who deserves the next expansion team (ticket, MLB, professional, NHL)

[NewToCA]

Originally Posted by Canes2006Champs

Well maybe not anymore as a previous member posted, but their future in Sacramento was in ? not long ago. Hopefully, they will stay, and renew the rivarly they once had with the Lakers.

If Heather Fargo had been reelected as mayor of Sacramento I think it was possible the Kings would have moved. However, with Kevin Johnson winning the mayor's race, I think it is far more likely they end up building a new arena and keeping the team here.

[krudmonk]

Originally Posted by Canes2006Champs

Honestly, unless the Kings, Warriors, Clippers, or Lakers move there, I don't think San Diego should get a team. Four NBA teams in California is enough IMO.

Who cares if they're all in the same state? What a small-minded assessment. San Diego is still an untapped market, regardless.

[censusdata]

Originally Posted by TNKY

My vote goes for Louisville KY. Rabid basketball fans and no competition from Cincy. Plus the new arena.

1. People in KY absolutly HATE the NBA style of basketball

2. Louisville Cardinal fans across the state will fight their bball team becoming a warming up act for an NBA team playing in the same arena tooth and nail (look what happened to U of Memphis's attendance since the NBA)

3. Louisville's market is decent, but would have to strongly draw from Cincinnati & even Dayton to draw enough money to break even

4. Seattle, Las Vegas, St Louis, Kansas City, San Diego, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, & Nashville are larger & don't have an NBA team

[maestro]

I think the "Memphis as a major league town" experiment hasn't worked, so I'd love to see the Grizzlies return to the Pacific Northwest, this time going back to Seattle. Though part of me wishes Seattle would say "no" and give the finger to the NBA after they did them so wrong with the Sonics leaving.

As far as new markets go, I don't think Louisville would work. Indy is barely drawing anyone any more, and they are right Basketball Country (and only a few hours away from Louisville).

As a Knicks fan, I'd love to see NBA-caliber basketball return to Madison Square Garden one day. (ha ha)

[censusdata]

Originally Posted by maestro

I think the "Memphis as a major league town" experiment hasn't worked, so I'd love to see the Grizzlies return to the Pacific Northwest, this time going back to Seattle. Though part of me wishes Seattle would say "no" and give the finger to the NBA after they did them so wrong with the Sonics leaving.

As far as new markets go, I don't think Louisville would work. Indy is barely drawing anyone any more, and they are right Basketball Country (and only a few hours away from Louisville).

As a Knicks fan, I'd love to see NBA-caliber basketball return to Madison Square Garden one day. (ha ha)

Memphis Grizzlies are only average 66% attendance this year (so my post on NBA att. for link). The sad thing is the Griz has drug down the University of Memphis Tigers' attendance way down as well.

Memphis and Louisville are practically identical in size, growth, income, education, and both are even then main world hubs for FedEx (Mem) & UPS (Lou)- L'ville does have much lower crime. If the NBA won't work in Memphis there is no reason it would in Louisville

IMO cities like Memphis, Louisville, & Columbus are MUCH better off being major college cities rather than weak small market pro cities

[krudmonk]

Why throw Columbus in there? They do fine with the Crew and Blue Jackets.

[Buckeye in SC]

Originally Posted by krudmonk

Why throw Columbus in there? They do fine with the Crew and Blue Jackets.

But note, soccer & hockey are 2 non-popular college sports, which is why I believe they work in Cbus. Try putting an NFL team or NBA team there, no way they compete w/the Buckeyes. And soccer & hockey are not even in the discussion of most popular pro sports any more as it used to be NFL, MLB & NBA, w/the NHL not too far off in 4th, but now, they are likely 5th or 6th behind NASCAR and possibly PGA too.

[maestro]

Originally Posted by krudmonk

Why throw Columbus in there? They do fine with the Crew and Blue Jackets.

Columbus isn't supporting the Blue Jackets too well these days. That honeymoon is over.

[Buckeye in SC]

Originally Posted by maestro

Columbus isn't supporting the Blue Jackets too well these days. That honeymoon is over.

That'll happen when you've been existance for 8 years and have had little success and 0 playoff appearances. I love how these pro sports owners and writers expect people to continually support losing franchises. Why should it be any different from supporting a restaurant or any other business? Put out a good product, and the people will come. I'm not saying they need to win a Stanley Cup every year, but it would be nice to see them put out a decent competitive team and have a few playoff appearances by now. The same thing has happened up in Charlotte w/the Bobcats, the team stinks and has pretty much since they came back earlier this decade, and yet people wonder why the attendance is so low? Bad product = low attendance.

[MILWCITY]

The Bucks suck give them to Iowa and give us here in Milwaukee a new team.