Could Las Vegas one day be home to a NBA franchise?
With the prospects of the NBA expanding a distinct possiblity in the near future, where exactly they would expand to always comes to mind. Most feel David Stern wants to bring the league overseas, and put a professional team in Europe or China. But what about back home in the US? Of the 30 current NBA host cities, who would be in danger of losing their current franchise? One comes to mind very quickly: Memphis.
Why Memphis? Its strictly business, nothing personal Grizzlies fans. Memphis is the smallest NBA host city television market currently, and attendance at home games has dropped consistently faster than my 401k balance. So if David Stern were to move the Memphis franchise, what are some possible destinations within the country for them?
1. Seattle - The former home of the SuperSonics wants desperately to get a second chance at hosting a professional team. Many feel that Seattle would be first on the list of relocation cities for Memphis, or any other possible franchise. The city of Seattle has a storied NBA history, and many compare bringing a new franchise to Seattle similar to how the Ravens franchise revived the city of Baltimore after the Colts left them in the middle of the night.
2. Baltimore – Speaking of BMore, this wonderful city currently is home to some of the best sports fans in America, as they support their beloved Ravens and Orioles. But is BMore a basketball town? That remains to be seen. Many have given Baltimore the same knock they give Pittsburgh, in that its a great sports town, but not a great basketball town, and they would not support a pro team there.
3. Las Vegas – While a few years ago, when the NBA hosted their All Star game in the sin city, this was a very hot topic. Unfortunately too much red tape and other politics will get in the way(right now) of Vegas becoming a permanent home for any franchise.
4. St. Louis - The home of the Rams and Cardinals could make room for a pro basketball franchise, right? Interest was initally sparked earlier this decade from locals in the city, but it did not go far.
5. Hampton Roads, VA – The seven cities(Norfolk, Virginia Beach) currently has no professional major sports team, and is home to a very diverse population of sports fans. Many locals have proposed various plans for years ways to bring a team to the area, but how, and who would fund the project never was resolved.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
What about Kansas City. They have got a beautiful arena. A very nice entertainment district around the arena. It also has a rich college basketball fan base. What more do you need.
Here are some places for a NBA franchise to consider: Seattle(WNBA), Kansas City, St. Louis, Louisville, Virginia, Connecticut (WNBA), Rio Grande Valley (South Padre!), Tampa, Nashville, Birmingham, and possibly Montreal or Puerto Rico.
It would never happen, but someone should consider Columbus. They have a pretty new, state of the art arena, no true competition(hockey would take a backseat to basketball here). Sure there’s OSU less than 5 miles down the road, but their fans only follow basketball when they win.
The Blue Jackets may be having financial problems but it has nothing to do with the support the city gives them. I think an NBA team in Columbus would work out great.
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