Oklahoma City . . . Sonics?

[jrh31584]

#31 - Las Vegas/Paradise/Pahrump, NV - 1,820,232

Is henderson in this as well? That would make a HUGE difference.

Yes it is.

[cyandlux]

I still think Vegas is the best place....they could build an arena in less than 6 months, I think they have some plans for one, that was to lure the NHL, near downtown and the spagetti bowl. That said, the new owners are from OKC and the Hornets did very well there, Id be more than surprised if thats not where they end up.

[rams80]

I still think Vegas is the best place....they could build an arena in less than 6 months, I think they have some plans for one, that was to lure the NHL, near downtown and the spagetti bowl. That said, the new owners are from OKC and the Hornets did very well there, Id be more than surprised if thats not where they end up.

I'm sorry, it takes more than 6 months to build a modern, major league arena. So no, it would not happen this year.

[leedsunited]

#31 - Las Vegas/Paradise/Pahrump, NV - 1,820,232

Is henderson in this as well? That would make a HUGE difference.

That has to be the entireity of Southern Nevada.

And yeah, looking at the stats above, it's insane the NBA would allow the franchise to flee a much stronger market (in terms of population, corporate strength, and tv markets) for a lesser one. And we're not even opening the eventual gaming can of worms when it comes to a professional franchise in Vegas.

[Mac the Knife]

Vegas should be taken seriously simply because of money.

There's corporate money there in the form of the casinos. The casinos will gladly buy every ticket in the building and comp 'em to their high rollers - whether or not the place fills or is half-empty, the tix will be bought.

There's population there. It's among the fastest growing areas in America.

There's not much concern within NBA circles about television market sizes right now. The league's current deal is secure, and they can revisit Seattle when the current deal is expiring.

The only question: Will the casinos consent to avoid putting lines up on the Las Vegas team's NBA games? If the answer's "yes," they'll get a team - sooner rather than later. Otherwise it won't happen.

[Luigi74]

Vegas should be taken seriously simply because of money.

There's corporate money there in the form of the casinos. The casinos will gladly buy every ticket in the building and comp 'em to their high rollers - whether or not the place fills or is half-empty, the tix will be bought.

There's population there. It's among the fastest growing areas in America.

There's not much concern within NBA circles about television market sizes right now. The league's current deal is secure, and they can revisit Seattle when the current deal is expiring.

The only question: Will the casinos consent to avoid putting lines up on the Las Vegas team's NBA games? If the answer's "yes," they'll get a team - sooner rather than later. Otherwise it won't happen.

The casinos dont want pro sports teams in Las Vegas if it means they have to give up action in the sports books and the NBA want's no betting on the league at all if a team moves to Las Vegas.

Also the casinos wouldnt buy up every ticket for high rollers, sure they would buy luxury boxes for big time players but they gain nothing in shipping a normal high roller off to a game for 3 or 4 hours(counting travel time). Casino's comp show tickets because they are inside the hotel and the player only spends around 80 to 90 minutes at the show.

[Saint Zephyr III]

Well, here's a question to contemplate...

What happens if the Sonics end up with the #1 or #2 pick in this year's draft? Will this effect the situation in anyway, I wonder. Would the NBA really want two of their future marquee players to play in some lame-duck year for a moving franchise? Would they want a city to have to deal with not only losing their team, but having a potential new era of excellence taken away from them?

[Mac the Knife]

The casinos dont want pro sports teams in Las Vegas if it means they have to give up action in the sports books and the NBA want's no betting on the league at all if a team moves to Las Vegas.

Also the casinos wouldnt buy up every ticket for high rollers, sure they would buy luxury boxes for big time players but they gain nothing in shipping a normal high roller off to a game for 3 or 4 hours(counting travel time). Casino's comp show tickets because they are inside the hotel and the player only spends around 80 to 90 minutes at the show.

Au contraire. The presence of an NBA franchise makes Vegas look more "major league" in the eyes of casino operators who've been quoted on the subject, and they believe it would enhance tourism. Look at the NASCAR race that was placed there - if you've ever been in Las Vegas the week that race is run, you wish you weren't; its redneck city, and an NBA franchise would have a similar effect albeit spread out over the course of months.

And you don't think casinos would buy up seats? Wow, you don't know comps. Casinos would comp a pair of NBA tickets for the Las Vegas 21's (or whatever) just as readily as they do events at the Thomas & Mack Center (arena football, college basketball, etc.) now.

[rams80]

The casinos dont want pro sports teams in Las Vegas if it means they have to give up action in the sports books and the NBA want's no betting on the league at all if a team moves to Las Vegas.

Also the casinos wouldnt buy up every ticket for high rollers, sure they would buy luxury boxes for big time players but they gain nothing in shipping a normal high roller off to a game for 3 or 4 hours(counting travel time). Casino's comp show tickets because they are inside the hotel and the player only spends around 80 to 90 minutes at the show.

Au contraire. The presence of an NBA franchise makes Vegas look more "major league" in the eyes of casino operators who've been quoted on the subject, and they believe it would enhance tourism. Look at the NASCAR race that was placed there - if you've ever been in Las Vegas the week that race is run, you wish you weren't; its redneck city, and an NBA franchise would have a similar effect albeit spread out over the course of months.

And you don't think casinos would buy up seats? Wow, you don't know comps. Casinos would comp a pair of NBA tickets for the Las Vegas 21's (or whatever) just as readily as they do events at the Thomas & Mack Center (arena football, college basketball, etc.) now.

Given the woeful attendance of the Gladiators, I'm not sure how much comping is actually done.

[cyandlux]

I still think Vegas is the best place....they could build an arena in less than 6 months, I think they have some plans for one, that was to lure the NHL, near downtown and the spagetti bowl. That said, the new owners are from OKC and the Hornets did very well there, Id be more than surprised if thats not where they end up.

I'm sorry, it takes more than 6 months to build a modern, major league arena. So no, it would not happen this year.

6 months in Vegas is a long time for a building like an arena. The Wynn was done in a little over a year. They dont have noise ordanances, they can work all night, and do.

[rams80]

I still think Vegas is the best place....they could build an arena in less than 6 months, I think they have some plans for one, that was to lure the NHL, near downtown and the spagetti bowl. That said, the new owners are from OKC and the Hornets did very well there, Id be more than surprised if thats not where they end up.

I'm sorry, it takes more than 6 months to build a modern, major league arena. So no, it would not happen this year.

6 months in Vegas is a long time for a building like an arena. The Wynn was done in a little over a year. They dont have noise ordanances, they can work all night, and do.

Well, lessee, first you have to acquire the land and clear it (cause you ain't putting the arena in the boonies). Figure, at the fastest from go, 6 weeks (most probably going to the bureaucratic niceties). That leaves 4 1/2 months before the start of the season. I'm going to say 8-10 months with round-the-clock labor at whatever overtime, because it still takes time to build a 15,000 seat arena complete with luxury boxes, and make sure everything is wired, all the plumbing works, and everything is nice and comfy.

Bottom line...it ain't happening in 6 months.

[Mac the Knife]

The casinos dont want pro sports teams in Las Vegas if it means they have to give up action in the sports books and the NBA want's no betting on the league at all if a team moves to Las Vegas.

Also the casinos wouldnt buy up every ticket for high rollers, sure they would buy luxury boxes for big time players but they gain nothing in shipping a normal high roller off to a game for 3 or 4 hours(counting travel time). Casino's comp show tickets because they are inside the hotel and the player only spends around 80 to 90 minutes at the show.

Au contraire. The presence of an NBA franchise makes Vegas look more "major league" in the eyes of casino operators who've been quoted on the subject, and they believe it would enhance tourism. Look at the NASCAR race that was placed there - if you've ever been in Las Vegas the week that race is run, you wish you weren't; its redneck city, and an NBA franchise would have a similar effect albeit spread out over the course of months.

And you don't think casinos would buy up seats? Wow, you don't know comps. Casinos would comp a pair of NBA tickets for the Las Vegas 21's (or whatever) just as readily as they do events at the Thomas & Mack Center (arena football, college basketball, etc.) now.

Given the woeful attendance of the Gladiators, I'm not sure how much comping is actually done.

C'mon. Comparing the AFL vs. the NBA in this instance is like comparing a Big Mac and a shake to a sirloin and a creme brulee at Blackstone's.

[Luigi74]

The casinos dont want pro sports teams in Las Vegas if it means they have to give up action in the sports books and the NBA want's no betting on the league at all if a team moves to Las Vegas.

Also the casinos wouldnt buy up every ticket for high rollers, sure they would buy luxury boxes for big time players but they gain nothing in shipping a normal high roller off to a game for 3 or 4 hours(counting travel time). Casino's comp show tickets because they are inside the hotel and the player only spends around 80 to 90 minutes at the show.

Au contraire. The presence of an NBA franchise makes Vegas look more "major league" in the eyes of casino operators who've been quoted on the subject, and they believe it would enhance tourism. Look at the NASCAR race that was placed there - if you've ever been in Las Vegas the week that race is run, you wish you weren't; its redneck city, and an NBA franchise would have a similar effect albeit spread out over the course of months.

And you don't think casinos would buy up seats? Wow, you don't know comps. Casinos would comp a pair of NBA tickets for the Las Vegas 21's (or whatever) just as readily as they do events at the Thomas & Mack Center (arena football, college basketball, etc.) now.

Las Vegas doesnt need the NBA or any sports team to help bring in tourists and a visiting NBA team would have a few hundred fans follow them to town the NBA isnt NASCAR or College Football.

I have been going to Las Vegas for years and was comped alot of things but I was never offered or given AFL or UNLV tix.

[mania]

I think, size aside, OKC should get the Sonics, if they move.

They showed, when hosting the Hornets, and doing them better, fan and attendance wise, than New Orleans has period, that they can support and handle an NBA team.

Also, because it's only about 70 minutes up the turnpike away, Tulsa should be included in the OKC regional population.

[Ez Street]

In that case KC's are should include Lawrence (70,000) 30 minutes away and Topeka (125,000) 60 minutes away.

[leedsunited]

The casinos dont want pro sports teams in Las Vegas if it means they have to give up action in the sports books and the NBA want's no betting on the league at all if a team moves to Las Vegas.

Also the casinos wouldnt buy up every ticket for high rollers, sure they would buy luxury boxes for big time players but they gain nothing in shipping a normal high roller off to a game for 3 or 4 hours(counting travel time). Casino's comp show tickets because they are inside the hotel and the player only spends around 80 to 90 minutes at the show.

Au contraire. The presence of an NBA franchise makes Vegas look more "major league" in the eyes of casino operators who've been quoted on the subject, and they believe it would enhance tourism. Look at the NASCAR race that was placed there - if you've ever been in Las Vegas the week that race is run, you wish you weren't; its redneck city, and an NBA franchise would have a similar effect albeit spread out over the course of months.

And you don't think casinos would buy up seats? Wow, you don't know comps. Casinos would comp a pair of NBA tickets for the Las Vegas 21's (or whatever) just as readily as they do events at the Thomas & Mack Center (arena football, college basketball, etc.) now.

Las Vegas doesnt need the NBA or any sports team to help bring in tourists and a visiting NBA team would have a few hundred fans follow them to town the NBA isnt NASCAR or College Football.

I have been going to Las Vegas for years and was comped alot of things but I was never offered or given AFL or UNLV tix.

That's for damn sure. And the casinos don't need outside attractions that keep the paying customers out of the casino floor, gambling away...

[koizim]

The casinos dont want pro sports teams in Las Vegas if it means they have to give up action in the sports books and the NBA want's no betting on the league at all if a team moves to Las Vegas.

Also the casinos wouldnt buy up every ticket for high rollers, sure they would buy luxury boxes for big time players but they gain nothing in shipping a normal high roller off to a game for 3 or 4 hours(counting travel time). Casino's comp show tickets because they are inside the hotel and the player only spends around 80 to 90 minutes at the show.

Au contraire. The presence of an NBA franchise makes Vegas look more "major league" in the eyes of casino operators who've been quoted on the subject, and they believe it would enhance tourism. Look at the NASCAR race that was placed there - if you've ever been in Las Vegas the week that race is run, you wish you weren't; its redneck city, and an NBA franchise would have a similar effect albeit spread out over the course of months.

And you don't think casinos would buy up seats? Wow, you don't know comps. Casinos would comp a pair of NBA tickets for the Las Vegas 21's (or whatever) just as readily as they do events at the Thomas & Mack Center (arena football, college basketball, etc.) now.

Las Vegas doesnt need the NBA or any sports team to help bring in tourists and a visiting NBA team would have a few hundred fans follow them to town the NBA isnt NASCAR or College Football.

I have been going to Las Vegas for years and was comped alot of things but I was never offered or given AFL or UNLV tix.

You weren't comped b/c UNLV and the AFL team aren't owned by the casino and neither are their arenas. If the Sonics were to play in an arena owned by a casino, like the CT Suns WNBA team, you would get comped for tix. Honestly, I think a pro sports team is exactly what Vegas is missing.

[mania]

In that case KC's are should include Lawrence (70,000) 30 minutes away and Topeka (125,000) 60 minutes away.

I'd have no issue with that at all.

But Tulsa's another million in the region for OKC... and when I lived there, people definitely went down for the games, they were all shown on the local stations, etc.

[Luigi74]

You weren't comped b/c UNLV and the AFL team aren't owned by the casino and neither are their arenas. If the Sonics were to play in an arena owned by a casino, like the CT Suns WNBA team, you would get comped for tix. Honestly, I think a pro sports team is exactly what Vegas is missing.

I think that is the Maaloof's plan if they ever move the Kings to LV, but they already have NBA betting action off the boards in their sports book's so it would be a big hit for them. The big time casino owners MGM/Mirage(MGM Grand, Bellagio, Mandalay Bay and many others) and Harrah's Entertainment(Caesars Palace, Ballys, Rio and many others) don't want to give up NBA bets in the sports book which is Stern's demand for a team in LV, which is why they will never get a team.

[cyandlux]

I go to a UNLV game a year around Christmas because my parents still live there and UNLV would rather have it empty than comped, we saw TT Corpus Christi and the place was a third full if that. They dont want people thinking they can get it for free. I think concerts at the T&M are comped though.