Somebody Tell Rochester.....NBA isnt expanding

[a1sports]

Looked over the information I was sent about Rochester. Its amazing how one organization can do things right and others have no idea. It doesnt matter ABA, CBA, USBL, you have to do things right. From a fan club to VIP sitting area to traveling bill Board around the city, they are doing it right. An arena that sits 12,500 with a giant video scroebaord and sponsors all around the arerna. I see that they have anticipated 6,000 fans for a December 28th HOME game....and this game will be televised on local cable TV!!! This is the proper way to have a professional basketball team run, none of that ABA- CBA highschool gyms/college gyms, or arenas that sit 1,000 people. If your going to do it, do it right. Hopefully something will shake out by next year and there will be ONE minor league baskeball system that a fan can follow with no arguing about organizations but arguing who is the best rebounder or shooter or team...thats what these forums should be about. AMEN

[psbf]

I agree with your logic. But Rochester probably had the arena available and the Razor sharks were able to come to an agreement for it's use. That is not always the case. Most teams have to settle for what they can get.
Here, in Pittsburgh, we only had two facilities available(although expensive to use). Despite the fact that both are too big, at least the Xplosion have a place to play and a back-up home. Until something more accommodating can be built or found, I'm happy to be able to watch them and I'm glad we(in Pgh.) have them.
As the saying goes, be happy with what you have. If/when something better comes along, great. But not all cities can afford the luxury of what Rochester has.

[bdaly]

I don't know if Rochester has a luxury. The Razorsharks certainly pay some dollars for the arena and they play at non-peak times (they rarely get weekend evening games). Last year the paper said the Razorsharks were roughly a breakeven team in dollars/cents likely because they spend more than others. But the Razorsharks do things well; their challenge this year is on the court as they're good, but I'm not sure that they're quite as good as last year. I have noticed a jump in sponsorships and I've been told floor seats have sold very well this year in terms of season seats.

While I haven't heard that tomorrow's game is expected to draw that much, I wouldn't be surprised if they're really pushing it because it's going to be on live TV. Their new year's eve game has a concert afterwards (and they can enjoy the city's fireworks after that), so that should be another strong draw. On Friday, the team is offering a free "swim with the sharks" event, which I think is fairly innovative and a great way to get families out to meet the team at the aquatics center that they use for training.

[bomp]

Rochester has many well run teams. The Red Wings (Is my old school buddy, Naomi Silver still involved??) & the AHL Amerks have been there forever. The USL Rhinos just had a new stadium built. They all do pretty well. Rochester had the NBA Royals many years ago as well.