For the millionth time, the league won't allow it, and the purchase agreement says in writing that the team cannot be moved out of LA.... and the money he spent is actually a counterargument to moving to Seattle, as nobody is going to spend $2 billion on something only to purposely devalue it
There is one possibility for him to bring the NBA back to Seattle, though - since we currently don't have a D-League affiliate, maybe he could establish one in Seattle and get the fans to actually support the team in order to make a case for an expansion team down the road....
Got a link to that? Does that agreement go into perpetuity? I think that would be highly unlikely.Actually the money spent shows he doesn't really give a about the money.and the money he spent is actually a counterargument to moving to Seattle, as nobody is going to spend $2 billion on something only to purposely devalue it
What compelling interest is there for the NBA to keep the Clippers in Los Angeles forever that they would require that in a contract?
the nba probably likes having teams in giant markets
Purchase agreement:
I don't know for sure if it goes into perpetuity, but I'd imagine it does, otherwise Media would already be using any time limit on that clause to give Seattle fans false hope...
League not allowing it:
Ballmer's own words on the matter:
Sure but in terms of actual viewers, it's not like the Clippers draw as much as the Lakers do. If they just wanted money above everything else, they would have approved the bid to move the Sacramento Kings to Seattle.
most of that is compelling except for "balmer's words"
i remember clay bennet's rhetoric too
There's no reason for the NBA to allow a team to move out of a top 2 media market in the nation without significant proof of hardship that just doesn't exist with the Clippers.... and no, being the "second team in town" is not even close to being a hardship worthy of relocation, tbh....
Another thing is that IIRC, before the Board of Governors votes to approve Ballmer as owner, he has to guarantee to them that he will not move the team of LA....
Did only one person write about the sale?
Markazi and Shelburne are two of the more active LA sports reporters. shelburne is typically on top of laker stuff, markazi with clipper stuff
In fairness, Shelbourne does a good job with both teams.... she and Mark Heisler actually scooped Woj over and over again during the Doc negotiations last summer while Woj was writing hit pieces that sounded like Danny Ainge ghostwrote them
momo and clipper smurf doing work tbhIn fairness, Shelbourne does a good job with both teams.... she and Mark Heisler actually scooped Woj over and over again during the Doc negotiations last summer while Woj was writing hit pieces that sounded like Danny Ainge ghostwrote them
OK, I'll wait and see what the new TV deal looks like. If it ends on or before the date of the lease expiration, I will still consider it a possibility.
When the lease gets renewed, I'll stop considering the possibility.
This. I'm not saying he's moving the team, but I am saying that money won't be the reason he decides not to. This is a hobby for him, not a business.
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