New NBA Team (San Diego, San Jose, Long Beach: skateboarding, renting, hotel)

[gonnabeincal]

What does everyone think of the potential move of the Sacramento Kings to Anaheim?

How about the proposed name change to the Royals?

Why not just be the Anaheim Kings?

[Willy702]

Because if you mention Kings in the LA area people will mostly think about the hockey team. Quite frankly I wouldn't get used to them being in Anaheim, sure feels like they are just treating it as a 5-7 year home in a ploy to negotiate for a new arena in San Diego or Las Vegas. Few NBA teams do financially well renting space in someone else's building.

[LexusNexus]

Good for Anaheim. I have to had it to the LA area for its support for the NBA. Damn shame that the bay area couldn't get that team. Especially San Jose is in desperate need of an NBA team. San Jose area very anemic in its appreciation for such a great sport, primarily because the sport is dominated by black players. Quite pathetic.

[gonnabeincal]

I think Kings sounds better personally. They have the Giants for baseball and football, granted across the country. But it used to be both NY teams.

I agree they probably want to go to San Diego. I could see another team moving to LV before Sacramento though. 4 teams in the Southern California/Southern Nevada (extension of Southern Cal) would be a complete domination of the sports market. An entire division of Southern California teams.

[RobE]

San Diego has already had two failed NBA teams, the Rockets, who moved to Houston, and the Clippers, who moved to L.A. Hard to believe that Stern would give them a third bite at the apple unless there were big time concessions by the city council. Not sure that would sit well with the locals there, especially after what they continue to go through with the Chargers.

But then again, he put a team in New Orleans, where pro basketball has usually gone to die, so I guess anything is possible.

The obvious hole for the Kings would be Seattle, but the public there has soured on the NBA and so far I haven't heard of much enthusiasm for them here.

If the Kings are sincere about being in Anaheim, they need to win. OC fans are the fair weather type and won't back a loser. So as someone said, their ultimate destination could be Las Vegas.

The actual truth, though, is that the NBA needs to contract at least four, maybe as many as six, teams, but that is tough from both the public relations and political angles. Stern has some big brass ones, but not large enough to do that, unfortunately.

[robbybee]

Before the NBA Kings were called the Omaha/Kansas City Kings, they were called The Cincinnati Royals so reverting to that moniker carries with it a sense of the franchise history. I like it!

Fans supported the Mighty Ducks before they won and I expect that OC fans will buy Anaheim Royals tickets - even if it's just to see their hometown team (Boston, Philly, New York, Chicago, etc) or the Lakers play in Anaheim.

It's a real chore to get to downtown LA for a game at Staples Center, even if you park in Long Beach and take the Blue Line to Chick Hearn Court. Add to that the fact that tickets to Laker games are way too expensive and tickets to Clipper games put money in Donald Sterling's pocket - those are reasons enough for me to stay away.

When Anaheim built the Arena, the plan was to have NBA and NHL teams there. Disney started the Ducks and thankfully (IMO) The Donald decided to keep his Clippers in LA. Ducks owner Henry Samueli will probably end up being a part owner of the Anaheim Royals when all is said and done - and even though the Maloof Brothers have an interest in Vegas (Palms Hotel and Casino) I am willing to bet that they will be quite happy being based in Orange County. I believe that the family already owns property in the area and the Maloof Cup for skateboarding is based here as well.

The City of Anaheim will benefit because they will get additional tax revenue and a percentage of the Arena's earnings, once those earnings exceed a pre-established plateau - which they have not reached to this point.

It sucks for the fans in Sacramento but they have to remember that they only got the team because they stole it from Kansas City!

I say, Bring Em On!! While I won't be a season ticket holder, I will attend some games!

[bhcompy]

Originally Posted by RobE

San Diego has already had two failed NBA teams, the Rockets, who moved to Houston, and the Clippers, who moved to L.A. Hard to believe that Stern would give them a third bite at the apple unless there were big time concessions by the city council. Not sure that would sit well with the locals there, especially after what they continue to go through with the Chargers.

Exactly. The Chargers situation will turn off the NBA in a heartbeat.

The obvious hole for the Kings would be Seattle, but the public there has soured on the NBA and so far I haven't heard of much enthusiasm for them here.

The Sounders have taken up the hole left by the Sonics.

If the Kings are sincere about being in Anaheim, they need to win. OC fans are the fair weather type and won't back a loser. So as someone said, their ultimate destination could be Las Vegas.

If the Maloof's remain the majority owner, the team will fail.

As far as Vegas, the Maloof's have obvious ties there, but the league fears another betting scandal and the recession has removed any real possibility of establishing a fanbase there(all the base for season ticketholders is gone). LV will remain as a college sports town(particularly UNLV basketball) and occasional destination for NBA All Star games, few times a year NASCAR events, and minor league baseball.

[Willy702]

Originally Posted by bhcompy

As far as Vegas, the Maloof's have obvious ties there, but the league fears another betting scandal and the recession has removed any real possibility of establishing a fanbase there(all the base for season ticketholders is gone). LV will remain as a college sports town(particularly UNLV basketball) and occasional destination for NBA All Star games, few times a year NASCAR events, and minor league baseball.

A new arena and the situation will change. The NBA doesn't care or fear LV any more, they just want better markets to showcase their claim of "reality TV" every night of the season. But until there is an NBA worthy arena of course the Commish is going to say no.

[Willy702]

Originally Posted by A_Lexus

Good for Anaheim. I have to had it to the LA area for its support for the NBA. Damn shame that the bay area couldn't get that team. Especially San Jose is in desperate need of an NBA team. San Jose area very anemic in its appreciation for such a great sport, primarily because the sport is dominated by black players. Quite pathetic.

The more telling thing about not moving to San Jose is that the TV deal would have been much more palatable. They already get regional coverage on an existing network, moving to SJ would have probably just made them get flipped onto even more TVs staying on the same network.

This is why anyone who understands how pro sports works doesn't buy into OC for the long run. If they go to SD they can team up with the Padres to get a network going. If they go to Vegas they can own a new sports network there and maybe hold the Lakers hostage for money to show their games out there. If they stick to Anaheim they will just be beggars in a crowded market, getting a pittance for local TV rights. Sure Fox Sports now has a need for more content to compete with Time Warner, but if the ratings are going to stink why would you pay much anyways? They might end up being stuck in a Ducks' like situation where they have to show half the games on local TV just to drum up interest in the team while getting very little money for it.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by gonnabeincal

I think Kings sounds better personally. They have the Giants for baseball and football, granted across the country.

Used to be the STL Cardinals for both football and baseball.