David Flores: Bass: S.A. can back two teams
Web Posted: 09/10/2005 12:00 AM CDT
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/c...s.d1614e1.html
San Antonio Express-News
Given his experience and stature, former New Orleans Hornets executive Bob Bass is well qualified to address the question about whether San Antonio could support two major sports franchises.
After all, he worked for two years in a city that — at least for the time being — has an NBA and NFL franchise.
Moreover, Bass is a refreshingly plainspoken man who always adds something interesting to any sports dialogue. At 76, he's one of pro basketball's elder statesmen.
So, Mr. Bass, could the Spurs and an NFL team (insert Saints here) coexist?
"I don't want to come across like I'm being insensitive to New Orleans in light of what's happening there, because it's been very sad to see what the people are going through," Bass said this week. "But I think the opportunities for a professional team are far greater in San Antonio than New Orleans.
"I think the chances of two franchises being successful are far better in San Antonio than New Orleans. The corporate base is better in San Antonio, and the average income is better."
Bass, who lives in San Antonio, made it clear he had that opinion before Hurricane Katrina ravaged the New Orleans area and cast a shadow on the future of the Hornets and New Orleans Saints.
Fiercely loyal, Bass said he still feels a strong emotional bond to New Orleans and the Hornets' organization.
He and his wife, Pat, lived in a condominium "about eight blocks" from the Superdome in New Orleans before moving back to San Antonio when he retired in June 2004.
"I've seen parts of downtown that I recognize — and they're underwater," said Bass, a two-time NBA Executive of the Year. "That's when it really hits you."
Bass was a coach and executive with the Spurs for 20 years before joining the Charlotte Hornets' front office in 1995. He was executive vice president of basketball operations for nine years with the Hornets, who moved to New Orleans in 2002.
Bass spends most of his time nowadays playing golf, hunting and fishing, but he still keeps up with the NBA.
While the San Antonio sports landscape would change dramatically if the Saints moved to the city, Bass expressed doubts the Spurs would lose significant ground to the NFL.
"I think it would change things, yes, but I think with the organization and the team the Spurs have, it would be difficult for the NFL team to take their fans," Bass said. "The Spurs are entrenched here. They're so good right now, and their organization is so strong.
"But there's no doubt that when you have the only ball in town, you're better off than when somebody else comes in."
Bass praised Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who last season led the franchise to its third NBA le in seven years, and general manager R.C. Buford for signing free agents Michael Finley and Nick Van Exel in the offseason.
"Gregg and R.C. have done an outstanding job," Bass said. "Sometimes teams win a championship, and they don't do anything to get better. The Spurs have gotten better.
"They've got nine guys on that team who could start for anybody. That's one of the real rewards of winning a championship — players want to play here."
While the Spurs might squirm at the mere thought of an NFL team wanting to play in San Antonio, I believe the city could support two major sports franchises.
Yes, we have our problems, including too much poverty and too many high school dropouts, but San Antonio is a thriving city with a bright future.
Still, it's important that any plan to lure the Saints includes a regional strategy that would focus on Austin and bring the rest of South Texas into the mix.
Make no mistake about it: Getting Austin's support for an NFL franchise is critical. Why? Folks up there have more "discretionary cash" than San Antonians.
Also, San Antonio leaders shouldn't underestimate the passion of South Texas fans.
Si se puede. It can be done.
Besides, Bob Bass says so.
I don't know how Austin is not taken into account by default. There should not even be a discussion if Austin this or that. Austin is but an hour's drive. That is closer than driving from one end of the Dallas/FortWorth metroplex to the other. I have no doubt Austinites would make a weekly trek to S.A. eight times a year for NFL football. The same goes for south Texas. Although the drive is a bit farther, it is well within a day trip.
Which is why the Cowboys are in between them -- and why Foxboro is in between Boston and Providence.That is closer than driving from one end of the Dallas/FortWorth metroplex to the other.
We can see these 4+ games as a dry run to see how much interest might be forthcoming from Austin fans and businesses. As was said, their involvement will be critical in determining whether the NFL would come back after this season.
Nice article.
The only football Austin cares about plays on Saturdays.
I think the NFL should focus on San Antonio, and South Texas.
As fas as Austin, they have a ton of Spurs fans now that the team is successful. I suspect the same would happen with Football.
At first, I thought the thread topic was talking about how the Spurs can field 2 NBA quality teams,
1st Team
Rasho
Duncan
Horry
NVE
Parker
2nd Team
Nazr
Oberto
Bowen
Finley
Barry
Where the is Ginobili?At first, I thought the thread topic was talking about how the Spurs can field 2 NBA quality teams,
1st Team
Rasho
Duncan
Horry
NVE
Parker
2nd Team
Nazr
Oberto
Bowen
Finley
Barry
He's on the uh....secret 3rd team. No, I just forgot when I posted, was late at night, =/
Because the people of SA are stupid. That's why the SBC Center was built in the middle of nowhere and they wouldnt support adding a little extra cash to make the AlamoDome baseball friendly or have a retractable roof.I don't know how Austin is not taken into account by default.
The SBC Center should have been built around Retama to attract the Austin Crowd, there is MUCH better traffic control.
Me too.At first, I thought the thread topic was talking about how the Spurs can field 2 NBA quality teams,
SA is a basketball town and does not need no fawking stoopid Saints team. Now screw off to War Memorial stadium in Arkansas.
How would you know this isn't a football town if we don't even have a freakin' college football team?
Lame.
Um... the best place for the SBC Center would have been somewhere downtown. Not freakin' Selma. Are you nuts?
I think i read somewhere that Holt didn't want the Riverwalk taking away from any of the concession stands, etc. So he went with Bexar County and built on the east side.
What in the is nuts about it? North San Antonio is where most of the people that attend the games regularly live, and would be an easier commute from NB, San Marcus, Austin, etc.
Downtown. Ha. Where, exactly? Parking?
Manu, Manu where are you????At first, I thought the thread topic was talking about how the Spurs can field 2 NBA quality teams,
1st Team
Rasho
Duncan
Horry
NVE
Parker
2nd Team
Nazr
Oberto
Bowen
Finley
Barry
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
