what city deserves a pro sports team

[T-8]

Hi guys...
Just got a few ideas to talk about... sorted by pro league !!


1. NHL
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't know if ice hockey is well appreciated in the US Pacific Northwest Region. Nobody told me anything, but I think it is. Then, in my mind, it comes so strange the fact that NHL headquarters are totally ignorating the Seattle-Portland area. I'm talking about quite 5 million people totally ignored, the first metro area without a NHL team. I'm not talking about a whatever metro area, I'm not talking about Houston, TX (as it's been rumored, NHL could plan to put a team there, but it would be just another bust, like the NHL southward expansion has several times shown), but I'm pointing at a metro area who is supposed to supporting Vancouver Canucks all the way through, while it would be the perfect place for a new (or relocated) team by itself, creating kinda rivalry with Vancouver (unlike basketball) and getting support from Idaho-Montana Region.
>> Next city to have a NHL franchise: Seattle, WA.


2. NBA
The pro league I know most.
First of all, I don't agree with SuperSonics' relocation to Oklahoma City. Seattle has always been their home, and if they aren't selling enough tickets nowadays, it's just 'cause the team's so weak, probably the weakest in SuperSonics' history.
Oklahoma City would be the perfect home to the New Orleans Hornets, which, in my opinion, need to relocate 'cause they can't ask people to spend money for tickets while they've got to pay for rebuilding their house. Don't know if New Orleans is the right place for NBA (the Jazz left in 1979, do you remember ?). It surely ain't the right place now, after Katrina.
>> Next city to have a NBA franchise: Oklahoma City, OK.

Sorry, I forgot. If Los Angeles seems to love so much the Lakers, I'd put the Clippers on the road to Louisville, KY. I know that the fan base here is too close to the Indiana Pacers, the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Memphis Grizzlies. But Kentucky is the second Hoosier State. If Lexington-Louisville rivalry isn't so strong, do you think they'll support the once-ABA Kentucky Colonels to come back from Los Angeles ?
>> What about Lexington-Louisville, KY ?


3. NFL
Here it is: San Antonio is waiting for someone to fill the Alamodome. It really wasn't the right homecourt to the Spurs, while it is very very good for football. Don't know if Texas is saturated with the Cowboys and the Texans, but I've heard several voices saying that San Antonio wants a team.
What about relocating the Jacksonville Jaguars ?
>> Next city to have a NFL franchise: San Antonio, TX.


4. MLB
You know what ? I'm very disappointed with people from Montreal. What a strange city. Because of they are mostly french speaking, they believe to be the best in the world. They let the Expos fly away, and this means Quebec Region to be just a little little point on the world sports map. Only the Canadiens are left, but I hope they'll never leave: indeed, what have they got there apart from ice ?
Once I heard something about a pro team in San Juan, Puerto Rico: doesn't seem to be that bad, 'cause baseball is well supported there. But it'd mean very high managing costs. Wouldn't it ?
Last but not least, rumours about North Carolina are increasing. I know that maybe the Phillies, the Nationals, the Braves or the Orioles are too close, but what if the whole North Carolina supports a team based in Charlotte or Raleigh ? It'd be a state team !
>> Next city to have a MLB franchise: Charlotte, NC.


You can call me dude or somewhat, but these were my opinions.
Please let me know about'em...

Greetings from Italy...

[RDU]

I think Charlotte or Raleigh would do well with a baseball team. If the team would be in Charlotte, it could be impeded by NASCAR which is huge in the summer in Charlotte. Contrary to popular belief NASCAR isn't all that popular (sometimes even rejected) in Raleigh or the surrounding area, just college basketball fever and NHL in the winter. A team in Raleigh could also be adopted by the Old North (southern virginia, Northern North Carolina). Norfolk, Grensboro, would be surrounding markets that the MLB could sell to.

[STLCardsBlues1989]

I'd like to see Kansas City get an NHL team. It would start a new rivalry anyway. There was talk about it for a while.

[cathy J.]

Originally Posted by CNI

Correct me if I'm wrong...
Norfolk, on the other hand, is in a state of 7.6 mil. 100 miles from Richmond (no teams). Maybe 150 miles from Raleigh (no teams). Northern portion of NC could be part of Norfolk's fan base.

Norfolk, well the Hampton Roads Metro area, yeah they have the population to support at least at least one major league team and their TV & radio market is big enough as well, CBS I believe owns a station there.. but...I can't see them or Virginia ever getting a team.

It all goes back to that Dillon Rule/Independent city form of goverment that Virginia feels it must have which puts cities in competition with each other. Put a team in Norfolk, Virginia Beach wont support it or vice versa. Then there is the question of money. As conservative as Virginia is, I can't see it happening.

Also for some reason that area doesn't think its worthy of anything that means-metro. For example, when the upscale department store chain Nordstrom decided to put a store in downtown Norfolk, I remember reading where some local folks actually begged the chain to NOT build in Hampton Roads because they felt they didn't deserve it. Nordstrom did build that store and even though its been open now for several years, the same people keep saying the store will go out of business. I can't think of anywhere else that has happened.

My sister lives in nearby Newport News, she was telling me that some old times don't like the fact that a few of the local TV stations there ( WAVY and WVEC ) are now using news choppers. WTF? I guess these same people dont like it when local stations do traffic reports..makes their area sound like a big city.

I think its a good bet if anyone is serious about putting a team there, those "please don't come here" folks will make themselves heard.

[Canes2006Champs]

I would like to see Oklahoma City get the Hornets instead of the Sonics. I also think NBA could work in Albuqerque and Louisville. I can't see Birmingham get a team, Atlanta probably wouldn't allow it, same with Toledo,as well as Tucson. Washington D.C. might have something to say about a team of any kind in Norfolk. Hartford or Providence could support NHL though providence may be a little too close for comfort to bruins territory. I dont want Las Vegas to get a team because I feel like the players will just constantly get in trouble there. Tulsa's got a nice arena under constuction. Omaha could work for Baseball since the college world series is played there every year. Wichita might go for basketball.

[CNI]

Originally Posted by cathy J.

It all goes back to that Dillon Rule/Independent city form of goverment that Virginia feels it must have which puts cities in competition with each other. Put a team in Norfolk, Virginia Beach wont support it or vice versa.

Your point is well taken...but a bit overstated.
You're implying it is impossible or legal prohibited for one independent jurisdiction to financially support another in VA. That is not true. In Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield counties provided financial support...along with the city of Richmond...for their minor league baseball stadium of the Richmond Braves. It IS possible.

Originally Posted by cathy J.

Also for some reason that area doesn't think its worthy of anything that means-metro. For example, when the upscale department store chain Nordstrom decided to put a store in downtown Norfolk, I remember reading where some local folks actually begged the chain to NOT build in Hampton Roads because they felt they didn't deserve it. Nordstrom did build that store and even though its been open now for several years, the same people keep saying the store will go out of business. I can't think of anywhere else that has happened.

Actually this same type of thing happens in many places. There are always people who are opposed to change for various reasons. Virginians may oppose change a little more than average but not to some unprecedented level.

Originally Posted by cathy J.

I think its a good bet if anyone is serious about putting a team there, those "please don't come here" folks will make themselves heard.

Of course. Just like in EVERY other city mentioned on this thread.

Advantages of Hampton Roads:
- Relatively sizeable metropolitan population in a state of sizable population.
- No competition for the pro sports dollar. No overpowering competition from college or minor league sports.
- Highly ranked television market. Significant revenue results from TV (from my understanding, more than ticket sales).
Without the population and television impact advertisers would have no audience to reach.
- Product licensing. Hampton Roads should be on par with any other city mentioned in this thread.
- Ticket revenue. While the corporate presence in Hampton Roads may not be as strong as some other localities there are corporations near Hampton Roads or in Richmond that would likely reserve luxury suites.
No reason to believe season ticket holders in Hampton Roads would vary significantly from other comparably sized metro areas.
- Likely competitive product. Rivalries with Washington teams or Carolina teams would ensure interest. Plus many people stationed in the military or tourists...people from other places with an interest in other teams...would be likely to take interest when their team is in town.

[T-8]

Originally Posted by CNI

Your point is well taken...but a bit overstated.
You're implying it is impossible or legal prohibited for one independent jurisdiction to financially support another in VA. That is not true. In Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield counties provided financial support...along with the city of Richmond...for their minor league baseball stadium of the Richmond Braves. It IS possible.


Actually this same type of thing happens in many places. There are always people who are opposed to change for various reasons. Virginians may oppose change a little more than average but not to some unprecedented level.


Of course. Just like in EVERY other city mentioned on this thread.

Advantages of Hampton Roads:
- Relatively sizeable metropolitan population in a state of sizable population.
- No competition for the pro sports dollar. No overpowering competition from college or minor league sports.
- Highly ranked television market. Significant revenue results from TV (from my understanding, more than ticket sales).
Without the population and television impact advertisers would have no audience to reach.
- Product licensing. Hampton Roads should be on par with any other city mentioned in this thread.
- Ticket revenue. While the corporate presence in Hampton Roads may not be as strong as some other localities there are corporations near Hampton Roads or in Richmond that would likely reserve luxury suites.
No reason to believe season ticket holders in Hampton Roads would vary significantly from other comparably sized metro areas.
- Likely competitive product. Rivalries with Washington teams or Carolina teams would ensure interest. Plus many people stationed in the military or tourists...people from other places with an interest in other teams...would be likely to take interest when their team is in town.

I thought a team in Virginia was too close to Baltimore or Washington fan base. Maybe Virginia could be part of those fan bases by itself.
But while reading what you wrote, now I understand it ain't that way I thought.
Then my question is: OK, if Hampton Roads-Newport News metro area is that attractive, why it has always been without a pro team ?
I've never heard rumours nor anything about it, by no-one pro league. What's goin on with it ?

[illinoisboy]

Yay I deffinatly think that Portland could deffinatly use some pro sports teams. I think I heard that it is the most lacking city of it's size when it comes to proffesional sports.

[happytown]

Originally Posted by Canes2006Champs

I would like to see Oklahoma City get the Hornets instead of the Sonics. I also think NBA could work in Albuqerque and Louisville. I can't see Birmingham get a team, Atlanta probably wouldn't allow it, same with Toledo,as well as Tucson. Washington D.C. might have something to say about a team of any kind in Norfolk. Hartford or Providence could support NHL though providence may be a little too close for comfort to bruins territory. I dont want Las Vegas to get a team because I feel like the players will just constantly get in trouble there. Tulsa's got a nice arena under constuction. Omaha could work for Baseball since the college world series is played there every year. Wichita might go for basketball.

OKC- will be getting the Sonics. So thats a done deal. I hope Seattle keeps the team history/record/name/colors. OKC gets a new team and Seattle has the chance to get one back. This would work out in the end.
So we might as well take Okie City out of the mix.


On to the other real possibilities....

KC- has a major arena that is up to date with its seating capacity. NHL or NBA.
Louisville- Will soon have a major league arena that seats over 20 thousand in 2yrs. I bet the Hornets end up here. Plus, Louisville deserves it. The city is getting a lot of new development and is very up and coming.
D.C.- Anything could happen.
Las Vegas- money talks.

I would personally like to see Louisville get it before KC.


Third tier cities that most likely will see nothing in the next 15 yrs., but it is always fun to dream.

ALBQ- Up and coming. MSA pop is climbing fast. Needs a facility other than the Pit which is for UNM.
Omaha- Up and coming. Lots of money. Needs a facility larger than Qwest Center which just recently added 1500 seats. Bad mistake. Should have gone for at least 3,000+.
Tulsa- New beautiful arena, but the seating capacity is really small for the majors, especially considering modern day arena designs. Basketball-17,500, Hockey-16,800. Costs of a fancy design probably made it too small for future teams to want to relocate when many other larger options exist. MSA is big and the city itself is a nice draw.
Wichita- Where is Wichita located again? MSA is way too tiny.

[FightinPhils]

I think most of those teams are just large minor league towns. AAA level. I voted for Hartford since they were an established NHL city with a proven track record of supporting a team, and it just doesn't seem right that they lost their NHL team to Raleigh, NC of all places.