http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slu...ts-philjacksonJackson critical on NBA ownership of Hornets
Lakers coach Phil Jackson said Wednesday that he is “not happy” about the NBA’s ownership of the Hornets and is pessimistic about the club’s future in New Orleans.
Speaking before tip-off against the Hornets on Wednesday night, Jackson said the league’s takeover of the Hornets raises questions about who has the final say if a player such as Chris Paul were to demand a trade.
“Who’s going to pull the button on it?” Jackson said. “When Chris says he has to be traded, how’s that going to go? … Someone’s going to have to make a very nonjudgmental decision on that part that’s not going to irritate anyone else in the league.”
Earlier this month, the NBA bought the Hornets from club founder and former majority owner George Shinn and minority partner Gary Chouest after Chouest backed away from negotiations to buy Shinn’s majority shares.
When commissioner David Stern announced the league’s takeover, he said the club was worth about $300 million and that the hope was to find a local buyer who would keep the team in New Orleans. Meanwhile, Chouest has said since that he is still interested in being the majority stakeholder in a local ownership group.
Jackson said the best thing about the move was that the team “is still here,” but he added that he has doubts about the franchise’s long-term future in the Big Easy.
“I don’t know if New Orleans can support a team. It hasn’t been successful in supporting a team until now,” Jackson said. “So all the situations that have gone on with New Orleans, unfortunately things have happened and if the franchise can’t make it, someone is going to have to move them.”
The Hornets moved to New Orleans from Charlotte in 2002 and in most seasons have been in the bottom third of the league in attendance.
However, the team averaged nearly 17,000 fans and turned a profit as recently as two seasons ago, negating a clause in their lease of the state-owned New Orleans Arena that would have en led them to up to $6.8 million in subsidies in 2009.
This season, however, attendance has hovered around 14,000, raising the possibility that the club could invoke an early exit provision in its lease and leave town after this season.
Recently, Gov. Bobby Jindal and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu have called on fans to go to games in order to meet an attendance benchmark that would prevent that from happening while engaging in talks that could result in a more favorable lease for the club.
The Hornets will be locked into their lease at least another season if attendance from a period beginning in late December through January is around 15,000. In the Hornets’ previous two home games, attendance exceeded 15,400 and the game against the Lakers was expected to draw a sellout crowd of more than 17,000.
Glad to see phil has the integrity of the league on his mind...“Who’s going to pull the button on it?” Jackson said. “When Chris says he has to be traded, how’s that going to go? … Someone’s going to have to make a very nonjudgmental decision on that part that’s not going to irritate anyone else in the league.”
I'll miss Phil's trolling more than his coaching when he's gone.
Agreed...Cuban tries to out-troll him on occasion, but Phil is the GOAT when it comes to that
Maybe the league should send Jerry West down there to run the team.
Jerry West in New Orleans, Chris Paul and David West to LA... sounds like a fair trade.
He's not wrong though. Everyone is feeling the "white man's guilt" when it comes to New Orleans. Let's face facts, the Hornets are not viable in New Orleans.
Fact is, if it wasn't for state financial aid and cheap tickets, the Saints wouldn't survive in New Orleans either. The Saints are on major welfare over there. People just don't want to admit that the city, as everyone knew it, is dead. It's not going to be what it once was, and even that city couldn't support both teams.
Phil Jackson. West gave him Gason and now he's worried about the Hornets and CP3. Give Gasol back and then complain
KFC trying to get CP3
I guess that Lakers trade proposal of Luke, Caracter and Phil's removed hip for CP3 has been rejected.
son with the Hornets yes you have a point. It is no big secret that the Hornets have struggled financially ever since coming here. Can New Orleans support them? only time will tell, but we are far from alone on this. Just look at all of the other BIGGER cities who's teams are losing money and fan support as well (Indiana, Atlanta, Memphis, New Jersey, Philly, Sacramento, etc.).
however son your statement about the Saints is absolutely ludicrous and completely ignorant. Even before Katrina the Saints have always had a very strong fan base here and never fell outside of the top 15 in attendance. Today of course its even stronger. The Saints haven't taken anymore money from the state than any other team in the NFL with the exception of maybe Dallas and Washington. You do realize that the SuperDome is owned by the state? so naturally any upgrades or renovations will be paid for by the state? Regardless all pro teams always have sweetheart type of deals worked out with the state they play in. please at least get your facts straight before spewing ignorance like that. Can New Orleans support the Saints? of course they EASILY can. Can New Orleans support BOTH the Saints and the Hornets? not so sure.
2010 New Orleans Saints
Team Value $955M
1-Yr Value Chg. 1%
Ann. Value Chg.2 11%
Debt/Value3 13%
Revenue4 $245 mil
Operating Income5 $36.7 mil
Player Expenses6 $150 mil
Gate Receipts7 $48 mil
The Saints le run has companies once again interested in buying naming rights to the Louisiana Superdome and resulted in the team leading the league in NFL-licensed merchandise sales last season. The team's waiting list for season tickets exceeds 60,000, among the highest in the league. Looking to cash in on their Super Bowl triumph, three sections of seats are being removed from the Superdome for construction of a new press box, eliminating 1,200 seats, while the old press box is being converted into 16 new luxury suites. Beginning next season the Saints will be responsible for more of the revenue streams at the Superdome and the State will pay for $85 million in renovations and will have its annual cash obligations to the team greatly reduced. The renovations to the stadium will include adding 3,100 seats, building new Premium Club lounges and adding 16 suites. Under the terms of the deal, team owner Tom Benson will buy the Dominion Towers adjacent to the Superdome and then lease roughly two-thirds of the building back to the State. The existing lease required the State to pay the Saints $185 million over 10 years. But under the new agreement the State will pay no more than $6 million a year. There are also plans to build a mini-sports zone in the land adjacent to the Superdome.
You push buttons, Phil.
Push them.
which dumper is chumpdumper?
or is chumpdumper a chump?
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
no, pull the trigger.
Maybe Mr. Peace-and-Love Zen Master doesn't use gun metaphors.
He's the best at it.
Phil's comments alone are worth the 10 million he makes a year hahaha its not like he coaches anymore so might as well entertain us.
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