Business Class Project

[VitaminD]

Top choice: Charlotte.

2nd choice: Portland (Oregon, I am assuming).

Charlotte's population is fairly young, very affluent, and mushrooming in terms of population growth. They also have the luxury of drawing from both North and South Carolina. Their closest competition would be the Braves, about 4 hours away. They have other major league sports, and a population that supports them (remember how well the Hornets were supported until George Shinn knifed the entire city and fan base).

Everyone seems to tout places like Vegas, New Orleans and Orlando as good ideas. Keep in mind that these are large cities whose economies are heavily based on tourism. As such, their population is largely itinerant as people come to town for a few days, then leave. These people already have their own allegiances to their teams back home, or the teams of their youth.

A substantial chunk of the populations that do live in these cities are people who work to support the tourism industries of these cities - casino dealers, cab drivers, amusement park attendants, convention hosts. Many of these people are shift workers, and many may not make the kind of money to support a baseball team across 81 home dates every year. As rabid as the support for the Expos was in San Juan, Peurto Rico would have had a similarly hard time keeping the team there - in addition to the cultural/language barriers for the non-Latino players, the economic climate of the island is such that it could not afford to maintain a competitive team atthe major league level. I think the same would be true of teams in these resort towns. The Marlins don't always draw well in Miami, and they've won 2 World Series. The Devil Rays are miserably run, but they haven't really drawn except when the Yankees come to town - and then it sounds more like a Yankees home game.

[NJTank]

Vegas should be on there thats the next best choice.

New Orleans After the floods may never be the same again

San Antonio Maybe in 10 years but does not have the population yet to support MLB

Oklahoma Maybe in 20 years

Charlotte Has not shown to be a good market in NBA or NHL MLB needs even larger support.

Orlando Tampa and Miami have a though enough time drawing fans already

Portland Could be a good choice best among the group here.

Dallas Arlington is close enough so close in fact the Cowboys are moving there.

Columbus Reds and Indians Territory

Brooklyn 3 teams in NYC wont work now, NJ is more realsitic at this point. Though Brooklyn could be a good idea for teh Metss if they decide not to buil their new stadioum in Queens.

Buffalo-Could be good but I just dont know if they can support a team long term.

[VitaminD]

Charlotte Has not shown to be a good market in NBA or NHL MLB needs even larger support.

Charlotte supported the Hornets until the scumbag owner screwed over a loyal fan base. Signing 2 UNC guys will help the Bobcats improve their draw, which was shabby, even by expansion team standards.

And North Carolina's hockey team plays in Raleigh - Charlotte doesn't have an NHL team. Never did.

[sc49erfan15]

I say definitely go with Charlotte...but maybe I'm biased. And if they brought a team to Charlotte, I sincerely hope they'd keep the Knights name from the Chisox AAA squad. Also, no teams in the MLB have the medieval theme going, so it would be somewhat fresh and new. But if you don't want the Charlotte Knights...

Charlotte Hornets is the perfect name for a Charlotte team, but that is forever spoiled, so we can't use that.

Charlotte Miners/Gold Miners (Gold was mined in the area in the mid-1800's, the U.S. Mint had a Charlotte branch around that time also, one of only a handful of cities to hold that distinction...Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco, New Orleans, Carson City, and Charlotte...I might have missed one...also gives a nod to UNC-Charlotte, which is the 49ers...but that also arises potential logo conflicts)

Charlotte ... (Something to do with the textile industry, which was huge in this area up until the 60's or so...textile league baseball was also very popular...)

Charlotte Aviators (Yeah, Kitty Hawk is like 300 miles away...and I was against "Flight" when naming the NBA team...but it's a choice.)

And there's always the...

Charlotte Krunk (Gotta love the ABA )

[pcgd]

I think vegas has the most oportunity for a good project. Perhaps not the best option in reality, but I think for a project you'd have the most material to talk about.

You could focus on how you would solve the problems that people bring up with vegas in the gambling and such. Talk about how it would be a destination for away fans, and how you could set up specials for them to raise reveune. Stuff like that.

[HedleyLamarr]

New Orleans: Where's the population going to come from? It will be a long time before their population ever gets near 500,000 again, if ever. Bad choice.

San Antonio: I don't think Texas can support a third MLB team. Let's see how they support the Saints before we consider them a major league city.

Oklahoma ( Oklahoma City or Tulsa): It's a growing area, from what I hear, and it wouldn't be difficult to get people to change their alligences from the Royals and Rangers. But again, let's see how they support the Hornets before making a decision.

Charlotte: North Carolina is a hotbed for minor league teams, and I think it should stay that way. Other than the Panthers (and even them, to a degree), their pro teams have a tough time selling out. One of the few places where college sports are preferred over the pros.

Orlando: Florida already has two teams that don't sellout. Why have a third? Bad choice.

Portland: I've never thought of Oregon as a baseball hotbed. If the Beavers make more runs at the CWS, baseball has a chance to grow there. But I think Seattle's their team, and they're quite happy with that.

Dallas: Arlington's a two-hopper from Dallas.

Columbus: You're either a diehard Reds or diehard Indians fan in Ohio.

Brooklyn: Same as San Antonio. Two teams are enough for New York, city or state.

Buffalo: Much like Portland, in that it's not a big baseball hotbed.

[Jigga]

New Orleans: Where's the population going to come from? It will be a long time before their population ever gets near 500,000 again, if ever. Bad choice.

San Antonio: I don't think Texas can support a third MLB team. Let's see how they support the Saints before we consider them a major league city.

Oklahoma ( Oklahoma City or Tulsa): It's a growing area, from what I hear, and it wouldn't be difficult to get people to change their alligences from the Royals and Rangers. But again, let's see how they support the Hornets before making a decision.

Charlotte: North Carolina is a hotbed for minor league teams, and I think it should stay that way. Other than the Panthers (and even them, to a degree), their pro teams have a tough time selling out. One of the few places where college sports are preferred over the pros.

Orlando: Florida already has two teams that don't sellout. Why have a third? Bad choice.

Portland: I've never thought of Oregon as a baseball hotbed. If the Beavers make more runs at the CWS, baseball has a chance to grow there. But I think Seattle's their team, and they're quite happy with that.

Dallas: Arlington's a two-hopper from Dallas.

Columbus: You're either a diehard Reds or diehard Indians fan in Ohio.

Brooklyn: Same as San Antonio. Two teams are enough for New York, city or state.

Buffalo: Much like Portland, in that it's not a big baseball hotbed.

Now that you've stated a case against EVERY city/area on the list, where would you actually put the team?

Do you actually think before you decide to be a contrarian on every freaking issue?

[floydnimrod]

After combining this poll online and asking my friends the I have made my decision:

Charlotte - 11 votes

Orlando - 10

Portland - 9

Oklahoma - 7

Well it looks like Orlando and CHarlotte are the winners

THanks again to everyone who took part in voting in this poll.

[TBGKon]

do we get to nominate team names? If so, here are my choices:

Orlando Sea Kings

Carolina Knights

[redsfan39]

before you go all willy-nilly on a city, what is your target audience?

[HedleyLamarr]

Now that you've stated a case against EVERY city/area on the list, where would you actually put the team?

Do you actually think before you decide to be a contrarian on every freaking issue?

Baseball does not need to expand any time soon. But if they must, why shouldn't I look at the negatives for each city?

If MLB decided to put a team in Jackson, Mississippi, how would you, Al, and Rev'rend Jesse take that decision?