Cavs may be next in line to run D-League team, sources say
Kicking myself... thinking HKF was talking about no chance that the D-League would expand. (Of course, maybe that's true, but that doesn't play in context)
I object to the dilution argument. I've actually watched some ESPN Classic lately and realized that the talent issue is a bit of a red herring. I think the modern player is overcoached... up until the pros, frankly. If there's any dilution, it's of coaching talent. Too many coaches copy each other these days.
Anyway... Las Vegas just won't work. The hockey team has trouble with the Orleans because the Orleans prefers to lock up weekend dates for stuff that actually brings in tourists (concerts, boxing cards, HS championship tournaments). If someone can build a similar arena without a casino attached, or if the UNLV "2nd arena" serves alcohol, there's just a hint of a shot... but Las Vegas already has a million mad promoters for everything, making it close to impossible to market there.
I object to the dilution argument. I've actually watched some ESPN Classic lately and realized that the talent issue is a bit of a red herring. I think the modern player is overcoached... up until the pros, frankly. If there's any dilution, it's of coaching talent. Too many coaches copy each other these days.
Anyway... Las Vegas just won't work. The hockey team has trouble with the Orleans because the Orleans prefers to lock up weekend dates for stuff that actually brings in tourists (concerts, boxing cards, HS championship tournaments). If someone can build a similar arena without a casino attached, or if the UNLV "2nd arena" serves alcohol, there's just a hint of a shot... but Las Vegas already has a million mad promoters for everything, making it close to impossible to market there.
I still think going into the same town as serious D-1 college basketball programs is a bad idea. But, I will enjoy watching them fail all the same.
Mean Spirited Blogger #24601
Accused of being a Cyber Terrorist by Joe Newman.
This league (NIFL) is like a frickin' cockroach. You could throw a nuclear bomb at it and it would still survive
-tony-o
So I'd rather spend a quarter of an ABA franchise to repair my car, as opposed to spending a franchise and a half to get a new car that might have some planned obsolescence that causes it to break down 5 days after the end of the warranty period.
-Chuck the Writer
Accused of being a Cyber Terrorist by Joe Newman.
This league (NIFL) is like a frickin' cockroach. You could throw a nuclear bomb at it and it would still survive
-tony-o
So I'd rather spend a quarter of an ABA franchise to repair my car, as opposed to spending a franchise and a half to get a new car that might have some planned obsolescence that causes it to break down 5 days after the end of the warranty period.
-Chuck the Writer
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[quote=""rams80""]I still think going into the same town as serious D-1 college basketball programs is a bad idea. But, I will enjoy watching them fail all the same.[/quote]
I buy that line in specific situations. Then there's Boise, where the Stampede (despite some of my observations about suspect crowd counts) just signed a three-year extension on a lease with Qwest Arena. I'm sure I can think of a few other cities where a D-1 team isn't exactly a big name or "the state school" where an alternative might be viable.
You argue this about Las Vegas. They had a "flash in the pan" sellout streak when winning a national championship, had many lean years subsequently where there were obvious empty seats in the lower level, and last season won a NCAA tournament game for the first time in 16 years. That's lead to a couple big crowds this season, but not quite any sellout. Meanwhile, the population of the Las Vegas metropolis has more than doubled in that time. I'd argue that a lot of factors work against a D-League team succeeding in Las Vegas, but that having a D-1 team in town is low on the list of factors.
Omaha? I wonder how much the recent Creighton crowds are due to the new building. I know the Missouri Valley Conference is on an uptick, but that these things go in cycles. Additionally, as a private school, if Creighton's fortunes take a dip, what happens to the crowds? I'm sure Creighton's present form creates a problem for a D-League opening, but is that the way to bet in the long term?
I buy that line in specific situations. Then there's Boise, where the Stampede (despite some of my observations about suspect crowd counts) just signed a three-year extension on a lease with Qwest Arena. I'm sure I can think of a few other cities where a D-1 team isn't exactly a big name or "the state school" where an alternative might be viable.
You argue this about Las Vegas. They had a "flash in the pan" sellout streak when winning a national championship, had many lean years subsequently where there were obvious empty seats in the lower level, and last season won a NCAA tournament game for the first time in 16 years. That's lead to a couple big crowds this season, but not quite any sellout. Meanwhile, the population of the Las Vegas metropolis has more than doubled in that time. I'd argue that a lot of factors work against a D-League team succeeding in Las Vegas, but that having a D-1 team in town is low on the list of factors.
Omaha? I wonder how much the recent Creighton crowds are due to the new building. I know the Missouri Valley Conference is on an uptick, but that these things go in cycles. Additionally, as a private school, if Creighton's fortunes take a dip, what happens to the crowds? I'm sure Creighton's present form creates a problem for a D-League opening, but is that the way to bet in the long term?
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[quote=""Pounder""]Anyway... Las Vegas just won't work. The hockey team has trouble with the Orleans because the Orleans prefers to lock up weekend dates for stuff that actually brings in tourists (concerts, boxing cards, HS championship tournaments).[/quote]In that case, the hockey team's attendance record is even more impressive. That could be the team that plays mostly weekday dates. Wishful thinking on my part -- sure would make the MLK showcase worth attending though.
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las vegas,nv
where pro sports franchises go to die
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[quote=""rams80""]I still think going into the same town as serious D-1 college basketball programs is a bad idea. But, I will enjoy watching them fail all the same.[/quote]
I agree whole heartedly. I can speak for Albuquerque and say that, the Tbirds fan base hurts with the Lobos in town. The lobos are not even that great of a team, talent wise - but a state school that plays D-1...they suck a lot of fan base. I am actually surprised thnat the Tbirds have stuck around as long as they have (and I am happy-trust me) because minor league ball has not done well in this town. Of course, it did not have the backing of the NBA either
I agree whole heartedly. I can speak for Albuquerque and say that, the Tbirds fan base hurts with the Lobos in town. The lobos are not even that great of a team, talent wise - but a state school that plays D-1...they suck a lot of fan base. I am actually surprised thnat the Tbirds have stuck around as long as they have (and I am happy-trust me) because minor league ball has not done well in this town. Of course, it did not have the backing of the NBA either
[quote=""Pounder""]
Omaha? I wonder how much the recent Creighton crowds are due to the new building. I know the Missouri Valley Conference is on an uptick, but that these things go in cycles. Additionally, as a private school, if Creighton's fortunes take a dip, what happens to the crowds? I'm sure Creighton's present form creates a problem for a D-League opening, but is that the way to bet in the long term?[/quote]
As long as Dana Altman coaches that team (and he's not getting another job offer after that Arkansas thing), their on court success shouldn't take too much of a dip.
I honestly think the crowds are there for the basketball, the arena's old enough that the novelty should have worn off.
Omaha? I wonder how much the recent Creighton crowds are due to the new building. I know the Missouri Valley Conference is on an uptick, but that these things go in cycles. Additionally, as a private school, if Creighton's fortunes take a dip, what happens to the crowds? I'm sure Creighton's present form creates a problem for a D-League opening, but is that the way to bet in the long term?[/quote]
As long as Dana Altman coaches that team (and he's not getting another job offer after that Arkansas thing), their on court success shouldn't take too much of a dip.
I honestly think the crowds are there for the basketball, the arena's old enough that the novelty should have worn off.
Mean Spirited Blogger #24601
Accused of being a Cyber Terrorist by Joe Newman.
This league (NIFL) is like a frickin' cockroach. You could throw a nuclear bomb at it and it would still survive
-tony-o
So I'd rather spend a quarter of an ABA franchise to repair my car, as opposed to spending a franchise and a half to get a new car that might have some planned obsolescence that causes it to break down 5 days after the end of the warranty period.
-Chuck the Writer
Accused of being a Cyber Terrorist by Joe Newman.
This league (NIFL) is like a frickin' cockroach. You could throw a nuclear bomb at it and it would still survive
-tony-o
So I'd rather spend a quarter of an ABA franchise to repair my car, as opposed to spending a franchise and a half to get a new car that might have some planned obsolescence that causes it to break down 5 days after the end of the warranty period.
-Chuck the Writer
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