PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Penguins ownership planned to meet and discuss the state's rejection of the slots casino application filed by Isle of Capri, which had promised to build the team a $290 million arena if it got the license.

The Penguins ownership group, headed by Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux, did not comment publicly Wednesday. But CEO Ken Sawyer issued a written statement, saying the team was "very disappointed" by IOC's defeat.

"Had Isle of Capri been selected, it would have ensured the long-term future of the Penguins in Pittsburgh and would have delivered a $1 billion development opportunity to the Lower Hill and Uptown. At this point, our franchise enters a period of uncertainty, with our lease at Mellon Arena set to expire this summer," the statement said.

Click here to read the full statement.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board voted unanimously to award Pittsburgh's slot-machine license to PITG Gaming, headed by Detroit businessman Don Barden.

PITG's victory is "terrible news for the Penguins," according to National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman, who said the team may have to consider moving to another city.

"The future of this franchise in Pittsburgh is uncertain and the Penguins now will have to explore all other options, including possible relocation," Bettman said in a statement. "The NHL will support the Penguins in their endeavors."

Barden pledged $7.5 million a year over 30 years for a new arena, under a so-called "Plan B" touted by the city, county and state.

"It will be the largest of our operations and we're going to put a lot of attention on this project," Barden said. "We're going to get it going right away."

Unlike the Isle of Capri's arena proposal, the backup plan includes public funds to go along with Barden's money, and it requires the Penguins to help pay for the new arena too.

Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato and Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said the plan is ready to go, and they want to start talking with Lemieux's ownership group immediately.

"We should forget about the discussion, 'Is this the death knell for the Penguins?,' and I'm going to quit calling it Plan B," Onorato said. "We now have a financing plan in place to build a new multipurpose facility."

Lemieux has repeatedly said the 45-year-old Mellon Arena must be replaced if the Penguins are to remain in Pittsburgh.

"Let me reach out to Mario here," Onorato said. "I know he's been frustrated, I know he's been quoted as saying it's been seven years and he hasn't had any success dealing with elected officials. I understand his frustration, but I've been in office only three years, the mayor a few months."

Bettman may have opened the door for the Penguins if they want to leave town, but Ravenstahl wants to keep it shut.

"If the ownership group and the Lemieux group is as committed as we are, I'm a firm believer that there's absolutely no doubt in my mind that we can get this deal done. We're prepared to do so. If they are committed as we are, the Penguins should never leave Pittsburgh," Ravenstahl said.

In July, when it appeared that Hartford, Conn., developer Sam Fingold was about to buy the Penguins, Gov. Ed Rendell said a new arena would be built regardless of who got the slots license.

"I am confident whether Isle of Capri wins or whether it doesn't and we have to go to Plan B -- the county and city and state plan -- that plan will be able to build an arena with a better deal for the Penguins than any NHL team has gotten in the last seven or eight years," Rendell said then.

After PITG was announced as the license winner, Rendell issued a written statement reaffirming his intention to move ahead with Plan B, which he calls "Pittsburgh Arena Now."

"I have held true to my commitment to begin planning ... We have acquired the necessary land and have moved forward with design and financing plans as we awaited today's decision. I intend to work closely with Mayor Ravenstahl, County Executive Onorato, the Penguins owners and NHL officials on our plan for a new arena and I am confident that, together, we can keep our Pittsburgh Penguins at home," said Rendell's statement.

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