[actinic]

Originally Posted by magellan

Why? Grand Rapids is a Tier III city. It's not even as big as Des Moines or Omaha (but it's still pretty awesome). GR should start thinking more like Asheville, NC or Madison, WI than try to be an Indianapolis or Minneapolis. That might happen some day, but we'll all be dead by then.

Compared to the teams they play GR is huge, playing against metro giants such as:

- Clinton (huh?)
- Lake County (wherever that is)
- Kane County (ditto)
- Burlington
- Beloit
- Peoria
- South Bend
- Bowling Green
- Fort Wayne

Embarrassing. C'mon GR, step up to AA at least!

[magellan]

Originally Posted by beachmouse

Holland used to be part of the Grand Rapids MSA and has actually lobbied to be put back into that description because the area thinks it will help them better attract businesses. There are also asome other technical reasons why it wants back in as well, and the whole I-196 corridor, where much of the growth has happened, is pretty interchangable with whether residents work in GR or Ottawa County. Muskegon also spent a fair amount of time as part of the Grand Rapids MSA.

Holland wants to be put back in for political reasons because they fear they're possibly going to lose federal funding because of their relative small size. It's not because Hollanders think of themselves as Grand Rapidians.

Muskegon was also part of the MSA when it first came out because the boundaries were not adequately defined. But ask any business owner in Muskegon whether they think they're part of Grand Rapids. Ha!

Again, much of it is political gerrymandering and trying to make Grand Rapids appear larger than it really is. Sorry to be argumentative but I've had this discussion with so many people over the years. If GR presents itself as a Tier II city wannabe, it will be a big disappointment to companies who check it out. If it presents itself as what it is, people will be impressed when they check it out.

Another aspect of pro sports is corporate sponsorships, and whether there are enough deep pockets to support luxury suites, season tickets, etc..

[magellan]

Originally Posted by actinic

Compared to the teams they play GR is huge, playing against metro giants such as:

- Clinton (huh?)
- Lake County (wherever that is)
- Kane County (ditto)
- Burlington
- Beloit
- Peoria
- South Bend
- Bowling Green
- Fort Wayne

Embarrassing. C'mon GR, step up to AA at least!

I don't understand baseball.

[timeofseasons]

I read a comment that stated Grand Rapids can not support a professional sports team. I would have to disagree, if Green Bay Wisconsin can support a professional sports team then so can Grand Rapids. However I would just question will they, I am not sure if sports is a large part of Grand Rapids culture as it is for Green Bay.

[actinic]

Originally Posted by timeofseasons

I am not sure if sports is a large part of Grand Rapids culture as it is for Green Bay.

Nope.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by timeofseasons

I read a comment that stated Grand Rapids can not support a professional sports team. I would have to disagree, if Green Bay Wisconsin can support a professional sports team then so can Grand Rapids. However I would just question will they, I am not sure if sports is a large part of Grand Rapids culture as it is for Green Bay.

The Green Bay Packers was started in a much different time than the NFL of today.

[green_mariner]

If Salt Lake City can do it, then why not GR? Orlando has done it, why not GR?

[magellan]

Originally Posted by green_mariner

If Salt Lake City can do it, then why not GR? Orlando has done it, why not GR?

Those cities are way bigger than Grand Rapids, and had a lot more growth in the last 10 years. But yes NBA is probably the most likely (requiring a new arena).

[mrrdwj]

I remember when I lived in the area, the local news made it sound like Grand Rapids was in the running for the 1993 expansion team (which would wind up being Miami and Denver), but ultimately passed over for lack of stadium. Then for the next 3 years there was talk about a multipurpose dome stadium and convention center, but the city would never approve funding. Then we moved to Lansing, and voila Grand Rapids got a minor league team and a new stadium. It definitely was not what was discussed. Since then, the Whitecaps have set attendance records for Class A baseball franchises.

At the same time however, Grand Rapids has allowed a minor league basketball franchise (Hoops/Maccers of the CBA), and a minor league football franchise (GR Rampage of the AFL) fold due to lack of fan support. Both franchises played at Van Andel, which coincidentally, I fail to see the difference between that and the old civic center.

[mrrdwj]

Originally Posted by actinic

Compared to the teams they play GR is huge, playing against metro giants such as:

- Clinton (huh?)
- Lake County (wherever that is)
- Kane County (ditto)
- Burlington
- Beloit
- Peoria
- South Bend
- Bowling Green
- Fort Wayne

Embarrassing. C'mon GR, step up to AA at least!

In the Midwest League, there are 3 teams that stand out in terms of attendance: Grand Rapids, Dayton, and Lansing. But even the remaining cities listed above, support their teams better than the FSL, which is considered High A ball, while the Midwest is considered Low A. So consider you are a prospect for the Tigers, and you are playing before a crowd of 7,000, then you get "promoted" to a place where you are playing to a crowd of 500.