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Just below Memphis and OKC and above New Orleans - which all have NBA teams.
I see what you're saying, but it doesn't mean that Austin couldn't support an NBA team.
No, but unlike those cities you mentioned, they're not 80 miles away from another city with an already successful NBA franchise AND they don't have a major FBS school who's athletics dominate that town.
- NFL: 1) Los Angeles, CA; 2) Toronto, ON; 3) San Antonio, TX; 4) Las Vegas, NV; 5) Portland, OR; 6) Sacramento, CA; 7) Raleigh, NC; 8) Virginia Beach, VA.
- MLS: 1) Phoenix, AZ; 2) Minneapolis, MN; 3) San Antonio, TX; 4) New Orleans, LA; 5) Las Vegas, NV; 6) San Diego, CA; 7) Saint Louis, MO or Kansas City, MO; 8) Austin, TX; 9) Sacramento, CA.
- NHL: 1) Seattle, WA; 2) Quebec City, QC; 3) Houston, TX; 4) Atlanta, GA; 5) Kansas City, MO [Sprint Center is ready].
Wanted to give more to Orlando and Austin but their location 80 miles from bigger sports markets like Tampa and San Antonio hinder them. Orlando is getting an MLS team though.
Atlanta already had a NHL team but they got moved to Winnipeg a few years ago. They had the lowest attendance in the league.
No, but unlike those cities you mentioned, they're not 80 miles away from another city with an already successful NBA franchise AND they don't have a major FBS school who's athletics dominate that town.
Again...even though this is true, I believe Austin could easily support an NBA team.
Atlanta already had a NHL team but they got moved to Winnipeg a few years ago. They had the lowest attendance in the league.
The Thrashers NEVER had the lowest attendance in the league. They were generally around 22nd out of 30, but even the last two years when they were really bad they were 27th out of 30. That isn't last.
As was already discussed and is well-known to most people, Atlanta lost both franchises due to shoddy ownership.
None of these is a MLB contender. They might all be good prospects for MLS, but not Major League Baseball. MLB is the gold standard of pro sports.
I think Charlotte could within the next few years. MLB is very popular on the east coast and many people have migrated to the Carolina's from Philly, DC, NYC, Boston etc. It does take a large metro area to support MLB, but Charlotte has 2.5 million their region alone and I think Charlotte would draw well from across the state (Raleigh etc). North Carolina alone has 10 million people (4 million more than Missouri with has two MLB teams). It's far enough away from DC, Atlanta etc, but close enough to develop rivalries.
I personally would love to see a new MLB stadium in downtown Charlotte and think it would go over pretty well. Move the Rays there.
But no, I don't think Indy, Austin, LV or Sacramento will support MLB. The only other place other than Charlotte would be Portland.
I think Charlotte could within the next few years. MLB is very popular on the east coast and many people have migrated to the Carolina's from Philly, DC, NYC, Boston etc. It does take a large metro area to support MLB, but Charlotte has 2.5 million their region alone and I think Charlotte would draw well from across the state (Raleigh etc). North Carolina alone has 10 million people (4 million more than Missouri with has two MLB teams). It's far enough away from DC, Atlanta etc, but close enough to develop rivalries.
I personally would love to see a new MLB stadium in downtown Charlotte and think it would go over pretty well. Move the Rays there.
But no, I don't think Indy, Austin, LV or Sacramento will support MLB. The only other place other than Charlotte would be Portland.
NC is part of the Braves territory and has a lot of loyal fans there. Charlotte needs to grow a little more before getting an MLB team...the smallest MLB markets have mostly been baseball cities for many years, so they have a very established fan base. I agree that Charlotte might be ready for a team in a few years.
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