Do you think Albuquerque will get a Major League Sports Team?

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by infragrrl

Sports teams can bring tremendous revenues.....to their owners and players that is. Granted if you are in the business of owning a sports franchise then it may be very lucrative to you. For the rest of us who aren't tycoons or business moguls, it only means city money that can be used to better the infrastructure and culture is instead funneled upwards.

As for prospective jobs - if you consider some seasonal and low wage jobs to be an improvement - then by all means, bring in to NFL.

My opinion is just as valid as anyone else's here in this forum. I've lived here for years and know what I'm talking about.

What's in question is your seeming sensitivity to accurate criticism of Albuquerque's shortcomings. All cities and towns have their flaws and if you that ruffles your feathers then maybe you should stay away from threads where people actually express real experiences and opinions.

I think you need to re-read what I said or maybe not be quite so defensive. I certainly didn't mean to upset you, I was pointing out a few things. I have lived in areas where franchises have moved in, I do know a littlle of what I am talking about, maybe not a lot.

I said, yes, the tax payers do end up footing part of the bill, but money that goes for building a stadium would not be the same as money set aside for say, libraries. As for better libraries, one of your examples, there has to not only be the money for them but the desire..You mention public transportation, this, again, is not going to happen for a good reason (not now anyway) the rail runner, a wonderful idea to some has received nothing but criticism from too many..

Now, as for bringing in an NFL team, didn't I say, it wouldn't work, no way, forget it!!!!???? What I did say is they can help as well as cost people. Players have to have places to live, many will buy in the town they play ball in, tourist trade picks up, thus the hotels and restaurants do a better business, food service companies make more money, just to mention a few of those who benefit. Are these, often minimal jobs, yes, in some cases but they do put people to work...

Now just a couple more things, did I say your opinion wasn't valid, many probably would agree with you, I simply said, I didn't> Is there a reason why I should not say that and last, if you followed these boards much you would know I do not live in the area any longer, now do I have a huge loyalty to ABQ. We lived there for 7 years, miss certain elements of the area, but obviously left for some reason...NO, I do not get my feathers ruffled when someone points out faults in ABQ or any other city for that matter.

Nita

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by lisdol

I am happy we don't have major league sports here b/c of the high ticket prices. I remember paying $44 for a NHL ticket back in 1989 or 90 when I was young and single and could blow my money. I am sure the prices have gone up considerably and now have more than just me to pay for.

Have they ever, of course that is hockey you are talking about, but we won tickets to see a pre season game in Dallas. It was the Cowboys and Broncos. Of course I was thrilled just because I was a huge Elway fan. Well the tickets included parking. It was a horrible hot, August night and the parking was about a mile from the stadium (maybe not that far, just seemed like it) anyway we parked, got into the stadium found our seats in nosebleed heaven and proceeded to relax..We were behind the goal post..about 1/2 way through the first quarter I decided to get us something to drink. Wow, water, $4.00 a bottle, beer $5 and this was about 15 years ago. Instead of investing in something to drink I convinced hubby we might want to consider leaving at 1/2 time as Elway had already played the 10 minutes he was going to play anyway and the Broncos were ahead. We left, we talked, my feet were hot, I took off my sandles and waded through a little bit of water for about 2 minutes, put sandles back on, the water, still on my feet rubbed huge blisters on both heels in just a few minutes. We ended up stopping for sandwhiches on the way home and decided our days of watching big league sports might be coming to an end. Price on tickets if we had purchased them: $36 each, price of drinks would have been $10.00, price to park $10.00experience" Priceless"!!!

I do not know where families get the money to attend big sporting events. We had a similar experience last summer going to a Dodger/St Louis game. For us it was fine, but I looked at all the families and wondered how they could afford to go to a game..

Nita

[desert sun]

Originally Posted by domino

You can fill the stands and still not have a successful pro sports franchise. It also takes big corporate sponsorships. There just aren't enough big corporate headquarters in Albuquerque to sell out the box suites, etc. Many cities with pro sports franchises with many more big corporations suffer from this problem.

true, thats why I said we're just a poor city

[desert sun]

Originally Posted by AlisonL

I wouldn't walk across the street to see any football game. That makes 3 people here that wouldn't go.

I would, plus every guy at my work plus his family and all my cousins and uncles would go,now thats too many to even name but I know they would all set aside the cash to attend.

[desert sun]

Originally Posted by nmnita

Have they ever, of course that is hockey you are talking about, but we won tickets to see a pre season game in Dallas. It was the Cowboys and Broncos. Of course I was thrilled just because I was a huge Elway fan. Well the tickets included parking. It was a horrible hot, August night and the parking was about a mile from the stadium (maybe not that far, just seemed like it) anyway we parked, got into the stadium found our seats in nosebleed heaven and proceeded to relax..We were behind the goal post..about 1/2 way through the first quarter I decided to get us something to drink. Wow, water, $4.00 a bottle, beer $5 and this was about 15 years ago. Instead of investing in something to drink I convinced hubby we might want to consider leaving at 1/2 time as Elway had already played the 10 minutes he was going to play anyway and the Broncos were ahead. We left, we talked, my feet were hot, I took off my sandles and waded through a little bit of water for about 2 minutes, put sandles back on, the water, still on my feet rubbed huge blisters on both heels in just a few minutes. We ended up stopping for sandwhiches on the way home and decided our days of watching big league sports might be coming to an end. Price on tickets if we had purchased them: $36 each, price of drinks would have been $10.00, price to park $10.00experience" Priceless"!!!

I do not know where families get the money to attend big sporting events. We had a similar experience last summer going to a Dodger/St Louis game. For us it was fine, but I looked at all the families and wondered how they could afford to go to a game..

Nita

college sports tickets have gone up here to, the cheapest ticket for a Lobos basketball game is $14,a coke is $5 dollars and food is about the same and while parking is free I still had to walk about a half a mile or more to my truck. Plus you are packed in the Pit like sardines and with the smell of farts,nachos and sweat in the air but its all worth it.

[karmathecat]

So 92.00 for two people for a sporting event/drink/food/parking is more than you would pay for the occasional football game? That's about the same price you'd pay to eat out at one of ABQ's nicer restaurants, something we do a couple of times a month and something many people here do, judging from how crowded some of those restaurants are.
I imagine plenty of people here blow $100 at a casino without a second thought.

[bradly]

I dont see why the Thunderbirds dont become pro?

If we can fill up the PIT at 18,018, and sell out more than twice a season we shouldnt have a problem filling up an arena for an NBA team.. some will disagree, but this is the way I think.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by karmathecat

So 92.00 for two people for a sporting event/drink/food/parking is more than you would pay for the occasional football game? That's about the same price you'd pay to eat out at one of ABQ's nicer restaurants, something we do a couple of times a month and something many people here do, judging from how crowded some of those restaurants are.
I imagine plenty of people here blow $100 at a casino without a second thought.

Well, of course you are right, but I am thinking about how many can afford that plus the prices I gave didn't include any food, just a beer or water plus everything else and it was a pre-season game..If you have a couple of kids, think of what it costs..?? Sure people drop $100 at a casino and yes, many go to dinner and spend that much, but there are lots of mid priced restaurants that you can come out spending far less than $100.00 even if you add a glass of wine..$20.00 per person entree, $6.00 a glass of wine, and $10.00 tip, that is closer to $60.00.

Did I say it was more than I would pay or did I say if is a heck of a lot?? I am a huge sports fan, I would pay it, but you have to find 60,000 people for every home game to be able to pay that kind of money. My point is simply, there are just not enough base in ABQ to support a football or even basketball team at this time..It is very expensive!!!!

Nita

[lisdol]

Originally Posted by karmathecat

So 92.00 for two people for a sporting event/drink/food/parking is more than you would pay for the occasional football game? That's about the same price you'd pay to eat out at one of ABQ's nicer restaurants, something we do a couple of times a month and something many people here do, judging from how crowded some of those restaurants are.
I imagine plenty of people here blow $100 at a casino without a second thought.

I don't do any of that, actually. Not saying people don't. Dion's is a big dinner out for our family. I have 4 kids and I am pretty sure a Dukes game ('scuse me, Isotopes) is a lot cheaper than a Red Sox game. Even then, a minor league ball game might be something we do once a season. Blowing about $125 on an annual Biopark Family Pass is more my idea of getting my money's worth for a family outing.

[ohyes]

NOT Football Never!!!!!