HOT ROD
08-30-2008, 08:27 PM
HI all.
Im not saying or wishing anything bad on New Orleans - they've been through more than enough:
BUT
considering Hurricane Gustav is expected to hit and be as big or worse than Katrina - could New Orleans' teams be homeless again?
I'd say San Antonio would be home to the NFL Saints; they did a great job during the last stay. But who would get the Hornets, now that OKC has a team?
Kansas City - logical choice, since they have a new arena and no tenant. But, do they have the dates available?
Louisville - they have or will have a new arena too with no major tenant. But they do have a college tenant or two so???
Tulsa - they also have a new arena?
Seattle - the NBA hates Seattle (and likewise, Im sure) but Seattle IS the largest U.S. market without a team. KeyArena is adequate for emergency situations and Seattle's fanbase has supported a team for 41 years (actually more like 35, but we wont go there anymore). Has Seattle burned all of their bridges to even be considered?
Vancouver - Vancouver is the largest market in N.A. without a team. IMO, the nBA screwed up with them by not allowing in quality players to build the fanbase. Ownership was horrible and didn't even really market the team in Hockey heaven. Yet, Vancouver is a NATURAL big league sports city and could provide a buffer of having another team temporarily in teh PAC NW - without the NBA having to cave in to Seattle. Im sure the players would LOVE to be in Vancouver - it's arguably the best city in the world (esp if you have money).
What about other cities with arenas (mostly NHL) with no NBA team - Pittsburg, Buffalo, Baltimore, Tampa, El Paso, Omaha, Nashville?
Like I said, this is assuming the worse. You have to plan for it, and hope for the best. I don't wish anything bad on N.O. and Im sure none of you do either - but who do you think could (and probably should) host the Hornets if things go bad again?
Im not saying or wishing anything bad on New Orleans - they've been through more than enough:
BUT
considering Hurricane Gustav is expected to hit and be as big or worse than Katrina - could New Orleans' teams be homeless again?
I'd say San Antonio would be home to the NFL Saints; they did a great job during the last stay. But who would get the Hornets, now that OKC has a team?
Kansas City - logical choice, since they have a new arena and no tenant. But, do they have the dates available?
Louisville - they have or will have a new arena too with no major tenant. But they do have a college tenant or two so???
Tulsa - they also have a new arena?
Seattle - the NBA hates Seattle (and likewise, Im sure) but Seattle IS the largest U.S. market without a team. KeyArena is adequate for emergency situations and Seattle's fanbase has supported a team for 41 years (actually more like 35, but we wont go there anymore). Has Seattle burned all of their bridges to even be considered?
Vancouver - Vancouver is the largest market in N.A. without a team. IMO, the nBA screwed up with them by not allowing in quality players to build the fanbase. Ownership was horrible and didn't even really market the team in Hockey heaven. Yet, Vancouver is a NATURAL big league sports city and could provide a buffer of having another team temporarily in teh PAC NW - without the NBA having to cave in to Seattle. Im sure the players would LOVE to be in Vancouver - it's arguably the best city in the world (esp if you have money).
What about other cities with arenas (mostly NHL) with no NBA team - Pittsburg, Buffalo, Baltimore, Tampa, El Paso, Omaha, Nashville?
Like I said, this is assuming the worse. You have to plan for it, and hope for the best. I don't wish anything bad on N.O. and Im sure none of you do either - but who do you think could (and probably should) host the Hornets if things go bad again?