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So if they get new owners, does that mean they could move to a different city?
UP FOR SALE
Well things are getting interesting on the NBA ownership front; word is as many as four NBA teams are up for sale – The Seattle Sonics, The Portland Trail Blazers, The Charlotte Bobcats and The Houston Rockets. The Sonics supposedly have put a $400 million price tag on the team, and have retained representation to broker the deal, the Sonics are not likely to fetch $400 million, but if a serious prospect surfaces don’t be surprised to see the Sonics fetch between $365 to $375 million. The Blazers price tag is slightly less, at $325 million, but unlike the Sonics that will include the Portland arena. The Blazers supposedly have at least two serious suitors, but no one has gotten to the approval stage yet. The Bobcats may change hands or at least get a new co-owner and word is it could be Michael Jordan. Bob Johnson apparently is struggling in Charlotte and is looking at ways to jump start the business side of the franchise and is looking for a serious partner or a complete buyout according to reports. There has been a long running rumor that the Rockets could be had for just over $425 million, which is a massive number. Rockets sources deny that Les Alexander is interested in selling, but several league sources say if the fortunes of the Rockets don’t improve soon, Les may cash out while the value is high. It’s likely that the Sonics and Blazers are sold this year; the rest is really about interest and timing.
So if they get new owners, does that mean they could move to a different city?
up to the owner ala Art Model.
the nba has to approve the move also
Stern is already on board with Seattle moving. He has repeatedly scolded the city about their dated arena and ty lease for the Sonics.
Now introducing the starting lineups for your 2006 Las Vegas Sonics...
I'm curious if that could really happen. But I personally would love it! It would probably give me the opportunity to see more NAB basketball, although with the amount of tourism and visiting money in that city can you imagine the price of the tickets when sold out?
Stern has already said that Vegas isn't getting a team unless they are going to stop having gambling on NBA games.
Supposedly the cities that are leading candidates for the Sonics move are Bellevue WA and San Jose CA, I believe.
Bellevue, WA?? how big of a market is that?
It's still same market as Seattle. It's right outside.
Bellevue is crazy big.
Oh I see.
So they would not change the name would they?
Bellvue WA is very likely...it's just a suburb of Seattle while being closer to the richer neighborhoods of Redmond. (hint microsoft is from there.)
Bellevue would be good.
Suburb, but enough land MTL to build a nice big beautifull arena.
San Jose??
Yikes, no.
Doubt they'd change the name. They have been talking for the last couple months. Supposedly the most likely things to happen are that they do renovation of Key Arena .. or build a new arena in Bellevue or Renton (suburbs of Seattle).
San Jose is supposedly up there with Oklahoma City as leading candidate for one of the next teams to move.
I can't believe the Bobcats are for sale
Good move by Stern and Co there.
The return to Charlotte has been a HUGE success
Places like Anaheim and San Jose don't need teams. Give other large cities in states without an NBA team that can support a team, like Oklahoma City.
Michael Jordan is gonna own all the teams in the NBA pretty soon.
I couldn't understand that eitherI can't believe the Bobcats are for sale
Good move by Stern and Co there.
The return to Charlotte has been a HUGE success
Aside from Bellevue, which would still be in Seattle, are there really any cities left that could support a franchise long term? It just seems that all of the major cities that could support a franchise already have one.
Anaheim? C'mon, three basketball franchises in LA county?? ACK!
Kansas City already hand a team..
I'd like to see San Diego get a franchise, but they already lost the Clips.
How many times will Charlotte get a franchise? Sheesh.
St. Louis is big enough to support a team.
IIRC, when the Hornets moved, it got crossed it off the list because the owner of the Blues also owns the arena, and was only interested if he could buy the Hornets outright.
They got so completely mistreated by the Hornets that it seemed like the fair thing to do. But if the Bobcats fail there, I think it's safe to say that they won't get another chance for many decades.
This is Charlotte's second team in less then 5 yrs.
The demographics are different now and those cities you mentioned could support a team solidly now along with some other city ideas:
Norfolk, Va.
Cincinnati, Oh.
Columbus, Oh.
St. Louis
Buffalo
Pittsburgh
Louisville
Birmingham
Baltimore
Albuquerque
No way in Albuquerque can support a major league team. That city is 2/3 the size of Ft. Worth and has no metro area to speak of. How New Orleans has (before Katrina) 2 major league franchises is beyond me. Vegas is a natural if they can ever get that little gambling thing worked out!
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