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Empty Seats Threaten NBA's Future in New Orleans

Submitted by Martin, Nov 23, 2007 09:49

As someone who lives in the Pacific NW watching the saga of the Seattle Sonics unfold, can't help but wonder why Shinn doesn't just sell at least majority ownership. Best Scenerio, IMO: the current owners of the Sonics, Clay Bennett and his cohorts, sell the team to local Seattle investors who WANT the team to remain in Seattle(given their 40 year history, understandable), then, meet and discuss with George Shinn about purchasing majority or ALL of the team's interest. Shinn has demonstrated, at times, lack of interest and/or incompetency regarding ownership of a major franchise. He made quite a few enemies in his Charlotte days. The Franchise, since moving to New Orleans, hasn't really produced a winning season. And while the team is off to a terrific start (9-4, I believe?) in comparison to previous seasons, they seem to not have any real support from N.O. citizens. Perhaps the ppl of N.O. do not have any real interest in the NBA, or cannot support one. Enter, then, Oklahoma City, where the Hornets THRIVED with fan support for 2 seasons following the Katrina disaster. THAT was a brilliant move, and demonstrated how yet another small market can have devoted fanship. This proposal-Bennett and Co. selling the Sonics back to local Seattlites, then pursuing the Hornets in their bid to bring the NBA to Oklahoma, would be a win-win for all. Perhaps Shinn could keep minor ownership, if he so chose to. The Sonics are mired in a local/political nightmare scenario in the Seattle area that could only serve as another black eye for the NBA, something the NBA doesn't need. This course of action cannot and WILL NOT happen overnight, in a few days, weeks, or maybe even months. But by simply considering this, then pragmatically, it makes the most sense for all involved, and perhaps ultimately, the NBA. Thank you.

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Other reader comments on this article

Comment	By	Date
I guess that is the most positive way too look at it. [MORE]	Marty	Nov 26, 2007 22:36
They could always move to Salt Lake City. Oh never mind we already know that City cant suport a team. [MORE]	cuncabo	Nov 26, 2007 16:07
At least we average at turnstile count in the 5 digits. Much more than good ol New Orleans. [MORE]	Alex	Nov 26, 2007 13:00
they only averaged a little over 13K. All that crap about selling out every game was crap. http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=article.main&articleId=55421 [MORE]	Mo	Nov 24, 2007 21:25
You're right the actual butts in the seat average the second year in Oklahoma was somewhere between 13k and 14k.... [MORE]	Jon	Nov 24, 2007 22:44
First of all, the Hornets were already guaranteed to be going back to OKC so I'm surprised that they even... [MORE]	Anti HR.com guy	Nov 25, 2007 16:46
At the beginning of the last post, I meant to say that they were "guaranteed of going back to NEW... [MORE]	Anti HR.com guy	Nov 25, 2007 16:55
I'm tired of reading about OKC's "propped attendance" and "papering the house". The numbers being quoted are gate receipts, and... [MORE]	hoodoo	Dec 14, 2007 13:42
Give it up Okie. Hornets are not your team! Stop whining about them. [MORE]	Mo	Nov 24, 2007 20:28
I have no vested interest in seeing OKC get a team. It's just that it's so painfully obvious that it's... [MORE]	Anti HR.com guy	Nov 25, 2007 16:38
will reap what you sow. [MORE]	Mo	Nov 24, 2007 20:24
Don and Mo you are correct. NBA attendance is down but it seems New Orleans is the worst. Not to bag... [MORE]	MarkS	Nov 23, 2007 20:30
Sometimes what appears to be the right thing isn't.. Keeping the Hornets in Oklahoma City and promising New Orleans an... [MORE]	hoodoo	Nov 23, 2007 19:29
Let's give these people a chance. Half the media wants to relocate the Hornets out of New Orleans and we... [MORE]	Not Surprised	Nov 23, 2007 14:18
hollinger needs to stick to forecasting PERs. he just wants a rise out of us. [MORE]	robert	Nov 23, 2007 15:32
How much homework did you do? The New Orleans Arena holds 19K? News to me. Actually you are wrong. I could... [MORE]	Chris	Nov 23, 2007 14:02
Wow anybody who questions the ability of New Orleans to support this team obviously has no idea what they are... [MORE]	Jon	Nov 23, 2007 22:10
You can quote all those other single game low attendance games elsewhere but the Hornets only had 8,302 at a... [MORE]	Benjamin	Nov 24, 2007 01:27
I am so happy about this, the NO fans were so down on OKC and in such a hurry to... [MORE]	fernando	Nov 24, 2007 12:21
Chris Maybe you should do your own homework. No matter how much you defend your pathetic market, you won't be able... [MORE]	Anti HR.com guy	Nov 24, 2007 18:23
I was once a huge Charlotte Hornets fan. Up until George Shinn was accused of raping someone, and then tried... [MORE]	Jason Warren	Nov 25, 2007 15:24
No Don, he can't talk about how attendance is down all over because he's not watching any other team. Everyone... [MORE]	Mo	Nov 23, 2007 13:17
There are no quotes from anyone of importance in the league in this article that says the NBA's future in... [MORE]	Mo	Nov 23, 2007 13:07
As someone who lives in the Pacific NW watching the saga of the Seattle Sonics unfold, can't help but wonder...	Martin	Nov 23, 2007 09:49
Shinn will never sell majority controlling interest in the Hornets. That's a big reason why they are still in New... [MORE]	Anti HR.com guy	Nov 25, 2007 16:53
Your article is fine, but I think you should have mentioned that it appears that attendance is down in the... [MORE]	Don	Nov 23, 2007 01:22
And like the other poster mentioned, attendance is up in Atlanta, Denver, Orlando, Houston, Portland, and Golden State as well... [MORE]	Joe	Nov 24, 2007 18:29
Look at the whole picture here. NO is a small market vs a larger market team hense LA. If attendance... [MORE]	Bub	Dec 4, 2007 19:02

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