duncan228
04-28-2008, 10:59 AM
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24346877/
NBA's on-court success counters the league's off-court concerns
By W. Scott Bailey
On the hardwood floors, the NBA is enjoying one of its most competitive seasons in years, evidenced by the fact that, in the West alone, the Spurs will have to go through multiple title contenders if they want to remain champions.
But off the court, there are attendance, team relocation or other concerns impacting nearly a quarter of the NBA's 30 markets, prompting some veteran observers to suggest that the league may have over-expanded its footprint and over-priced its product.
In the East, the trouble spots include Charlotte and Indianapolis. The latter, which is now on its second NBA franchise, is struggling to fill seats. That has prompted team owner Robert Johnson to share publicly his disappointment with the fans and businesses in that community.
Patrick Rishe, director of SportsImpacts.net and professor of sports business at Webster University in St. Louis, suggests there are reasons for the NBA to celebrate but some concerns, too, including the Charlotte Bobcats.
"The honeymoon effect in Charlotte has faded," Rishe contends. "So (Johnson) needs to construct a winner or else things won't change."
Indianapolis represents another concern for the NBA. Once one of the league's top markets, the Pacers finished dead last in attendance this season, drawing a little more than 12,200 fans per home game on average. Last season, the Pacers, who have suffered from a series of player image problems, averaged more than 15,300 fans per game.
Then there is the storied New York Knicks, which have drawn the ire of fans and media with poor play, controversial management decisions and embarrassing legal distractions involving former team president and head coach Isiah Thomas. New Knicks President Donnie Walsh will now have to try and rebuild a team and its image in one of the NBA's most important markets.
Too many teams
There are problems in the West, as well. One franchise has been given the green light by league officials to relocate. Others could eventually look to follow suit.
On April 18, the NBA's Board of Governors approved the Seattle Sonics' move to Oklahoma City. NBA Commissioner David Stern, in a statement issued by the league, says: "The support for the NBA demonstrated by the fans, government leaders and business community of Oklahoma City over the last three years has been extraordinary."
But Stern also says, "We don't ever like to lose a city, and we don't like to leave a city that is as robust as Seattle."
Oklahoma City was the temporary home of the New Orleans Hornets after Hurricane Katrina. Despite an incredible season that nearly landed the Hornets the top playoff seed in the Western Conference, the organization has been unable so far to convert wins into sell-outs with any regularity. Only four teams this season drew smaller crowds than the Hornets, who averaged less than 14,200 fans per home game.
Stern remains bullish on New Orleans. But others, including veteran NBA broadcaster Dave Barnett, are less convinced the NBA can work in the Crescent City.
"Not every city can support an NBA team," says Barnett, whose résumé includes 12 years at ESPN and two separate TV stints with the San Antonio Spurs.
Rishe agrees.
"Basketball is just too expensive for New Orleans -- pre or post Katrina," he says. "The NBA should not have gone there and would be better served to put the Hornets in Oklahoma City rather than the Sonics."
Ticket prices may be a factor in more places than New Orleans. "The average price of a ticket this year was $48.83," Rishe says. "It's hard for people to shell out that kind of money if expectations of post-season success are minimal."
Game face
There is some good news, too.
"The NBA has never made more money internationally, and their media rights are through the roof," Rishe explains.
He says the current TV deals pay a total of $930 million annually compared to the previous deal that paid $766 million.
But are there issues that need to be resolved? "Sure," Rishe says.
In Sacramento, the Kings have been unable to gain community support for a new arena, much to the dismay of owners Joe and Gavin Maloof. Relocation is a possibility.
In Memphis, the Grizzlies have grappled with issues in the front office, at the box office and on the court. Earlier this season, the team traded all-star Pau Gasol to conference foe Los Angeles in exchange for two marginal players and two draft picks.
"I would put Memphis in the same boat with New Orleans -- not as poor of a community, but depressed nonetheless," Rishe says. "If a team were to go to Vegas, maybe that's the one."
Barnett says the NBA may need to contract. "There are too many franchises," he says. "The product is not what it was in the '80s."
Could the NBA lose a team or two?
"I don't think that's as impossible anymore," Barnett says.
But while the NBA may have some concerns in a number of its markets, it continues to pull television viewers. NBA officials say ratings were up double digit percentage points on ABC, ESPN and TNT this season, prompting Rishe to conclude: "I don't think the league has lost relevance."
NBA's on-court success counters the league's off-court concerns
By W. Scott Bailey
On the hardwood floors, the NBA is enjoying one of its most competitive seasons in years, evidenced by the fact that, in the West alone, the Spurs will have to go through multiple title contenders if they want to remain champions.
But off the court, there are attendance, team relocation or other concerns impacting nearly a quarter of the NBA's 30 markets, prompting some veteran observers to suggest that the league may have over-expanded its footprint and over-priced its product.
In the East, the trouble spots include Charlotte and Indianapolis. The latter, which is now on its second NBA franchise, is struggling to fill seats. That has prompted team owner Robert Johnson to share publicly his disappointment with the fans and businesses in that community.
Patrick Rishe, director of SportsImpacts.net and professor of sports business at Webster University in St. Louis, suggests there are reasons for the NBA to celebrate but some concerns, too, including the Charlotte Bobcats.
"The honeymoon effect in Charlotte has faded," Rishe contends. "So (Johnson) needs to construct a winner or else things won't change."
Indianapolis represents another concern for the NBA. Once one of the league's top markets, the Pacers finished dead last in attendance this season, drawing a little more than 12,200 fans per home game on average. Last season, the Pacers, who have suffered from a series of player image problems, averaged more than 15,300 fans per game.
Then there is the storied New York Knicks, which have drawn the ire of fans and media with poor play, controversial management decisions and embarrassing legal distractions involving former team president and head coach Isiah Thomas. New Knicks President Donnie Walsh will now have to try and rebuild a team and its image in one of the NBA's most important markets.
Too many teams
There are problems in the West, as well. One franchise has been given the green light by league officials to relocate. Others could eventually look to follow suit.
On April 18, the NBA's Board of Governors approved the Seattle Sonics' move to Oklahoma City. NBA Commissioner David Stern, in a statement issued by the league, says: "The support for the NBA demonstrated by the fans, government leaders and business community of Oklahoma City over the last three years has been extraordinary."
But Stern also says, "We don't ever like to lose a city, and we don't like to leave a city that is as robust as Seattle."
Oklahoma City was the temporary home of the New Orleans Hornets after Hurricane Katrina. Despite an incredible season that nearly landed the Hornets the top playoff seed in the Western Conference, the organization has been unable so far to convert wins into sell-outs with any regularity. Only four teams this season drew smaller crowds than the Hornets, who averaged less than 14,200 fans per home game.
Stern remains bullish on New Orleans. But others, including veteran NBA broadcaster Dave Barnett, are less convinced the NBA can work in the Crescent City.
"Not every city can support an NBA team," says Barnett, whose résumé includes 12 years at ESPN and two separate TV stints with the San Antonio Spurs.
Rishe agrees.
"Basketball is just too expensive for New Orleans -- pre or post Katrina," he says. "The NBA should not have gone there and would be better served to put the Hornets in Oklahoma City rather than the Sonics."
Ticket prices may be a factor in more places than New Orleans. "The average price of a ticket this year was $48.83," Rishe says. "It's hard for people to shell out that kind of money if expectations of post-season success are minimal."
Game face
There is some good news, too.
"The NBA has never made more money internationally, and their media rights are through the roof," Rishe explains.
He says the current TV deals pay a total of $930 million annually compared to the previous deal that paid $766 million.
But are there issues that need to be resolved? "Sure," Rishe says.
In Sacramento, the Kings have been unable to gain community support for a new arena, much to the dismay of owners Joe and Gavin Maloof. Relocation is a possibility.
In Memphis, the Grizzlies have grappled with issues in the front office, at the box office and on the court. Earlier this season, the team traded all-star Pau Gasol to conference foe Los Angeles in exchange for two marginal players and two draft picks.
"I would put Memphis in the same boat with New Orleans -- not as poor of a community, but depressed nonetheless," Rishe says. "If a team were to go to Vegas, maybe that's the one."
Barnett says the NBA may need to contract. "There are too many franchises," he says. "The product is not what it was in the '80s."
Could the NBA lose a team or two?
"I don't think that's as impossible anymore," Barnett says.
But while the NBA may have some concerns in a number of its markets, it continues to pull television viewers. NBA officials say ratings were up double digit percentage points on ABC, ESPN and TNT this season, prompting Rishe to conclude: "I don't think the league has lost relevance."