sold out its 72 luxury suites.

Other cities that have expressed interest in the Penguins are Houston, Winnipeg, Portland, Ore., and possibly Oklahoma City.