New Orleans

[Folster]

This might be a little premature due to the destruction in New Orleans, but I think it is worth discussing. The Hornets are pondering different places to move the team for the season. Looking at all the pictures and listening to the commentators I think New Orleans might lose their franchises. Rebuilding the city and having a substantial population that could support the franchises will take years. Waiting would cost the owners millions of dollars.

According to Real GM the Hornets are in the preliminary stages of a temporary move and are discussing sites like Oklahoma City. I think a permanent move may be the wisest decision. They were already struggling in New Orleans.

Where?

Vegas, St. Louis, Kansas City, I don't think OK city would be a good permanent move.

 

[Chaplin]

St. Louis or San Diego, with Vegas being a close 3rd, would be my short list.

 

[elindholm]

I read a rumor somewhere about Las Vegas. San Diego is a bad choice, in my opinion, because California already has enough teams. St. Louis would be fine, but I haven't heard anything suggesting that they'd be interested in supporting an NBA franchise.

 

[jbeecham]

I would put them in Vegas. Las Vegas has wanted a team for a long time and this would be a good trial run even if it was only a temporary situation.

 

[Yuma]

I don't have any guesses, aside from Sarver making a lobby to put them in Tucson! I read the NBA has them gone until October 2006 from New Orleans as the minimum date in which they could return to New Orleans.

 

[Chaplin]

San Diego is a bad choice, in my opinion, because California already has enough teams.

That's true to a point, but you have to look at feasibility for revenue and potential marketing potential. San Diego is a much better solution than most other cities that don't have a franchise (and some that do).

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Doesn't STL already have an arena in place? They have been quitely wanting a franchise for a while.

Last I heard the Hornets may actually play in Baton Rouge. The arena there holds about 14,100 people, just shy of the Hornets average attendance.

I don't think the city will lose their franchises permanantly. From all the speculation I have read it sounds like they could be playing in a different city for 2-3 years while everything is rebuilt though.

When they move, don't expect it to be across the country like Vegas or San Diego. They will try to keep the teams geographically close to NO.

 

[scotsman13]

in order for vegas to get a team they have to take the nba off the sports book there. the amount of money in this area is a very large issue and it would take a new state law to remove the nba from every places sports book. so while vegas would love a nba team the wont get it till they give up the money from the sports book.

 

[Folster]

Where ever they move, a name change would be crucial. The Las Vegas Hornets would be sickening. I don't know why owners try to hold onto names when they move. Moving teams will be more openly accepted with a new name and a fresh start.

I always thought the Cards should have changed their name to the Outlaws upon moving here. I believe the team would be in a lot better position now if they had.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

in order for vegas to get a team they have to take the nba off the sports book there. the amount of money in this area is a very large issue and it would take a new state law to remove the nba from every places sports book. so while vegas would love a nba team the wont get it till they give up the money from the sports book.

The Palms actually hasn't lost any money from losing basketball.

The thought about sports betting is the money will always be there as long as you have a professional sport playing year round (which they do, even without Bball). People will simply bet more money on other sports, and it actually saves some money because the odds makers don't have to work as hard.

I have a feeling that if an NBA team was all set and ready to go to Vegas the betting would stop. No reason for it until a team becomes available though.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Vegas is the logical choice at this point. With Stern approving the All Star game as a trial, it seems Vegas has to be the frontrunner at this point.

 

[George O'Brien]

Oregon paper was saying it will be Las Vegas.

Baton Rouge only makes sense if the Hornets are forced to deal with their season ticket holders. However, at this point, I think those people have more to worry about than watching a terrible team.

From the Las Vegas perspective, they have the potential of getting fans from other markets to come in to see their team and then go to the casions.

 

[CardNots]

OK city would be great. OSU basketball is a short distance away. People in the area come out for basketball in droves...

People in Oklahoma are starving for something proffessional other than the trackor pulls...

I do live in Phoenix, but spent many years in Tulsa...

 

[carey]

Doh. I actually thought this was going to be some kind of relief fund message urging you guys to donate to the red cross for us hurricane victims.

I lost nearly everything I own, and I'm currently staying in Phoenix with family while the National Guard does their thing. Hopefully they will let us back into the city soon.

I haven't felt like posting much, but the loss of Finley to the Spurs really sucks. I'm really indifferent about the Brian Grant and James Jones signings atm.

 

[elindholm]

Hi Carey,

I made a donation yesterday and I'm sure many others have done likewise. Good luck with everything.

What's the plan for getting displaced New Orleans residents back to work? That seems like nearly as big an issue as the lost property, or maybe even a bigger one.

What a mess. I hope that, at least, a strategy for recovery can be in place within a week or so, even though getting things back to "normal" will take far longer than that.

 

[sunsfn]

They just said on tv that it will take about 80 days to get the water out of NE.

My gosh.........

 

[sunsfn]

Doh. I actually thought this was going to be some kind of relief fund message urging you guys to donate to the red cross for us hurricane victims.

I lost nearly everything I own, and I'm currently staying in Phoenix with family while the National Guard does their thing. Hopefully they will let us back into the city soon.

I haven't felt like posting much, but the loss of Finley to the Spurs really sucks. I'm really indifferent about the Brian Grant and James Jones signings atm.

What is the deal with Ins. Do you have some, enough? is this covered?

I hope everything works out for you, but it is going to take a long time.
I had to quit watching the tv, I did not want to hear anymore right now. I will tune in later to see updates. But this is a real tragedy!

-

 

[elindholm]

It will probably take federal funds to compensate for lost property. The insurance companies can't have this much cash available, so I predict most of them will simply declare bankruptcy and wash their hands of the problem.

 

[Shane]

in order for vegas to get a team they have to take the nba off the sports book there. the amount of money in this area is a very large issue and it would take a new state law to remove the nba from every places sports book. so while vegas would love a nba team the wont get it till they give up the money from the sports book.

Actually thats incorrect. They would only have to make a law making it so no games involving the home team could be bet on. But you could still bet on every other game. Much like they used to do with UNLV. But have since rescinded.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Actually thats incorrect. They would only have to make a law making it so no games involving the home team could be bet on. But you could still bet on every other game. Much like they used to do with UNLV. But have since rescinded.

No, the NBA will not allow a team in vegas until all NBA games are off the books.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

There is also some talk of moving them to Oklahoma city for next season.

 

[tobiazz]

San Diego is a bad choice, in my opinion, because California already has enough teams. St. Louis would be fine, but I haven't heard anything suggesting that they'd be interested in supporting an NBA franchise.

San Diego has the Padres and Chargers. Why can't they support a basketball team? It is admittedly not the best place for a team because there are alot more alternatives to do here (SD) than, say, Phoenix or Oklahoma, but among cities without a basketball team it should be a good one. Could a football/baseball city like Pittsburgh, Cincinatti be good for basketball?

Of course, I would only want them here (SD) so I could see the Suns beat them in my own town

 

[HooverDam]

St. Louis would be fine, but I haven't heard anything suggesting that they'd be interested in supporting an NBA franchise.

They arent. At least the people in the city arent. All they care about is Cardinals baseball, I tried to tell them about this weird game of basketball, they just stare at me blankly.

I hope for a permamenent move to Vegas

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

A permanant move won't happen for years, if ever. No professional sport is about to strip NO of their franchise right now.

For the next season they will be playing somewhere geographically close.

 

[George O'Brien]

My guess is that Shin (sic?) may see this as an opportunity to move. Even 2003-04 when the Hornets were a solid playoff team, their fan support was very weak. Last year they finished nearly last for attendance.

The location of the move will tell a lot. If it's Las Vegas, I'd expect it to be a permanent move.