Anaheim Kings?

[CubsFanBudMan]

The Clippers aren't moving. The Jets and Giants share a stadium in New Jersey. Why can't the Lakers and Clippers share one in L.A.?

People have argued here -- mostly in Angels threads -- that Anaheim is a separate market. This will be a solid test case to see if all 3 can survive, especially with 2 NFL teams on the way.

Some are failing to realize that the other options aren't really options for the Maloofs. No new arena in Vegas or Seattle, just like Sacramento. Kansas City has no owner (or lender). Anaheim is clearly not the first choice for the Maloofs or the NBA. But a relatively new arena suddenly is ok in this climate.

Also, being the third NBA option in a market the size of L.A. may be a better financial situation than being the third overall option in a smaller market like Kansas City. We have this notion that two teams in a market is the maximum allowed, but it wasn't long ago that a study came out that said the best thing to slow down the Yankees was to put a third MLB team in the market.

Maybe we are about to see an era of additional teams in places like L.A., New York and Chicago where there are more people to support them and a brighter media spotlight. Can't say I'd be a fan, but the Grizzlies were rumored for Chicago before going to Memphis and the area could certainly support a second NFL team (and could use the roofed, Super Bowl-sized stadium to go with it).

But I don't want to get off on a rant here...

[Sport]

Isn't the Honda Center kinda like the New Comiskey of arenas? It's not 20 years old, but it was built before all of the trends and amenities of modern arenas developed. (Note: I say this without having ever been to Anaheim or their arena).

[rams80]

The Clippers aren't moving. The Jets and Giants share a stadium in New Jersey. Why can't the Lakers and Clippers share one in L.A.?

People have argued here -- mostly in Angels threads -- that Anaheim is a separate market. This will be a solid test case to see if all 3 can survive, especially with 2 NFL teams on the way.

Some are failing to realize that the other options aren't really options for the Maloofs. No new arena in Vegas or Seattle, just like Sacramento. Kansas City has no owner (or lender). Anaheim is clearly not the first choice for the Maloofs or the NBA. But a relatively new arena suddenly is ok in this climate.

Also, being the third NBA option in a market the size of L.A. may be a better financial situation than being the third overall option in a smaller market like Kansas City. We have this notion that two teams in a market is the maximum allowed, but it wasn't long ago that a study came out that said the best thing to slow down the Yankees was to put a third MLB team in the market.

Maybe we are about to see an era of additional teams in places like L.A., New York and Chicago where there are more people to support them and a brighter media spotlight. Can't say I'd be a fan, but the Grizzlies were rumored for Chicago before going to Memphis and the area could certainly support a second NFL team (and could use the roofed, Super Bowl-sized stadium to go with it).

But I don't want to get off on a rant here...

I don't think its a given the Kings would be a third overall option in Kansas City. The Royals do blow incredible chunks.

[alwaysr92]

Isn't the Honda Center kinda like the New Comiskey of arenas? It's not 20 years old, but it was built before all of the trends and amenities of modern arenas developed. (Note: I say this without having ever been to Anaheim or their arena).

Ya, its not the nicest arena in the world, but its beyond serviceable, I've been to Honda Center many times and its still a pretty nice arena. Also, having been to both Arco and Honda, I can def say that Honda is about 1000 times better than Arco haha.

[TheGrimReaper]

Isn't the Honda Center kinda like the New Comiskey of arenas? It's not 20 years old, but it was built before all of the trends and amenities of modern arenas developed. (Note: I say this without having ever been to Anaheim or their arena).

It's an ok arena, not great, but still pretty good. It's a little small though.

The Ducks might need a new arena in 10-15 years.

[dfwabel]

Isn't the Honda Center kinda like the New Comiskey of arenas? It's not 20 years old, but it was built before all of the trends and amenities of modern arenas developed. (Note: I say this without having ever been to Anaheim or their arena).

It's an ok arena, not great, but still pretty good. The Ducks might need a new arena in 15 years or so.

It is the same as the others which were build from 1993-1997, regardless of architect.

[bosrs1]

Isn't the Honda Center kinda like the New Comiskey of arenas? It's not 20 years old, but it was built before all of the trends and amenities of modern arenas developed. (Note: I say this without having ever been to Anaheim or their arena).

Honda Center isn't a crown jewel, but it is a nice arena with most of the amenities you'd expect in a modern arena including about 80 suites, club seating, etc... in the vein of similar arenas like the HP Pavilion, etc...

[McCall]

The Clippers aren't moving. The Jets and Giants share a stadium in New Jersey. Why can't the Lakers and Clippers share one in L.A.?

Because the Giants and Jets play a combined 16 games there, in front of crowds almost 4 times the size of an NBA crowd. I think 2 stadiums would be nice, but it also makes sense to share a billion dollar stadium when each only play 8 home games.

The Clippers and Lakers each play 41 home games in front of less people. They don't need to combine to make it worth having that arena there like the Giants and Jets do. Plus being in the same division they each really play 43 home games. Yeah it works, but you can also make the argument that seperate arenas is a practical choice.

[IceCap]

The Clippers aren't moving. The Jets and Giants share a stadium in New Jersey. Why can't the Lakers and Clippers share one in L.A.?

Because the Giants and Jets play a combined 16 games there, in front of crowds almost 4 times the size of an NBA crowd. I think 2 stadiums would be nice, but it also makes sense to share a billion dollar stadium when each only play 8 home games.

The Clippers and Lakers each play 41 home games in front of less people. They don't need to combine to make it worth having that arena there like the Giants and Jets do. Plus being in the same division they each really play 43 home games. Yeah it works, but you can also make the argument that seperate arenas is a practical choice.

Not really. Why would the Clippers give up their sweetheart lease that allows them to turn a profit, despite being a distant number two in the market?

[McCall]

The Clippers aren't moving. The Jets and Giants share a stadium in New Jersey. Why can't the Lakers and Clippers share one in L.A.?

Because the Giants and Jets play a combined 16 games there, in front of crowds almost 4 times the size of an NBA crowd. I think 2 stadiums would be nice, but it also makes sense to share a billion dollar stadium when each only play 8 home games.

The Clippers and Lakers each play 41 home games in front of less people. They don't need to combine to make it worth having that arena there like the Giants and Jets do. Plus being in the same division they each really play 43 home games. Yeah it works, but you can also make the argument that seperate arenas is a practical choice.

Not really. Why would the Clippers give up their sweetheart lease that allows them to turn a profit, despite being a distant number two in the market?

I'm not saying they should. I was simply comparing them to the Giants/Jets situation. THEY make sense sharing. The LA situation doesn't. But the Clippers are making bank so why change now, is my point.

[ninersdd]

Kings request an extension of the March 1 deadline to relocate

[CubsFanBudMan]

McCall, lots of NHL and NBA teams share arenas and they each play 41 home games. Should those teams have separate arenas because of the amount of games they play? I guess I'm not getting your point. If teams can share I see no problem with it, whether it's two NFL, one NFL and one MLS, one NBA and one NHL, or two NBA and one NHL. Better than having taxpayers have to pay for two. It seems to me that if the Staples Center can get 123 dates filled before even booking a concert, that's a good thing.

I find it odd that people think the Clippers need their own place but these other situations are all just fine.

[McCall]

McCall, lots of NHL and NBA teams share arenas and they each play 41 home games. Should those teams have separate arenas because of the amount of games they play? I guess I'm not getting your point. If teams can share I see no problem with it, whether it's two NFL, one NFL and one MLS, one NBA and one NHL, or two NBA and one NHL. Better than having taxpayers have to pay for two. It seems to me that if the Staples Center can get 123 dates filled before even booking a concert, that's a good thing.

I find it odd that people think the Clippers need their own place but these other situations are all just fine.

2 Teams in the same sport is a difference. Usually when you have 2 teams from one metro area in one sport, it's to represent different parts of the area, i.e. the Cubs northside, White Sox south.

[CubsFanBudMan]

Well, that was the comparison I started with, but you said the NFL is okay. Some here have proposed a second NHL team in Toronto, even in the Air Canada Centre. That would make sense to me if they had planned for it with a third home locker room, etc., in the beginning.

As far as territorial lines, the Cubs-Sox you cited is probably the clearest example that I'm aware of, with L.A.-Anaheim being another. So really, as much as I'm sure Orange County would welcome the Clippers, they'd probably rather have a team of their own. And since the Clippers aren't moving anyway and have no reason to -- in my opinion and theirs -- this is all moot.

Of course, I grew up in an era where NFL and MLB teams shared stadiums, so I guess teams that play the same sport with the same size field (or court, in this case) sharing an arena just makes a lot of sense to me, regardless of location.

[bosrs1]

Kings request an extension of the March 1 deadline to relocate

Now we have to wait a month and a half to figure out what they're really up to (or until a leak happens). But because giving the Maloofs to that meeting will not give Taylor/ICON time to finish their report in Sac, I can't say it looks good. They're probably just getting some extra time to finish ironing out details with Anaheim and to avoid lame duck games in Sac.

[FiddySicks]

Isn't the Honda Center kinda like the New Comiskey of arenas? It's not 20 years old, but it was built before all of the trends and amenities of modern arenas developed. (Note: I say this without having ever been to Anaheim or their arena).

Ya, its not the nicest arena in the world, but its beyond serviceable, I've been to Honda Center many times and its still a pretty nice arena. Also, having been to both Arco and Honda, I can def say that Honda is about 1000 times better than Arco haha.

I agree. Honda Center isn't on the level that Consol Energy Center is but it's still a nice, new looking building. It as well can't hold a candle to the atmosphere you see at HP Pavilion, but it's still a decent place to watch a hockey game. Only thing that is a negative is that it was built a bit bigger than a lot of hockey arenas I've seen so it feels a bit cavernous, even when it's packed. It's no worse than Staples Center though, but it's not right on top of the ice like HP Pavilion is. Honda Center was built as a multi purpose arena and it really has that feel as well. When you walk in you kinda get that vibe that you're doing something like going to a Celine Dion concert, but instead are treated to a hockey game. Still though, it's worlds better than Arco Gymnasium. Actually, most junior college gyms are nicer than Arco.

[tigerslionspistonshabs]

Really? The city of Sacramento will never have another pro-sports team. Why wouldn't they pull out all the stops to keep the team in town?

Also, according to the wikipedia page (which I know is all 100% legit...), Montreal was/is being considered as a possible relocation spot...

With all the recent talk (by Stern himself) of Vancouver being a possible destination, why haven't the Kings looked into it? It's a growing, diverse market.

But I do agree that Anaheim would be better in the long run, but I hope that they stay in SacTown.

[ninersdd]

One thing that I wonder is that since the Lakers have such a dominant footprint in Southern California for a long time, would people in the OC instantly support a new team there?

[wildwing64]

One thing that I wonder is that since the Lakers have such a dominant footprint in Southern California for a long time, would people in the OC instantly support a new team there?

The Lakers play at the Honda Center once per season, I think (which I only know thanks to The Element, via the Ducks video player) and they have fans there too. Again, I don't follow the NBA and I've never actually been to So Cal, but I know well enough that the Lakers are, pretty much, So Cal's team.

Whether OC residents warm to their new team is another matter. Will they root for them because they represent Orange County rather than LA? Will they appreciate the fact that they have a team? Or will they simply shrug them off because they are already Lakers fans? Who knows.

[BrianVlietDesign]

One thing that I wonder is that since the Lakers have such a dominant footprint in Southern California for a long time, would people in the OC instantly support a new team there?

The Lakers play at the Honda Center once per season, I think (which I only know thanks to The Element, via the Ducks video player) and they have fans there too. Again, I don't follow the NBA and I've never actually been to So Cal, but I know well enough that the Lakers are, pretty much, So Cal's team.

Whether OC residents warm to their new team is another matter. Will they root for them because they represent Orange County rather than LA? Will they appreciate the fact that they have a team? Or will they simply shrug them off because they are already Lakers fans? Who knows.

Overall, I think the fans will warm up to it. You're always going to have fans from Anaheim who have been rooting for the Lakers for decades. Hell, even the Clippers got love in Anaheim. But, I think what should be taken into consideration is when the Lakers play those games in Anaheim, I'm sure there are people who are die-hard Lakers fans, as well as people that are there just to see some NBA action.

Fans from Anaheim will support the team because they represent Anaheim. Much like the Ducks and Kings have their own rivalry, the NBA Kings and the Lakers, as well as Clippers to an extent, will create new rivalries. Orange County has over 3 million people to support it. That county is so big that I don't see too much of an issue with having three teams between Los Angeles and the OC. I think it will work itself out in the end and prove to be something good for the city of Anaheim.