Hornets to return to NOLA

[Patrick]

Looks like the Hornets will be returning to NOLA in 2007-2008, and they'll be getting the All Star Game in 2008. But, you have to remember, this is from the New Orleans Times. They've been known to be wrong.

Plans announced for Hornets' return to New Orleans
By John Reid
Staff writer

After several days of extensive negotiations, the NBA announced on Tuesday the Hornets will return to New Orleans for the 2007-08 season. However, for next season, the team will be based again in Oklahoma City with 35 games to be played at the Ford Center and six at New Orleans Arena. NBA commissioner David Stern also announced that the league will enter exclusive negotiations with city and state officials to hold the 2008 NBA All Star Game in New Orleans. "While the NBA and the Hornets remain committed to returning to New Orleans, we have agreed with Louisiana and SMG officials that, for now, our collective interests are best served by having the team play the bulk of its 2006-07 schedule in Oklahoma City," Stern said. "However, we are hopeful that the team will be in a position to return to New Orleans full time beginning in the 2007-08 season."


The state could have forced the franchise to return to the Crescent City next season because there is no escape clause in the contract until 2012. With the city's recovery efforts from Hurricane Katrina far from completion, the state was willing to work with the league to come up with the best solution for the team during the short term. Earlier this month Hornets officials said all but three of their corporate sponsors either suspended or canceled their deals and one in three season ticket-holders no longer lives in New Orleans. By the 2007-08 season, both the state and the league expect for the city's repopulation and potential corporate support to return to near pre-Katrina levels, which will increase the chance of success in the long term. The Hornets temporarily relocated to Oklahoma City in September after New Orleans Arena suffered flood damage from Katrina on Aug. 29. They rank 11th in the league attendance with a 17,667 per-game average. Hornets coach Byron Scott and owner George Shinn said last week they both favored a return next season to Oklahoma City. They're not ready, so we should play in Oklahoma City next year and then start working to put everything together to come back," Shinn said last Saturday. During negotiations over the weekend, the state sought to have Shinn sign an unconditional guarantee for the team's return in 2007-08, but he refused and the stipulation was no longer pushed by the state. The Hornets relocated to New Orleans from the Charlotte, N.C., after the 2001-02 season. Last season the Hornets finished with their worst record in franchise history at 18-64 under Byron Scott, who now has the team as a playoff contender. John Reid can be reached at jreid@timespicayune.com or at (504) 826-3407.

[Patrick]

This tells me that OKC is being used for 2 years.

[Patrick]

Once again difference in opinion. Check out the Oklahoman article on this. It mentions nothing about the Hornets returning to NOLA in 07-08.



Hornets to return to Oklahoma City for most of 2006-07 season

From staff reports

The Hornets will play 35 home games in Oklahoma City during the 2006-07 season as part of a deal NBA Commissioner David Stern announced today. The deal did not include an agreement for the 2007-08 season, though Hornets owner George Shinn said it was still his team’s “goal to return to New Orleans.”
Previous story: Hornets will return
However, Shinn said a third season in Oklahoma City is a possibility.
New Orleans will host six regular season games, the 2008 All-Star Game and the NBA’s mid-year league meetings.
The announcement, which met the NBA’s self-imposed deadline for the deal, also included language that expressed hope for an eventual return to New Orleans.
“While the NBA and the Hornets remain committed to returning to New Orleans, we have agreed with Louisiana and SMG officials that, for now, our collective interests are best served by having the team play the bulk of its 2006-07 schedule in Oklahoma City,” Stern said in a statement. “However, we are hopeful that the team will be in a position to return to New Orleans full time beginning in the 2007-08 season.”
“From everything we have seen and heard, we have little doubt that New Orleans will soon regain its place among the world’s premiere cities for hosting major sporting events,” Stern said. “Therefore, I have committed to (Louisiana) Governor (Kathleen) Blanco that we will immediately begin exclusive negotiations with her representatives to bring the NBA’s signature event, the 2008 All Star Game, to New Orleans.”
New Orleans will host four Hornets games in March, the first big-league events in the city since Hurricane Katrina. The NFL Saints already plan to return for a full season in 2006-07. “The agreement reached today will ensure the Hornets’ stability while the New Orleans market fully recovers and, at the same time, maintains our presence in the NBA,” Gov. Blanco said in a statement. “The permanent identity of New Orleans as an NBA city is important to the image and the economy of our entire region.”

[Patrick]

I personally don't see anything in there that says they get all the games back in 2007-2008. It all depends on how the NOLA market recovers. All they're guaranteed right now are 6 games next year, the All Star Game, and league meetings.
Like Shinn said, if the market in NOLA doesn't recover (which is a strong possiblity), they may not return to NOLA for a long time, if ever.
Sounds to me like the New Orleans Times is making up stuff again. Nowhere did they say the team is returning in 2007-2008. That's still uncertain and dependent on a lot of factors coming together.

[writerranger]

Patrick, I think it's all about politics and not kicking a city while it's down. The key sentence in the NOLA paper is this:
"However, we are hopeful that the team will be in a position to return to New Orleans full time beginning in the 2007-08 season." Well, I'm hopeful that I will win the lottery in 2007-08. Doesn't mean a thing. They had to say this on a day they were announcing that the Hornets would be back in Oklahoma City next year.

[venture]

Look at the sources...of course they are going to be pro-City depending on which side of the border they are. Personally saying one paper is making stuff up, and not blaming the other for going the same, is wrong. Both are trying to paint a pretty picture for their town.

The fact they are trying to get the All Star game in NO in 2008 is a BIG plus for the Hornets going back. Honestly, let them. Let OKC get a team we can call our own, where we know they are an OKC team.

[Patrick]

Here's the official AP story, without the bias of the NOLA writer. No where does it say for sure they're returning to NOLA in 2007-2008. It only says they'll return if they're in a position to return. That leaves a lot open. If the population of NOLA is half what it was, will the team be in a position to return?

35 games in Oklahoma City; six in New OrleansAssociated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Hornets will play most of their games in Oklahoma City next season with New Orleans still recovering from Hurricane Katrina.


The NBA announced Tuesday that the Hornets will play 35 games in Oklahoma City and six in New Orleans in 2006-07.


NBA commissioner David Stern said in a statement the league remains committed to returning to New Orleans, but "for now, our collective interests are best served by having the team play the bulk of its 2006-07 schedule in Oklahoma City.


"However, we are hopeful that the team will be in a position to return to New Orleans full time beginning in the 2007-08 season."

Stern also said the NBA will enter negotiations to bring the 2008 All-Star Game to New Orleans.


"From everything we have seen and heard, we have little doubt that New Orleans will soon regain its place among the world's premiere cities for hosting major sporting events," Stern said.


In 19 games at Oklahoma City's Ford Center this season, the Hornets have averaged 18,546 fans, including 10 sellouts. The surprising young team is 22-22.


Last season playing in the New Orleans Arena, the Hornets averaged a league-low 14,221 fans and finished with a franchise-worst 18-64 record.


"I think the energy in the crowd has been a tremendous boost to our team. We've got a lot of young guys and they feed off that type of energy," Hornets coach Byron Scott said earlier Tuesday. "When you have a college atmosphere and you have a young team, this is what they like to play in front of."


After the Aug. 29 hurricane devastated New Orleans, the Hornets scheduled 35 games in Oklahoma City and six others at LSU in Baton Rouge. But after fans filled only half of the LSU arena for a December game, the Hornets moved the remaining five games -- two to Oklahoma and three to the New Orleans Arena in March.


The Hornets are 13-7 in Oklahoma, including one win at the University of Oklahoma's Lloyd Noble Center.


"The fans have been wonderful," veteran center P.J. Brown, a Louisiana native, said after the Hornets' practice Tuesday. "We don't win a lot of those games at home without those guys. They really bring it."


The decision takes the Hornets in the opposite direction of the NFL's Saints. NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue has said he expects the Saints to return to New Orleans for their eight home games next season, after splitting last season between Baton Rouge and San Antonio.


This weekend, Hornets owner George Shinn questioned whether New Orleans was ready to host a 41-game NBA home schedule.


"There's no real winner here. Somebody's going to lose," Brown said before the announcement. "You don't know who that's going to be. It's tough. As a player, you're very sensitive to the fans' feelings and you want to make them happy. You want to make them feel good as much as possible on and off the floor. It's a tough situation to be in."

[Patrick]

Let OKC get a team we can call our own, where we know they are an OKC team.

Good point. I do think though that Stern should award us a franchise just for our show of support, and for keeping a team afloat that would've gone bankrupt had it not been for us.

[BricktownGuy]

They will simply giving NO slow poison right now.

For now... 35 in OKC and 6 in NO, 2006-07

2007 -2008, 39 and 2 respectively

Year after that, When they see that NO is still struggling and OKC is having sell-out crowds, all games come to OKC.

Simply a business trick to slowly move away, instead of pulling a machine gun.

[Patrick]

With the All Star Game, league meetings, and all, Stern may just decide to move the Hornets back to NOLA. I doubt they'd survive in NOLA, but Stern has to do what's right here. I don't bash him for doing that.

[BDP]

Stern is brilliant and I see the NBA all star game and the league meetings as a great way to 1) pacify the market 2) establish good faith both nationally and with NO and 3) give much more political leverage if the team does end up leaving NO. No one will ever be able to say that the NBA turned their back on the city of New Orleans, even if the Hornets do leave. I do not see it as an idicator of what will happen with the Hornets. It's simply a nice gesture and one that I respect. The Hornets future will be decided by New Orleans viability as a market alone and I don't think that has ever changed.

I honestly do not think the matter is settled. The most uncolored statements express wishes to be in OKC, but they really don't want to look like they left New Orleans without giving it every chance to prove itself.

I can not disagree more with the idea that OKC is getting used. The truth is that the Hornets are as close to an available NBA team as there is right now and the fact is that they came to OKC and decided to extend their stay longer than most expected. The city is making money on this deal and likely will again next year. It is simultaneous helping a business displaced by tragedy and showing to the country that it is capable of hosting and successfully supporting major league sports. And everyone who goes to a Hornets game is getting great entertainment.

If the Hornets were holding off another team from being here with half-lies about being here long term, then I would say we were being used. However, that's not the case. Honestly, if they want or need to hang around until one is available, fine with me. But at that point they'll have to make a choice.

[fsusurfer]

The fact they have agreed to let N.O. host the 08 all star game is just about all the confirmation we need. It looks like the Hornets (provided another disaster, or no support) will be going back to N.O., and they are going to try to get as much money as they can from OKC in case they struggle when they get back to N.O. I dont think Stern can carve it in stone, who knows what might happen, but the plan, as he says, is to go back to N.O. Also, by leaving things somewhat foggy, people will still continue to feed the Hornets with money to try and get them to stay. What will we be left with? The possibility of a NBA team coming here in the future, but as we know nothing is certain, and until then, no professional team to call our own.

[writerranger]

The fact they have agreed to let N.O. host the 08 all star game is just about all the confirmation we need. It looks like the Hornets (provided another disaster, or no support) will be going back to N.O

I agree with BDP, that's a pacifier - just in case. If the team is NOT there, the NBA can say that they are honoring the rebuilding of New Orleans with the All Star Game. Which, by the way, is no indicator at all of whether the Hornets will be there. They could play the All Star Game in Bismarck, ND (which I'm sure is a nice little city) for all most people care. Point being: you don't need an NBA team in the city full-time to host the All Star Game.

Really, just read BDP's post again for how I feel, it was expressed perfectly.

[escan]

Agreed. Also, the fact tht Shinn refused to sign an unconditional return guarantee speaks volumes. If NO is ready, of course they'll return, BUT if the scads of people scattered throughout the U.S. don't return, then no businessman in his right mind would return to a city that can't support his team. It's obviously not a good time to "kick a city while they're down", but the Hornets franchise has to be profitable. I predict it will all play out in the repopulation of NO.

[fsusurfer]

Of course he wont sign and "uncodntional guarantee" that they will return, there are still several 'ifs'. But, I don't think that the city and people of New Orleans would care about hosting an all star game if the Hornets and NBA up and leave their city. If the city gets repopulated, as I believe it will (unless another hurrican hits) the Hornets will return to New Orleans as they have planned. Look, I'd like for them to stay here as much as anyone, heck I've gone to almost every home game. If something happens, and New Orleans does not re-populate, then we have a very good chance of keeping them. However, this thing is setting up for a "grand return" with the NBA trying to look like one of the saviors for the city.

[BDP]

It's obviously not a good time to "kick a city while they're down", but the Hornets franchise has to be profitable.

I agree and I think the NBA has facilitated that balance beautifully in this announcement. Whether the Hornets end up in OKC or not, the whole thing has really solidified in my mind that the NBA is the league we want, even if we have to wait for it.

But, I don't think that the city and people of New Orleans would care about hosting an all star game if the Hornets and NBA up and leave their city

I disagree. Whatever happens with the Hornets, the leaders know that maintaining a relationship with the NBA in any capacity is good for their city. I can guarantee you that if the Hornets left tomorrow, but offered OKC the All Star game and the league meetings, the city wouldn't think twice about accepting that. We'd be all over it.

I think that if the Hornets do go back, it will make a great "grand return" for them, but I do not in any way think they know right know if that's going to happen. I don't think anyone is being manipulative when they say they hope they can go back to New Orleans, but don't know if they can. That's just what reality dictates right now. At this point, it's hard to view these special events as anything but concessions and gestures of good faith necessitated by the fact that they can not move the team back next year.

[fsusurfer]

I can guarantee you that if the Hornets left tomorrow, but offered OKC the All Star game and the league meetings, the city wouldn't think twice about accepting that. We'd be all over it.

Of course we would be, as we would still be a city positioning itself for NBA legitimacy and not the city that was being left high and dry (in their eyes) by the NBA in the midst of one of the nations worst natural disasters ever.

[BDP]

I don't think it has anything to do with that, as much as it has to do with the $30 million those events bring. You don't turn that down for spite.

And, really, it's New Orleans that has to prove legitimacy at this point.

[venture]

KWTV had a good story tonight at 5, about the Hornets contract with the NO Arena. There is no way out of the contract as long as NO keeps up their side of the Force Majure clause and have the arena ready for them in 24 months - they are well ahead of that. No other out. It is a very tight agreement and the $10 million people around here keep hanging on is the non-renewal penalty if they leave after 2012.

[mranderson]

KWTV had a good story tonight at 5, about the Hornets contract with the NO Arena. There is no way out of the contract as long as NO keeps up their side of the Force Majure clause and have the arena ready for them in 24 months - they are well ahead of that. No other out. It is a very tight agreement and the $10 million people around here keep hanging on is the non-renewal penalty if they leave after 2012.

That was just one attorneys opinion... Out of how many attorneys in this country?

[Patrick]

KWTV had a good story tonight at 5, about the Hornets contract with the NO Arena. There is no way out of the contract as long as NO keeps up their side of the Force Majure clause and have the arena ready for them in 24 months - they are well ahead of that. No other out. It is a very tight agreement and the $10 million people around here keep hanging on is the non-renewal penalty if they leave after 2012.

Actually NOLA has already defaulted on the contract. They were supposed to have a practice facility built, renovations done to the arena, etc.

[venture]

Actually NOLA has already defaulted on the contract. They were supposed to have a practice facility built, renovations done to the arena, etc.

Obviously that is a non-issue otherwise it would have been brought up.

[Patrick]

It actually has been brought up on other forums and sites. I'm sure Shinn and his lawyers aren't going to publicize it though.

[fsusurfer]

Its amazing the spin the oklahoman/newsok has put on this. Yesterday they have an article stating the announcement the Hornets will be here next season means OKC is one step closer to keeping the Hornets permanently, and now this article. I really think some people take this outlet as the gospel even though it changes daily. I also think that the Hornets could be packed up, on the bus headed back to N.O. and people will still think they are staying here for good.

[Karried]

There are so many unknowns in all of this. I wish we had a crystal ball - looks like we are in for another year of second guessing and dissecting every article and tidbit of news.

1) I think the All Star was a consolation prize and a way to soften the blow of only 6 games being played there and a possible permanent move.

2) The contract is just that, and contracts can be broken and are all the time.. nothing is iron clad. I think Katrina might have voided some of the legalities of it anyway.. we need to ask Doug or Midtowner for thier legal take.

3) Regardless if the team stays or goes, the positive pr has been invaluable for our city.. we have been put on the map so to speak, and we are losing the stigma of a sleepy town with nothing to do. The national media has reported countless stories of how we have supported the Hornets, bought tickets and merchandise and basically shocked the NBA world with our attendance and enthusiasm. I will never feel 'played' or used.. the experience at the Ford Center is well worth the cost of tickets and cheering the Hornets on to victory is priceless in my opinion.

as always.... GO HORNETS!