I echo the sentiments. Why should the public pay for private enterprise? The government should remove all anti-trust exemption status for these teams and allow the cities to own all the teams. Players would make the same money, but places like Indy and DET wouldn't have to build 2 new stadiums within 30 years.
Here in Dallas, the Mayor did a great job of telling Jerry Jones to go to Arlington. The Super Bowl will come here Arlington will pay for the Stadium and Dallas will get all the benefits, kind of like owners in sports.
The difference is Cleveland has had pro franchises in their town for years...This is all new to Oklahoma City..They'll probably be successful in this town for many years to come. Personally, I wish the Sonics would have stayed in Seattle for the next 2 years until they become good again, and then move here..With all of the young players they're probably going to suck for the first couple of years.
Charlotte didn't have a pro team the 1st around and they still moved after about 12 years. What is going to happen in OKC, when Durant decides to go somewhere else in few years (for the sake of argument), I don't believe OKC has the economic means for a team to endure 30-52 record, like a LA, Chi, Bos, NYC.
Go Sooners, you live in Oklahoma would have a better understanding of that than I would, but I am not sure their economy could sustain it. It willl be a top ticket, the first couple seasons, but then they better be winning games.
I pretty much agree about the wins and losses..If they start losing then it will come into question whether they'll stay..This is why I wish they had stayed in Seattle for the next couple of years until they possibly become a winning team.. Or we got a new franchise all together. Of course Sacremento had to endure atrocious seasons for many years....Much may depend on the economy and this oil situation. I live about 20 miles from the arena..To drive down there and back will cost me about $12 for gas alone..When the Hornets were here, we had people driving in from Tulsa, which is about 90 miles up the road..We won't be getting as much of that with the economy the way it is, and if OKC has a losing NBA team..It's a tough call..It could be shaky for awhile..But, you wouldn't believe the excitement we had here with the Hornets. And many of the hornets players preferred to stay here rather than go back to New Orleans.. This town has been pining for a pro team for years. Although OKC is a small market by NBA standards, Oklahoma County is one of the biggest counties in the nation. Not much smaller than Orange County..And it's an area that is growing. So there are definitely more positives than negatives. And I think that's what these owners were looking at with this area.
