Which team will be the next to move?

[Viper]

With the Sonics now on their way to OKC, ESPN.com has compiled a prediction list of the 10 major pro sports league teams most likely to move in the near future, plus a few less-than-honorable mentions.

They also have a poll page where you can make your own rankings, though unfortunately you only have the top ten teams to choose from (not the less-than-honorables). Here's how I ranked 'em:

1) Minnesota Vikings

2) New Orleans Hornets

3) Buffalo Bills

4) Florida Panthers

5) Nashville Predators

6) Tampa Bay Rays

7) Memphis Grizzlies

8) Sacramento Kings

9) Atlanta Thrashers

10) Oakland A's

If the Jacksonville Jaguars were one of the options I would have ranked them ahead of the Thrashers and A's.

[rams80]

This list is incomplete without the Rams.

[mantleisthebest7]

The A's may as well start packing. I've heard possiblitites of them moving for almost 4-5 years now. Sure, the destinations in mind have changed (Las Vegas, Portland, San Jose) but i'm pretty sure in some time they'll be on there way somewhere. I'm betting by 2013 the A's will call San Jose home.

[TFoA]

The A's may as well start packing. I've heard possiblitites of them moving for almost 4-5 years now. Sure, the destinations in mind have changed (Las Vegas, Portland, San Jose) but i'm pretty sure in some time they'll be on there way somewhere. I'm betting by 2013 the A's will call San Jose home.

Agreed. It's not if but when with the A's.

And I guess I could see the Thrashers leaving too, unless they get some decent owners in. If the city loses the team, the blame is squarely on the owners and the front office. They've mismanaged that team in the worst way.

[Breakwood]

I can't see any team ready to relocate like the Bills are. I mean they're already scheduled to play games in the city they'd most likely move to.

Note: I'm not saying I want them to move, but it looks inevitable.

[Seadragon76]

The Hornets and/or Bills are the highest on my list because they have either played at another location or are going to (The Hornets spent two years in OKC while the Bills are planning to have a game in Toronto).

That, in my mind, is a very sure sign that they'll move within the next 5-10 years.

[dfwabel]

If the A's move to Fremont like their owner (and co-owner of the Quakes) Lew Wollf wants, I would call it a change of stadium, not a true move as it is the same media market. When the Sharks started, they played in the Cow Palace which was closer to San Francisco than San Jose, but most would not consider that a move either. Using the rules from the OP, the 49ers will move to Santa Clara before any Bay Area team, even though the city wont have a referendum until 2009. Plus they may still be able to get help from the NFL, which the others leagues do not do.

Possible Senate hearing on public stadium financing

Moves are difficult now with the economies of major cities. Regardless of what they call it in Washington, This is not an "economic slowdown", this is a recession. Cities have less money from sales tax, therefore bonds are too hard to secure. The current construction in IND, DAL, the Nets, and new Meadowlands really indicate that. When you add tourism taxes are dramatically impacted in an economic slowdown, which cities can pony up? Has anybody seen how much Las Vegas is begging for us to go there since their foot traffic is dramatically down? (I receive at least 12 emails from Vegas casinos each week). If you enjoy sport and want to read about financing, look at www.fieldofschemes.com once in a while.

[PittsburghSucks]

I'm saying that the Rams will be the next team to move.

They'll return to L.A. were they belong.

[Gregmond]

The Hornets and/or Bills are the highest on my list because they have either played at another location or are going to (The Hornets spent two years in OKC while the Bills are planning to have a game in Toronto).

That, in my mind, is a very sure sign that they'll move within the next 5-10 years.

I don't see the Bills moving across the border on a permanent basis. The exchange rate for starters is not always going to be so friendly ... and running an NFL franchise must run into the squillions. I cannot for the life of me understand why there is no NFL team in Los Angeles ... surely someone (San Diego maybe?) is going to pack up and move there before there are any other moves in the NFL.

I voted for the southern NHL clubs in this survery ... would love to see some of them move back up north and harness the natural support from winter-cities. I just can't see how having ice hockey played in Phoenix or Florida resonates with the paying public. I'm willing to make an exception for LA based on numbers only ... you're going to find enough fans of anything in the second-largest metro area!

As for hoops, it just seems like there are 2-3 too many clubs (same can probably be said for the NHL). Frnachises like the Bobcats, Grizz and Hornets (and maybe the Kings too) seem forever destined to bounce around these minor-league cities without a great deal of success ... hopefully the Bees can prove me wrong! Move the Grizz to Seattle (close to where they started), Kings to Vegas, Bobcats/Bucks/Hornets to Europe!

Baseball: Probably not familiar enough to comment, but can see the problem for the A's playing in the shadow of the Giants, but the Raiders do okay don't they?

Cheers,

Greg

[Viper]

This list is incomplete without the Rams.

Who, oddly, didn't even make the less-than-honorable mention list.

And speaking of once-and-possibly-future Los Angeles NFL teams, Al Davis has never exactly struck me as 100% committed to Oakland. Not that I can blame him, with his team sharing the same aging facility as the aforementioned A's. (BTW, if the place is called "The Black Hole" for Raiders games, what is it called for Athletics games? The "A-Hole?")

[DaytonBlue]

The Grizz have a lease which would be quite expensive to get out of, perhaps over $100 million right now. Of course, as time goes by the amount drops, so who knows. As someone in Memphis, I hope they stay here.

[dfwabel]

This list is incomplete without the Rams.

Who, oddly, didn't even make the less-than-honorable mention list.

And speaking of once-and-possibly-future Los Angeles NFL teams, Al Davis has never exactly struck me as 100% committed to Oakland. Not that I can blame him, with his team sharing the same aging facility as the aforementioned A's. (BTW, if the place is called "The Black Hole" for Raiders games, what is it called for Athletics games? The "A-Hole?")

I will assume that you have never been there, but overall, I would just call it "a hole". And this is coming from a man who bought Raider Club Seats on the "new-er" East Side. It is an NFL bargain at $1,600/year. I just consider that a cover charge over the season. By looking from your location of MSP, HHH Metrodome aint much better from my last two visits there. I understand it's a air-filled roof, but to only allow fans to exit through the rotating doors was a bit much.

In the current economic conditions, I don't know of an outdoor sport which a city can cough up the money for. NBA and NHL are different , but still may have to hear from Sen. Specter (Back and to the left). And also think about that Memphis has built TWO large capacity facilities since 1991, and they may lose a team. the market could draw concerts, but not such teams in a "one team town". The tigers probably love Fed Ex forum, but I will assume that the Grizzlies still get the majority of suite and club seat income. but if they are doing this...Grizzlies Tout the Economic Stimulus Plan for Sales... then they don't know how to operate a franchise.

[Gary]

The Hornets and/or Bills are the highest on my list because they have either played at another location or are going to (The Hornets spent two years in OKC while the Bills are planning to have a game in Toronto).

That, in my mind, is a very sure sign that they'll move within the next 5-10 years.

I don't see the Bills moving across the border on a permanent basis. The exchange rate for starters is not always going to be so friendly ... and running an NFL franchise must run into the squillions. I cannot for the life of me understand why there is no NFL team in Los Angeles ... surely someone (San Diego maybe?) is going to pack up and move there before there are any other moves in the NFL.

I voted for the southern NHL clubs in this survery ... would love to see some of them move back up north and harness the natural support from winter-cities. I just can't see how having ice hockey played in Phoenix or Florida resonates with the paying public. I'm willing to make an exception for LA based on numbers only ... you're going to find enough fans of anything in the second-largest metro area!

As for hoops, it just seems like there are 2-3 too many clubs (same can probably be said for the NHL). Frnachises like the Bobcats, Grizz and Hornets (and maybe the Kings too) seem forever destined to bounce around these minor-league cities without a great deal of success ... hopefully the Bees can prove me wrong! Move the Grizz to Seattle (close to where they started), Kings to Vegas, Bobcats/Bucks/Hornets to Europe!

Baseball: Probably not familiar enough to comment, but can see the problem for the A's playing in the shadow of the Giants, but the Raiders do okay don't they?

Cheers,

Greg

highly unlikely as the Coyotes have a 30 year lease at a almost brand new arena, plus it would cost around $750 million just to break their lease. Not going to happen

[jkrdevil]

As mentioned in the article the Panthers have a long lease and the NHL has a policy of not breaking leases so they aren't going anywhere. As for the Thrashers they owned by the same group that owns the arena there which helps them. I know there is a dispute but that has nothing to do with the Thrashers and has to do with the other team the Hawks. I guess it depends on who prevails but I can't see them moving nor the NHL allowing the loss of a big market like Atlanta.

The Predators could be a target to move in couple of years but it looks like Kansas City is now out of the question because of the recent events.

I would say the most likely to move on that List are the Bills. Old owner who's family will probably sell the team when he dies, in a dwindling market, and already has a new suitor in Toronto.

[robnshell18]

Maybe I'm crazy, but how have the Marlins or Rays been left out of the top (or bottom) 10? The Rays may be doing alright now, but they play in a dump that's not likely to be replaced anytime soon and their success may be a fluke. If they can keep a crowd for more than one whole season, maybe they've got legs, but they NEED to get out of that hole they play in now--that place was obsolete when they moved in. But the Marlins have two World Series rings and 1) are JUST NOW getting a stadium deal and 2) still don't have a solid following in South Florida. Their ownership is a joke, the stadium is a pit, and not even a third ring are guarantees that they can keep more than several hundred people from showing up to a game. Move the Marlins--anywhere but Miami would be good.

[jkrdevil]

Maybe I'm crazy, but how have the Marlins or Rays been left out of the top (or bottom) 10? The Rays may be doing alright now, but they play in a dump that's not likely to be replaced anytime soon and their success may be a fluke. If they can keep a crowd for more than one whole season, maybe they've got legs, but they NEED to get out of that hole they play in now--that place was obsolete when they moved in. But the Marlins have two World Series rings and 1) are JUST NOW getting a stadium deal and 2) still don't have a solid following in South Florida. Their ownership is a joke, the stadium is a pit, and not even a third ring are guarantees that they can keep more than several hundred people from showing up to a game. Move the Marlins--anywhere but Miami would be good.

The Rays I believe have a long-term lease with the city that would be hard to break requiring them to stay in St. Petersburgh. That's why there proposed stadium to have built was in St. Pete. and not the better location of Tampa.

[HedleyLamarr]

As for the Thrashers they owned by the same group that owns the arena there which helps them. I know there is a dispute but that has nothing to do with the Thrashers and has to do with the other team the Hawks. I guess it depends on who prevails but I can't see them moving nor the NHL allowing the loss of a big market like Atlanta.

Believe me, the Thrashers are very much included, and affected, in the ownership dispute.

[STL FANATIC]

The Rams aren't going anywhere for another 7 years at the least.

So while they might be a possibility for moving, I tend to doubt they'd be the next team to move.

I think St. Louis will do what it takes to keep them, but that has little to do with anything here since moving would be a legit possibility. The part that does matter is that it can't and won't happen any time soon.

[infrared41]

Maybe I'm crazy, but how have the Marlins or Rays been left out of the top (or bottom) 10? The Rays may be doing alright now, but they play in a dump that's not likely to be replaced anytime soon and their success may be a fluke. If they can keep a crowd for more than one whole season, maybe they've got legs, but they NEED to get out of that hole they play in now--that place was obsolete when they moved in. But the Marlins have two World Series rings and 1) are JUST NOW getting a stadium deal and 2) still don't have a solid following in South Florida. Their ownership is a joke, the stadium is a pit, and not even a third ring are guarantees that they can keep more than several hundred people from showing up to a game. Move the Marlins--anywhere but Miami would be good.

Good points but I don't think The Rays success is a fluke. Talent wise The Rays are set up for a while. They'd be leading any other division by 10 games. I think they'll put a couple good years together and try for the new stadium again after people are convinced that ownership finally has it's act together. A new stadium won't change a thing for the Marlins. Tampa/St. Pete isn't a good baseball market but it looks like Boston or Chicago when you compare it to Miami.

[Corvus]

I'd sort of love to see the Grizzlies move to Seattle.