View Full Version : Las Vegas Supersonics?
What's up with this? I thought it was a foregone conclusion they were moving to OKC if their Seattle-area arena fell through? :confused:
Sonics owner Bennett tells officials he's eyeing Vegas
Seattle SuperSonics (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=sea) and Seattle Storm owner Clay Bennett has told Seattle business and civic leaders that Las Vegas, not his home town of Oklahoma City, could be a destination for the team, The Seattle Times reported.
Bennett's comments were made at a Wednesday board meeting of Seattle's Convention and Visitors Bureau and comfirmed by a Sonics spokesman.
Team spokesman Jim Kneeland said while no firm plans are in place, the team is "looking really hard right now" at Las Vegas, the Times reported.
That follows the Washington state legislature's rejection of public funding for a proposed $500 million arena in suburban Renton to replace KeyArena.
"He [Bennett] said, 'I'd still like to get a deal done here, but we're at a point where we have to start looking at other options,'" Kneeland said. The Sonics and Storm have a lease at KeyArena through 2010, but Bennett has said he may try to negotiate a way out of that deal after next season rather than play out the string.
The proposal could raise eyebrows across the NBA for two key reasons:
• It has been presumed since Bennett purchased the teams a year ago that he would move them to his native Oklahoma if he could not get a deal done in Seattle. Oklahoma City hosted the New Orleans Hornets (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=nor) for two NBA seasons in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and the city's support for the team impressed
• Commissioner David Stern has long insisted that the NBA will not allow a franchise relocation or expansion to Las Vegas until the city's casinos ban betting on NBA games. The city's latest proposal to the NBA did not meet that demand, though Stern has announced he'll appoint an ownership committee to study the issue.
Bennett has repeatedly said he'd rather keep the teams in the Seattle area, since it's a larger and more affluent market than Oklahoma City.
But if market size and money are factors, then Las Vegas naturally becomes a desirable alternative, officials who attended the meeting said of Bennett's thinking.
"What I heard him say was that if he ended up having to move the team, Vegas would likely be a more attractive market than Oklahoma City," Steve Leahy, chief executive of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, told the Times.
Seattle City Councilwoman Jan Drago told the newspaper "It was about money -- they can't make a return on their investment in Oklahoma ... he really expected to end up in Vegas."
Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire has said she will not call the state Legislature into special session on an arena financing plan, and state House Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, is resolutely opposed to taxpayer funding for an arena.
"They already have a place to play. It's nice. There are no potholes in the court there. Every player has health care. They all had the opportunity to go to college. Let's get real here," Chopp told the Seattle Times editorial board. "If they want to [build a new arena], we're not stopping them. They can pay for it themselves."
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2850918
frankensooner
4/27/2007, 09:10 AM
Looks like Clay is playing poker.
Boomer.....
4/27/2007, 09:12 AM
I thought that the NBA dismissed Vegas after the debacle during the All-Star game.
I thought that the NBA dismissed Vegas after the debacle during the All-Star game.
Maybe they just felt it'd be easier if they didn't allow Pacman Jones back in town.
Boomer.....
4/27/2007, 09:17 AM
Maybe they just felt it'd be easier if they didn't allow Pacman Jones back in town.
but he supports all of those single mothers.
yermom
4/27/2007, 09:43 AM
i just want to mention ribs so BRJ gets here faster
TheHumanAlphabet
4/27/2007, 09:45 AM
Bennett has repeatedly said he'd rather keep the teams in the Seattle area, since it's a larger and more affluent market than Oklahoma City.
But if market size and money are factors, then Las Vegas naturally becomes a desirable alternative, officials who attended the meeting said of Bennett's thinking.
"What I heard him say was that if he ended up having to move the team, Vegas would likely be a more attractive market than Oklahoma City," Steve Leahy, chief executive of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, told the Times.
Seattle City Councilwoman Jan Drago told the newspaper "It was about money -- they can't make a return on their investment in Oklahoma ... he really expected to end up in Vegas."
Pretty telling stuff here. After all the hard work in OKC, I still don't think they are a major league market. Second tier, perhaps.
i just want to mention ribs so BRJ gets here faster
Do you happen to know if ribs and Las Vegas basketball cause kidney stones?
yermom
4/27/2007, 09:47 AM
i don't know
my tiny iPod keeps those away
Is it full of the Flaming Lips?
yermom
4/27/2007, 09:54 AM
nope, that might help too
or maybe it's ribs and scooters that cause them?
Yeah, if Clay thought Warshington was too liberal and godless for his liking...I'm SURE he's gonna love Vegas. :D
yermom
4/27/2007, 10:03 AM
that sounds like posturing to me
the NBA betting thing sounds tough to overcome
Well, there's "posturing" and then there's "man, I sure hope no one with half a clue thinks about this for more than 10 seconds". This falls under the latter category. :D
GrapevineSooner
4/27/2007, 10:22 AM
Kansas City's also a playa, too.
Taxman71
4/27/2007, 10:28 AM
The only way I see this as doable is if the team doubles in value while in Las Vegas and Bennett, McClendon et al. sell the team in order to obtain a different team in OKC. From a financial standpoint, they could then own an OKC team for next to nothing....relatively speaking.
OR, everyone can abandon the dream of Oklahoma City as a long-term, viable major league sports town. :D
Kansas City's also a playa, too.
Sincerely,
The Kansas City Kings
hurricane'bone
4/27/2007, 11:11 AM
Wow:
Just because he married into the Gaylord family doesn't mean he doesn't share their fondness for shrewdness and cowardness. Go to Vegas, in the process of doing so, you will stab your roots in the back.
Patrick, Edmond - Apr 27, 2007 11:02 AM
He should be ashamed if he even CONSIDERS any where else but Oklahoma. It is not like OKC has not proven they can support an NBA team. He would be so wrong if he does that. Where is his loyalty?
Pat, Midlothian - Apr 27, 2007 10:56 AM
Oh man, I just found my entertainment for the weekend. :D
HOW DARE YOU WANT TO MAKE MONEY!!!! SHAME ON YOU, COMPENT BUSINESSMAN!!!!!
dolemitesooner
4/27/2007, 11:29 AM
I hope they ****ing do go to vegas ..thern we will get the hornets back
Tee hee...I <3 delusion. ;)
KC//CRIMSON
4/27/2007, 12:25 PM
Sincerely,
The Kansas City Kings
In Your Face!
http://www.forsythe4kc.com/uploaded_images/forsythe_sprint_center-793995.jpg
So THAT'S where my rate plan money goes. :D
dolemitesooner
4/27/2007, 12:27 PM
Tee hee...I <3 delusion. ;)
Wanna put cash on it that an nba team is here in the next 2 years
KC//CRIMSON
4/27/2007, 12:29 PM
Mine too. But at a much LARGER discount.;)
In Your Face!
http://www.forsythe4kc.com/uploaded_images/forsythe_sprint_center-793995.jpg
Is that where they won't be playing?
:D
KC//CRIMSON
4/27/2007, 12:34 PM
Is that where they won't be playing?
:D
Somebody will be playing there, way before somebody plays in Tulsa.;)
OakC and KC I'll go 50/50;)
Taxman71
4/27/2007, 12:36 PM
Some OKC fans are starting to sound like Nawlins fans.
We stole them from another city, but don't try to steal them from us. What about loyalty?
Somebody will be playing there, way before somebody plays in Tulsa.;)
OakC and KC I'll go 50/50;)
I didn't know we were talking about Tulsa.
You need to keep your hate straight.
;)
Wanna put cash on it that an nba team is here in the next 2 years
Wanna put cash on it that they're gone 5 years after that? :D
I didn't know we were talking about Tulsa.
You need to keep your hate straight.
;)
He's just p*ssed about not knowing where Starship is anymore. :D
silverwheels
4/27/2007, 12:45 PM
I think Bennett ends up bringing the Sonics here, and Kansas City will get the Hornets after they tank in New Orleans or the Grizzlies since I think they're doing horribly in Memphis.
KC//CRIMSON
4/27/2007, 12:54 PM
Originally Posted by Mjcpr
I didn't know we were talking about Tulsa.
You need to keep your hate straight.
He's just p*ssed about not knowing where Starship is anymore. :D
Both of you just lost Suite privileges. Too bad, cause that bitch is stocked!
hurricane'bone
4/27/2007, 12:55 PM
The Grizzlies aren't moving.
They have a brand new absolutely fantastic building.
They are near the league average in attendance.
This past year has been horrible because they won 22 games all year.
silverwheels
4/27/2007, 12:58 PM
The Grizzlies aren't moving.
They have a brand new absolutely fantastic building.
They are near the league average in attendance.
This past year has been horrible because they won 22 games all year.
Oh. I heard they weren't getting any people to go to their new building. And they've sucked since they started, but maybe they'll turn it around. Nevermind, then.
hurricane'bone
4/27/2007, 01:02 PM
Before this season they made the playoffs for three consecutive years.
silverwheels
4/27/2007, 01:05 PM
Before this season they made the playoffs for three consecutive years.
And they got swept in each of those three short-lived playoff appearances. They're way under .500 as a franchise, including the Vancouver days.
Hell, the Hornets can't even make the playoffs, and people are apparently dying to go see them finish 9th or 10th in the West every year. :D
silverwheels
4/27/2007, 01:11 PM
Hell, the Hornets can't even make the playoffs, and people are apparently dying to go see them finish 9th or 10th in the West every year. :D
Well, people still go to OSU football games even when they're finishing last in the division. Wait, no they don't.
Sorry, bad analogy. :D
SteelClip49
4/27/2007, 02:25 PM
I hope the Hornets never come back. Waste of time it was in the first place, well except for when I got to see my Clippers play.
Sonics to Vegas---- Las Vegas Casinoes
Sonics to KCity----- Kansas City Express
Hell, Clippers may relocate and be referred to as the Kansas City Clippers!!!
dolemitesooner
4/27/2007, 02:31 PM
I hope the Hornets never come back. Waste of time it was in the first place, well except for when I got to see my Clippers play.
Sonics to Vegas---- Las Vegas Casinoes
Sonics to KCity----- Kansas City Express
Hell, Clippers may relocate and be referred to as the Kansas City Clippers!!!
Yeah ummm. How was it a big waste of our time?
Lets see here
a) the city proved it can support an nba francise
b) they brought hell of revenue to oklahoma
c) It put okc on the map as an attraction
Yeah but it was a huge waste of time.
It is better to not speak at all than to open ones mouth and remove all doubt ...NOOB
It is better to not speak at all than to open ones mouth and remove all doubt ...NOOB
----The Dolemite, 2007
mdklatt
4/27/2007, 02:37 PM
a) the city proved it can support an nba francise
I'm not so sure about that. Even large markets have problems supporting major league teams once the novelty wears off. Especially if they're not very good.
dolemitesooner
4/27/2007, 02:45 PM
I'm not so sure about that. Even large markets have problems supporting major league teams once the novelty wears off. Especially if they're not very good.
Yep your a morn......they were in the top 10 in season ticket sales year 2
mdklatt
4/27/2007, 03:03 PM
Yep your a morn......they were in the top 10 in season ticket sales year 2
The novelty never wore off with the Hornets because there was a good chance they were only going to be here a season or two, and people wanted to make a good case for them staying here.
If you were going to gamble on a major league franchise, would you pick a third-tier city like OKC, or Las Vegas, a major destination city and the fastest growing metro area in the country? The economics of KC probably aren't that much better than here, but they have a proven track record of supporting two major league teams. Although didn't they lose an NBA team back in the day?
The economics of KC probably aren't that much better than here
You are about to feel the wrath of KC//CRIMSON.
....but they have a proven track record of supporting two major league teams. Although didn't they lose an NBA team back in the day?
Yes, the Sacramento Kings left in 1985 or so I think.
dolemitesooner
4/27/2007, 03:05 PM
Yes the kings...that still does not prove your point about okc.....If you are so positive lets stake so cash on this ****
yermom
4/27/2007, 03:06 PM
Vegas would seem to have the same problem New Orleans would in that there aren't that many permanent residents that will buy season tickets and actually go to that many games
i could care less if a team might not say, at least if they give us a shot
mdklatt
4/27/2007, 03:07 PM
Vegas would seem to have the same problem New Orleans would in that there aren't that many permanent residents that will buy season tickets and actually go to that many games
But there are loads of casinos who give away tickets to everything....
dolemitesooner
4/27/2007, 03:08 PM
Mdklatt was not a season ticket holder here so he does not know what he is talking about he has no first hand knowledge.
I do and I would buy tickets again if them came back
mdklatt
4/27/2007, 03:11 PM
that still does not prove your point about okc
My point is that two seasons under unusual circumstances doesn't prove anything about our ability to support an NBA team over the long haul. I'm not saying an NBA team would be a flop, I'm saying we don't know one way or another.
If you were gambling with millions of dollars, you'd be better off picking a larger market. Even if you include Tulsa as part of our NBA market, it's still smaller than Las Vegas or Seattle, and possibly KC, but I'd need to look that up.
dolemitesooner
4/27/2007, 03:12 PM
What a larger market ...like new orleans.....LOL...DUDE THAT WAHT i AM SAYING THIS IS A BIGGER MARKET
mdklatt
4/27/2007, 03:13 PM
Mdklatt was not a season ticket holder here so he does not know what he is talking about he has no first hand knowledge.
You don't have to be a season ticket holder to know that two season under exceptional cirucumstances aren't enough to draw long-term conclusions.
mdklatt
4/27/2007, 03:15 PM
What a larger market ...like new orleans.....LOL...DUDE THAT WAHT i AM SAYING THIS IS A BIGGER MARKET
Not bigger than Las Vegas or KC. Or Seattle if we're talking about the Sonics. If the Hornets leave New Orleans I wouldn't be surprised to see them come back here, but I also wouldn't be surprised if the moved to them to a larger market than Oklahoma.
dolemitesooner
4/27/2007, 03:16 PM
Not bigger than Las Vegas or KC. Or Seattle if we're talking about the Sonics. If the Hornets leave New Orleans I wouldn't be surprised to see them come back here, but I also wouldn't be surprised if the moved to them to a larger market than Oklahoma.
I would not be surprised if you didnt qui bebbling somtime about somthing you know nothing about
mdklatt
4/27/2007, 03:18 PM
I would not be surprised if you didnt qui bebbling somtime about somthing you know nothing about
Seattle, Las Vegas, and KC aren't bigger markets than Oklahoma City?
But there are loads of casinos who give away tickets to everything....
So you're saying that casinos are, like, the Devon and Chesapeake of Vegas? :D
dolemitesooner
4/27/2007, 03:21 PM
Seattle, Las Vegas, and KC aren't bigger markets than Oklahoma City?
i SAID NEW ORLEANS......AND A FRANSHICSE IS NOT GOING TO GO TO VEGAS AFTER WHAT HAPPEN DURING THE ALL-STAR GAME THIS IS THAT WHOLE PART OF YOU DONT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT
If that's all it takes to keep a city from getting a franchise, then pray Pacman Jones never visits OKC. :D
Fraggle145
4/27/2007, 03:54 PM
If anything, the fact that we still were able to support a team during a lame duck season (i.e., this year when we knew they werent going to stay) says something about the viability of our market.
I wouldn't really call a half-empty arena "supporting". ;)
dolemitesooner
4/27/2007, 04:06 PM
I wouldn't really call a half-empty arena "supporting". ;)
be quiet ...you have no idea what your talking about either
Fraggle145
4/27/2007, 04:07 PM
I wouldn't really call a half-empty arena "supporting". ;)
meh. :O
be quiet ...you have no idea what your talking about either
Really? Sitting in a half-empty Ford Center less than a month ago, watching the Hornets play the Sonics doesn't qualify me to point out that it was a f*cking half-empty arena?
Nice one, chuckles.
FaninAma
4/27/2007, 04:14 PM
Why don't you guys follow a real sport like soccer?
yermom
4/27/2007, 04:16 PM
i've heard enough of Becks and Posh, that's why ;)
Dude, there's no such thing as "too much Becks and Posh".
dolemitesooner
4/27/2007, 04:17 PM
Really? Sitting in a half-empty Ford Center less than a month ago, watching the Hornets play the Sonics doesn't qualify me to point out that it was a f*cking half-empty arena?
Nice one, chuckles.
It was one game.....seats done have to be filled to be sold....chuckles
SteelClip49
4/27/2007, 04:21 PM
DOLTamite....for someone who has over 10,000 posts, you sure are making a fool of yourself. I went to a few games both seasons. This season, the games I went to, half the arena was empty, why??? Because people don't want to waste their time with a team that will not stay PERMANENTLY.
You tell Klatt and others they do not know what they are talking about yet you claim to have all the answers. It seems you are the one who can't really prove anything.
yermom
4/27/2007, 04:25 PM
don't try logic with doleo, it just doesn't work :D
Yes, it was one of many games.
But also, I've watched many "home" games this season on the tee-vee and marvelled at how plenty of good seats were still available. Once the announcement was made, most people stopped caring about the Hornets...as evidenced by the early boarding up of the Hornets' Nest.
The fact of the matter is, OKC is NOT a big enough market to permanently support a solvent major league franchise. And this "the Oklahoma market" crap is arrogant and stupid; the rest of the state is not gonna help support an OKC team to the extent that many people want to think they are. It's better to have the memory of two fairly successful seasons than the reality of eventually becoming yet another Vancouver or Kansas City.
SteelClip49
4/27/2007, 04:43 PM
I went from green SPEKS to "crimson" and orange SPEKS. I know I am one bad dude but not bad in the bad way. I just throw in some logic once in a while and elighten the ones who need it............dole.
I want my green back!!!
Fraggle145
4/27/2007, 04:47 PM
I went from green SPEKS to "crimson" and orange SPEKS. I know I am one bad dude but not bad in the bad way. I just throw in some logic once in a while and elighten the ones who need it............dole.
I want my green back!!!
http://www.soonerfans.com/forums/images/reputation/reputation_neg.gif
http://www.dinexdashed.com/fight%20club.jpg
The 1st rule about neg spek, is do not talk about neg spek
silverwheels
4/27/2007, 04:48 PM
The fact that the NBA is complete garbage for a professional sports league doesn't help, either. I'm not entirely sold on OKC being able to support an NBA franchise well enough for them to stay for a long time, but I would like to see us try, anyway.
skycat
4/27/2007, 04:51 PM
You guys are going to make BRJ upset.
KC//CRIMSON
4/27/2007, 05:03 PM
The economics of KC probably aren't that much better than here, but they have a proven track record of supporting two major league teams
If we can support the "Royal" pain in the *ss, we can support anything.
Great, now you've just p*ssed off royalfan. :D
royalfan5
4/27/2007, 05:20 PM
Great, now you've just p*ssed off royalfan. :D
heh. I can't really argue with that at this point.
New Orleans market > OKC market.
NBA Fan support however...
CORNholio
4/28/2007, 02:31 AM
OKC is what like 1.2 million and Tulsa is roughly 900,000 just down the turnpike. If my 6th grade math teacher was right that's 2.1 mil. That's plenty of hillbillies to spit tobaccy all over the ford center. I fail to see the problem supporting some shiity arse NBA team.
Seattle SuperSonics---OKC F'n Hillbillies!!!!
soonerboomer93
4/28/2007, 02:40 AM
actually, they should just expand to 50, and each state gets a team
:D
CORNholio
4/28/2007, 03:33 AM
49, screw those idaho motherfudgers.
CORNholio
4/28/2007, 10:10 PM
Hey why the red? I was speaking of me and my fam in regards to the tobaccy spitting. Im an original F'n Hillbilly. What gives?
CORNholio
4/28/2007, 10:12 PM
Somebody who chooses to remain annonymous has one helll of a spek hammer. Props to you sir/ma'am.
birddog
4/29/2007, 01:59 AM
oh man, this thread was a great read. :D
i think i'll go watch fox soccer channel now.
BigRedJed
5/1/2007, 08:19 PM
Well, I knew this thread was going on a couple of days ago, but successfully avoided it until now. Obviously, there are a few things that I want to say. First of all, this is all still very consistent with the scenarios I have been discussing in multiple threads on this board since last summer. Don't believe me? Go look it up.
The fact of the matter is that the OKC owners of the Sonics are first and foremost in it to make money. A secondary consideration to them is to ensure that OKC eventually has an NBA team. They are not going to be willing to give up vast amounts of profit to do so, however. They didn't get rich by being stupid.
That team, in Seattle, with a new arena, is worth $100 million more than they paid for it. In OKC, even under the best of circumstances, the Sonics are worth maybe $100 million LESS than they paid. It's economics, pure and simple. If they get an arena built, and then turn a $100 million profit by selling to other investors (even the previous Sonics ownership), they are very well situated to buy a team for OKC in the future.
Las Vegas is being used as additional leverage to get Seattle off of high-center and build an arena. That town is still not dead yet. The NBA in no way wants that team to leave. It's a 40 year franchise, with a championship banner. World class, top 10 market. Having teams in OKC and NOLA is far less attractive to David Stern than having teams in Seattle and (insert city name here).
Would Las Vegas be a strong competitor for the Sonics should the Seattle deal fail? Absolutely. Again, the team is almost certainly worth more there than it is in OKC. Would they consider moving the team there? Sure, for the right money situation. The biggest obstacle there is the casinos' refusal to take the NBA off of the sports books. Stern has indicated there might be more wiggle room than in years past, but it's still a pretty tough sticking point.
I think Bennett mentioning Vegas might also have to do with preparing OKC for the idea that they will shop for a city. Everyone here (except me, I might point out) has been operating under the assumption that the Sonics were a foregone conclusion. As I have said for the better part of a year now, they're anything but.
Kansas City? Well yeah, they are going to have an amazing arena, and it's a great city. But it's not a whole lot bigger than OKC, in population or in corporate base. It's definitely not a top-tier city (nothing against them, cities like Sacramento, Indianapolis, NOLA, Memphis, and obviously OKC aren't, either). Those KC people/corporate dollars also have to be split with an NFL team (longstanding, rabid fan base) and an MLB team. That scenario is nearly the same one that would have led to the Hornets' failure in NOLA, even in a non-Katrina world.
Besides, KC is lusting after hockey. Anschutz Entertainment will manage the new arena, put $50 million of their own dough into it, and coincidentally own the LA Kings. KC has the inside track to the NHL, and are basically shrugging off the NBA, the same way OKC shrugged off Bob Funk's recent noises about getting an NHL franchise here. We have an amazingly good chance at an NBA team, no sense screwing it up by bringing in an unproven (in this market). Dance with the one that brung you, in both instances.
Will Kansas City be an option for the Sonics, or the soon-to-be-relocating Hornets? Sure, but they're not nearly the threat Vegas is, and are definitely a less attractive market to the NBA than OKC, for a number of reasons.
Anyway, Sonics or no Sonics (and as I've maintained for a long, long time, "no Sonics" is quite likely), the Hornets will be failing in NOLA. They were already going bankrupt pre-Katrina. Moving there was a huge mistake. The relocation is not totally an excercise in futility as far as the NBA is concerned, though. Besides buying goodwill, it will give them leverage against George Shinn, who Stern would ultimately like to run out of the league. Shinn will be out of options after a year or two in NOLA, and will be forced to sell or relocate on the NBA Board of Governors' terms. They have absolute say in these matters. He won't be able to, say, jump to KC or Vegas on a whim. If they limit his choices to (1) moving to OKC and selling a 49% interest in his team (and a first right of refusal on controlling interest when he gets totally out) to the OKC group, or (2) selling to them outright, or (3) going bankrupt, he'll have to choose one. If he goes bankrupt, the team could revert to league ownership a la the Expos/Nationals and then be sold to the owners/city of choice. If the OKC owners make the Seattle deal happen and sell to other investors, they will be in a prime spot to make this happen, and will own a team for maybe hundreds of millions less than they sold their other team for. Capice?
As for whether or not OKC can support a team, criminy, people. OKC stunned the NBA with both its corportate support (prior to the Hornets moving here, only 5 "pioneer partner" or $1 million+ level sponsors had EVER happened IN TOTAL in the league -- and OKC provided FIVE BY ITSELF) and its fan support. According to some of the people I've talked with, they were more surprised that the Hornets remained in the top half of the league in attendance last year (after finding out that the team was definitely leaving, plus losing major stars for excruciatingly long periods) than they were by the attendance the first season.
And, BTW, that's exactly where they remained, IN THE TOP HALF OF THE LEAGUE IN ATTENDANCE. Now bri, I know you were probably a bit tounge-in-cheek about the FC being half empty, but you and I (and HB) know that's a pretty significant exaggeration, and pretty disingenuous. This was a Wednesday night game, against a lackluster, horrible Sonics squad sans Ray Allen. The season was pretty obviously over for the Hornets at that point, and yet the attendance was still probably 15,000 in an 18,000 seat arena. Hell, that's about equal to the SEASON AVERAGE for Minnesota, Seattle, Atlanta, Charlotte, Indiana, Phlly and Memphis this year.
In fact, I watched games all year long with teams who were in the playoff hunt, and was shocked by how few fans were sitting in lower-bowl seating in major markets. During the two years they were here, the Hornets only saw a crowd that bad once; during a ice storm. And they STILL had around 13,000 on that night, if I remember.
The Hornets, lame-duck and injury-ridden status and all, were still #15 in attendance (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/attendance) this season. That's better than the following teams: Sacramento, Denver, Orlando, New Jersey, Boston, Houston, Portland, Milwaukee, Minnesota, Seattle, Atlanta, Charlotte, Indiana, Philadelphia and Memphis.
They were within roughly 1,000 fans per game of the Lakers, Knicks, Spurs, Suns, Clippers, Wizards, Raptors and Warriors. The Hornets figures were also negatively impacted by six games that were played in NOLA, several of them to a pathetically empty arena. That's right... ...they couldn't come close to selling out in NOLA, even with only six games to sell. Do you think that team is going to be there long?
Those of you who say that OKC's attendance, all things considered, was unimpressive, can collectively SUCK IT.
BigRedJed
5/1/2007, 09:00 PM
To sum all of that up:
Clay and Co. won't take it in the shorts to the tune of $200 million if they can avoid it.
Leaving Seattle and coming to OKC would be a $200 million negative swing in team value for the Sonics. Hence the leaving of no stones unturned to salvage that market.
I told you people long ago not to count on the Sonics coming here.
There's still a good chance they'll end up here, it's just not the first choice of the owners, or of the league.
Vegas is a serious competitor for whatever team is looking at OKC, but has inherent problems.
KC is not nearly the good fit for the NBA that OKC is, based on multi-team watering down of corporate and fan base.
OKC's best chance for a team might still be the Hornets, long-term.
OKC's attendance was still amazingly good, especially considering lame-duck status, severely disappointing season, and injuries.
bri really, really hates OKC. More than he likes Tulsa.
All of you haters can suck it.
BigRedJed
5/1/2007, 09:01 PM
Man, that didn't take nearly as long to type.
KC//CRIMSON
5/1/2007, 09:15 PM
11. KC Chefs = OU Football - NBA has competition in OKC.
12. "Novelty" does play a part in the argument. Ask the OU Mens Basketball Team if the novelty has worn off yet.;)
I'm just p*ssed they didn't make the Valentine's Day jerseys in XXL. ;)
BigRedJed
5/1/2007, 09:21 PM
No question, an NBA team has competition for the entertainment/sponsorship dollar here. Just not as much as in those other markets. Seriously, KC probably ranks behind Fresno for an NBA franchise. Besides, they've made it very clear their preference is the NHL. And you guys have the inside track for that. The Sonics don't go to KC. Book it. The Hornets, however, could end up there under various scenarios...
BigRedJed
5/1/2007, 09:22 PM
I'm just p*ssed they didn't make the Valentine's Day jerseys in XXL. ;)
Heh. Dude, if I'da knowed you were coming over, I would have had my Hornets peeps knock one out in man-mountain size. You know that.
KC//CRIMSON
5/1/2007, 09:24 PM
Meh, doesn't really matter to me either way. I'd be happy with a MLB team.;)
royalfan5
5/1/2007, 09:28 PM
Meh, doesn't really matter to me either way. I'd be happy with a MLB team.;)
You aren't the only one. At least the Billy Butler era has been ushered in.
BigRedJed
5/1/2007, 09:31 PM
Meh, doesn't really matter to me either way. I'd be happy with a MLB team.;)
What are you talking about? You already... ...nevermind. ;)
KC//CRIMSON
5/1/2007, 09:49 PM
You aren't the only one. At least the Billy Butler era has been ushered in.
Seriously, go to a T-Bones game. It's frickin sweet. Their stadium is nicer than most minor league ball parks and they sell out every game.:cool:
http://www.tbonesbaseball.com/
royalfan5
5/1/2007, 09:50 PM
Seriously, go to a T-Bones game. It's frickin sweet. Their stadium is nicer than most minor league ball parks and they sell out every game.:cool:
http://www.tbonesbaseball.com/
I've seen them play against the Saltdogs here in Lincoln.
Heh. Dude, if I'da knowed you were coming over, I would have had my Hornets peeps knock one out in man-mountain size. You know that.
Well, that's what I get for being all ninja-sneaky, I guess. ;)
royalfan5
6/6/2007, 05:46 PM
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/wnba/318498_tribe05.html
A Seattle Area tribe is exploring the potential of building the Sonics an arena on their land in Suburban Seattle.
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