'85 Chronology-Alternative Examination

Event Date: April 25th, 1985

Event Description: DeBartolo Examining Alternatives

Source: UPI

Edward DeBartolo Sr., saying he had better things to do with his money than lose it, Thursday announced he would keep his sports teams in Pittsburgh for now because the city is willing to grant him financial incentives.

However, DeBartolo set July 15 as the deadline to sell 10,000 season tickets each for his NHL Penguins and Major Indoor Soccer League Spirit, which have lost a total of $25.5 million for the Youngstown developer.

After July 15, he said, “we would have to at that time re-evaluate our position and possibly examine other alternatives.”

He did not go into detail on those alternatives, but a number of other cities have approached the DeBartolo Corp. about buying the teams. Debartolo is also considering selling his USFL football franchise if he can find a local buyer.

DeBartolo has been unhappy in the past with Pittsburgh's 10 percent amusement tax, its 20 percent parking tax -- both of which he wants eliminated.

He received word from Mayor Richard Caliguiri Thursday that the city is willing to negotiate.

“The call I got from the mayor this morning deserves some real consideration,” DeBartolo said in his first news conference in four years. “He made a specific promise to do everything he can ... to eliminate the rents we talked about, and the taxes we talked about.”

“He's (Caliguiri) going to do everything in his power to see that the amusement tax is eliminated,” Allegheny County commissioner Tom Foerster said.

“Specifics? I can't answer that. It is feasible -- it's happening in other cities. A way has to be found to eliminate it or we're going to lose our sports teams.”

Story-(UPI Modified)