Columbus Ohio and the NBA?

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Wooball

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May 11, 2012 8:44 AM
http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2012/05/obstacles_abound_as_columbus_a.html

What do you think? Could/Would Columbus support an NBA franchise? The arena/arena district would be a great venue, but would there be enough interest in the team w/ the Cavaliers being just a few hours up the road and on everyone's TV. Would folks in Cincinnati have any interest in an NBA franchise being closer to them in their own state?
May 11, 2012 8:44am
Commander of Awesome's avatar

Commander of Awesome

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May 11, 2012 8:49 AM
Which team would move? I honestly hope the NBA doesn't increase the number of teams.
May 11, 2012 8:49am
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derek bomar

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May 11, 2012 8:51 AM
I'd love to have a team in Columbus and think as long as they won we could and would support the team. If they're the CBJ... they probably will get similar interest. Columbus doesn't support a loser. The CBJ would have sellouts every game if they won.
May 11, 2012 8:51am
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Commander of Awesome

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May 11, 2012 8:55 AM
derek bomar;1167665 wrote:I'd love to have a team in Columbus and think as long as they won we could and would support the team. If they're the CBJ... they probably will get similar interest. Columbus doesn't support a loser. The CBJ would have sellouts every game if they won.
Columbus supports you! lol lol lol
May 11, 2012 8:55am
Wooball's avatar

Wooball

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May 11, 2012 8:56 AM
Commander of Awesome;1167664 wrote:Which team would move? I honestly hope the NBA doesn't increase the number of teams.
The article says the NBA is not interested in expansion. Right now the Kings are the only team on the verge of a move, but can't imagine the Maloofs wanting to move to Columbus. Maybe if the city of Columbus hadn't moved the casino out of the arena district, you could have the Columbus Kings and Palms casino.
May 11, 2012 8:56am
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LJ

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May 11, 2012 8:58 AM
Commander of Awesome;1167664 wrote:Which team would move? I honestly hope the NBA doesn't increase the number of teams.
On the radio yesterday they were discussing it being the "planting of seeds" for a 5-10 year plan. So who knows. Whatever team gets into an arena battle and decides to move in the next 10 years?

I think it would be cool to have an NBA team. I'm not particularly a fan of the NBA, but I would go to a few games per year. I'm just not sure they would have the constant support that they would need to be profitable. Like Derek said, if they were an instant winner, they would have a decent amount of support, but will that pay the bills? OSU Basketball can barely fill the Schott every night during B1G championship seasons.
May 11, 2012 8:58am
Commander of Awesome's avatar

Commander of Awesome

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May 11, 2012 8:58 AM
Didn't the Kings start in Cincy wayy back in the day?
May 11, 2012 8:58am
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LJ

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May 11, 2012 9:02 AM
Commander of Awesome;1167672 wrote:Didn't the Kings start in Cincy wayy back in the day?
Think somewhere in Upstate NY, then Cincy, then somewhere in the Midwest (Kansas or Nebraska?) then Sacramento.

They were talking about it on 610, but i wasn't paying close attention
May 11, 2012 9:02am
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ernest_t_bass

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May 11, 2012 9:24 AM
Commander of Awesome;1167664 wrote:Which team would move? I honestly hope the NBA doesn't increase the number of teams.
My same thoughts before I even opened up the thread. We're like brothers now. I should add you to my signature.
May 11, 2012 9:24am
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Little Danny

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May 11, 2012 9:27 AM
Commander of Awesome;1167672 wrote:Didn't the Kings start in Cincy wayy back in the day?
The Kings were originally the Rochester Royals, then they moved to Cincinnati in the late 50s to become the Cincinnati Royals. The Royals stayed in Cincinnati until the early 70s, moved to Kansas City to become the basketball Kansas City Royals. Afterwards they moved to Sacremento and changed their mascot to the Kings.

I think a win-win would be for the CBJ to move to Cleveland and for the Cavs to Columbus.
May 11, 2012 9:27am
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Commander of Awesome

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May 11, 2012 9:30 AM
Little Danny;1167701 wrote:I think a win-win would be for the CBJ to move to Cleveland and for the Cavs to Columbus.
I disagree.
May 11, 2012 9:30am
T

tmac23

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May 11, 2012 9:38 AM
Changed name to Kansas City/Ohmaha Kings as to not be confused with the baseball team.Doubt it would be a good move with OSU sports and Blue Jackets hockey.
May 11, 2012 9:38am
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Fly4Fun

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May 11, 2012 9:44 AM
All I want is a competent franchise whether it be hockey or basketball who cares. They don't have to be the best, but being competitive would be nice.
May 11, 2012 9:44am
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Y-Town Steelhound

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May 11, 2012 9:46 AM
Columbus just isn't a pro sports town and especially not a basketball town. I don't think the NBA would want two teams that close to each other in Ohio.

The Blue Jackets have decent attendance despite their lack of success but Columbus doesn't support the Crew or Clippers that well despite theirs. Not to mention the lack of interest in going to OSU basketball games. I don't think an NBA team would be right for Columbus despite how perfect Nationwide Arena would be for one.
May 11, 2012 9:46am
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se-alum

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May 11, 2012 9:52 AM
derek bomar;1167665 wrote:I'd love to have a team in Columbus and think as long as they won we could and would support the team. If they're the CBJ... they probably will get similar interest. Columbus doesn't support a loser. The CBJ would have sellouts every game if they won.
CBJ had a streak of something like 60 consecutive sellouts at one point. Of course if you become a perennial loser, the fan support will wane. I think Columbus could easily support an NBA team.
May 11, 2012 9:52am
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Y-Town Steelhound

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May 11, 2012 9:56 AM
The CBJ attendance is actually pretty good considering how bad the team has consistently been. It's the support of the Crew (won the cup as recently as 2008, usually a playoff team) and the Clippers (back to back AAA champions) that concerns me about another pro team in Cbus.
May 11, 2012 9:56am
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Fly4Fun

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May 11, 2012 10:00 AM
Y-Town Steelhound;1167719 wrote:Columbus just isn't a pro sports town and especially not a basketball town. I don't think the NBA would want two teams that close to each other in Ohio.

The Blue Jackets have decent attendance despite their lack of success but Columbus doesn't support the Crew or Clippers that well despite theirs. Not to mention the lack of interest in going to OSU basketball games. I don't think an NBA team would be right for Columbus despite how perfect Nationwide Arena would be for one.
You're pointing to a soccer team and a Minor League ball club to say that columbus doesn't support professional sports? You can't be serious. Columbus does support the crew decently well, it's soccer. It's not exactly the hottest sport in America. And Columbus supports the Clippers as well as a minor league team can hope.

The whole "Columbus isn't a pro sports town" argument is a terrible one based on complete ignorance. Columbus has LOVED the Blue Jackets but after years of futility are losing fan support (that's kind of how sports work). It's not as if the Blue Jackets were a lower ranked play-off team. They just were NEVER a playoff team save 1 year. ONE year after being around for 12 is just embarassing considering the amount of high picks they should be getting.
May 11, 2012 10:00am
se-alum's avatar

se-alum

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May 11, 2012 10:03 AM
Y-Town Steelhound;1167738 wrote:The CBJ attendance is actually pretty good considering how bad the team has consistently been. It's the support of the Crew (won the cup as recently as 2008, usually a playoff team) and the Clippers (back to back AAA champions) that concerns me about another pro team in Cbus.
I agree, the CBJ organization makes games enjoyable even when the team isn't that good. Let's be honest, soccer is soccer, do we really expect the Crew to have a big following?? As far as the Clippers, yea, they're technically a pro team, but there's really not much of a draw to it unless you're a big time baseball fan or just wanting to take the family out for a night. I think with an NBA team where you have a big time superstar draw, pretty much on a nightly basis, it would be a whole different situation.
May 11, 2012 10:03am
ernest_t_bass's avatar

ernest_t_bass

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May 11, 2012 10:03 AM
Who would be pushed to the Western Conference if we added the Sac. Kings?
May 11, 2012 10:03am
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Fly4Fun

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May 11, 2012 10:07 AM
ernest_t_bass;1167750 wrote:Who would be pushed to the Western Conference if we added the Sac. Kings?
Milwaukee.
May 11, 2012 10:07am
LJ's avatar

LJ

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May 11, 2012 10:08 AM
Fly4Fun;1167746 wrote:You're pointing to a soccer team and a Minor League ball club to say that columbus doesn't support professional sports? You can't be serious. Columbus does support the crew decently well, it's soccer. It's not exactly the hottest sport in America. And Columbus supports the Clippers as well as a minor league team can hope.

The whole "Columbus isn't a pro sports town" argument is a terrible one based on complete ignorance. Columbus has LOVED the Blue Jackets but after years of futility are losing fan support (that's kind of how sports work). It's not as if the Blue Jackets were a lower ranked play-off team. They just were NEVER a playoff team save 1 year. ONE year after being around for 12 is just embarassing considering the amount of high picks they should be getting.
se-alum;1167749 wrote:I agree, the CBJ organization makes games enjoyable even when the team isn't that good. Let's be honest, soccer is soccer, do we really expect the Crew to have a big following?? As far as the Clippers, yea, they're technically a pro team, but there's really not much of a draw to it unless you're a big time baseball fan or just wanting to take the family out for a night. I think with an NBA team where you have a big time superstar draw, pretty much on a nightly basis, it would be a whole different situation.
You both say "soccer blah blah blah" but the Crew is in the bottom 1/3 for attendence in the MLS. That's bad, no matter what way you try to spin it.

As for the Clippers, they are actually near the top for AAA attendence.
May 11, 2012 10:08am
LJ's avatar

LJ

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May 11, 2012 10:10 AM
Correction, the Clippers are not just near the top, they were #2 in total attendence last year.
May 11, 2012 10:10am
G

Gblock

May 11, 2012 10:11 AM
i agree with fly4fun...hockey is just not that popular of a sport...neither is soccer so im not sure i get the comparison. clippers have to be one of the top teams in attendance since the new stadium although that is just a guess. I also think the crew attendance this year will be very good..the only reason columbus isnt a pro sports town is because we dont have any pro sports teams.
May 11, 2012 10:11am
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OSH

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May 11, 2012 10:25 AM
Fly4Fun;1167746 wrote:You're pointing to a soccer team and a Minor League ball club to say that columbus doesn't support professional sports? You can't be serious. Columbus does support the crew decently well, it's soccer. It's not exactly the hottest sport in America. And Columbus supports the Clippers as well as a minor league team can hope.

The whole "Columbus isn't a pro sports town" argument is a terrible one based on complete ignorance. Columbus has LOVED the Blue Jackets but after years of futility are losing fan support (that's kind of how sports work). It's not as if the Blue Jackets were a lower ranked play-off team. They just were NEVER a playoff team save 1 year. ONE year after being around for 12 is just embarassing considering the amount of high picks they should be getting.
se-alum;1167749 wrote:I agree, the CBJ organization makes games enjoyable even when the team isn't that good. Let's be honest, soccer is soccer, do we really expect the Crew to have a big following?? As far as the Clippers, yea, they're technically a pro team, but there's really not much of a draw to it unless you're a big time baseball fan or just wanting to take the family out for a night. I think with an NBA team where you have a big time superstar draw, pretty much on a nightly basis, it would be a whole different situation.
Gblock;1167762 wrote:i agree with fly4fun...hockey is just not that popular of a sport...neither is soccer so im not sure i get the comparison. clippers have to be one of the top teams in attendance since the new stadium although that is just a guess. I also think the crew attendance this year will be very good..the only reason columbus isnt a pro sports town is because we dont have any pro sports teams.
Really? What's the "facts" or "basis" in statements like these?

How about the MLS is the third-highest attended league in the United States? It's only below football (number 1) and baseball (number 2). The MLS surpassed the NBA (number 4, now) and the NHL (number 5, now). So what exactly makes a "popular sport" now? The MLS is only getting more popular -- in most other places. The Crew have to do something to change their poor attendance marks. There is no reason why Columbus shouldn't be able to get more than 10,000-12,000 fans at the stadium. But that argument can be saved for another time.

I don't think the NBA would make it in Columbus. I think it'd be tough for two NBA teams in Ohio to make it -- no matter where this second one came in. The only way it COULD make it is if they operate the NBA/MLS/NHL teams in Columbus like the Seattle Seahawks/Sounders are marketed and operated. The Seahawks/Sounders are both owned and operated by the same group. So, if you work football marketing, you also market their soccer team. Most soccer organizations have 30-50 working in their marketing/operating...the Sounders have 140+. Columbus would have to do something similar, in my opinion. Get the teams working together. Get the marketing together. Offer great packages. Offer great promotional opportunities. Actually make the experience about the fans instead of about money-hungry rich professionals.
May 11, 2012 10:25am
G

Gblock

May 11, 2012 10:33 AM
OSH;1167765 wrote:Really? What's the "facts" or "basis" in statements like these?

How about the MLS is the third-highest attended league in the United States? It's only below football (number 1) and baseball (number 2). The MLS surpassed the NBA (number 4, now) and the NHL (number 5, now). So what exactly makes a "popular sport" now? The MLS is only getting more popular -- in most other places. The Crew have to do something to change their poor attendance marks. There is no reason why Columbus shouldn't be able to get more than 10,000-12,000 fans at the stadium. But that argument can be saved for another time.

I don't think the NBA would make it in Columbus. I think it'd be tough for two NBA teams in Ohio to make it -- no matter where this second one came in. The only way it COULD make it is if they operate the NBA/MLS/NHL teams in Columbus like the Seattle Seahawks/Sounders are marketed and operated. The Seahawks/Sounders are both owned and operated by the same group. So, if you work football marketing, you also market their soccer team. Most soccer organizations have 30-50 working in their marketing/operating...the Sounders have 140+. Columbus would have to do something similar, in my opinion. Get the teams working together. Get the marketing together. Offer great packages. Offer great promotional opportunities. Actually make the experience about the fans instead of about money-hungry rich professionals.
no way MLS is higher in attendance than NBA
May 11, 2012 10:33am