| |
|
|
Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Jul 18, 2007
|
|
I for one am glad to see free markets at work. If the owner of the Sonics wants to move the team, he should have the right to do so. If it is the best financial decision for him and the franchise, it is nobody's right to tell him differently unless they put up the money to make him whole. I didn't see anyone willing to make that offer...
I do feel bad for the fans in Seattle, but this is how free market economics are supposed to work.
|
|
|
Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Jan 18, 2008
|
|
Yeah it is free market at work however I just don't see the team being successful in Oklahoma city. Once the novelty wears off the fans won't keep going to the games.
|
|
|
Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Jun 28, 2007
|
|
I don't see how this is the free market at work. Bennett's action is irrational. I can see justification in moving the team out of Seattle, but there is no way that OKC will support an NBA team in the long run. On the other hand, there are several markets much larger than OKC that don't currently have a team. If the Sonic's move were a market-based decision, they would move to San Diego or Vegas or Pittsburgh or add a third team to the NYC area. In fact, there's almost no doubt that Schultz would buy back the team for significantly more than it's going to be worth in OKC. Quite simply, this is the work of an irrational owner, not "market forces." (I'd like to add that I have no ties to Seattle and would have no particular problem with a Sonics move if it were to a big-market city. But the NBA really needs fewer, not more, small markets.)
|
|
|
Reputation:82
Level:All-Star
Since:Feb 15, 2008
|
|
Dude, the NBA is the farthest thing from being a free market. Think of it as more of a monopoly. Decisions are made behind closed doors by 32 owners with no regard for any thing except how much money they can line their pockets with from the fans and the cities they extort for arenas and tax breaks. If it were a true free market there would be no way a team would move from the 14th largest media market to the 45th largest.
|
|
|
Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Apr 10, 2007
|
|
Horsefan - ridiculous, free market my ass! Get a clue as to why there are no NBA teams between Denver, Minneapolis, Texas, Chiacgo, and Memphis
That area is too rural - ie all of the Great Plains besides parts of Texas! I mean come on, the only other pro sports teams in that area (besides the NBA) are in St Louis and Kansas City - which are bigger than any place in Oklahoma.
The Midwest's Great Plains are for college teams to succeed due to smaller cities and towns.
|
|
|
Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Jul 18, 2007
|
|
'whether or not this turns out to be a wise financial decision remains to be seen, but in free market conditions a business owner has the right the run his business in the way that he thinks will best serve his business. I'm not saying the move is a good one or a smart one, I'm just glad to see that some beaurocrat didn't stick his nose in and stop the move. I think that as a franchise owner you should have the right to do whatever the hell you want with your team. It's just a reminder that the owner owns the team, not the fans, even though we often feel quite differently.
|
|
|
Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 5, 2006
|
No kidding.
You don't run professional sports leagues using the "free market" as a model. Look at the league that best manages itself - the NFL. Do they let everything go to the free market? Nope, they are very highly regulated with salary caps and revenue sharing. That's why small market teams like Green Bay continue to succeed.
Meanwhile, the poorly run leagues like the NHL and MLB pretty much leave all the powers to the bigger teams, and it makes for a lousy product. You know that every year, the Red Wings and the Yankees are going to be there in the end, because they spend the most money.
|
|
|
Reputation:85
Level:All-Star
Since:Jan 27, 2008
|
|
Why do you keep saying "free market"??
A free market would allow me to open an NBA team in Seattle tomorrow, but I cant.
I need to be approved and allowed in to the club first.
Also, whats so free market about holding a city hostage to build a new arena when they old one works fine (maybe it doesnt provide as much revenue as a new one does)?
FRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
EEE
MARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKE
TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
|
|
|
Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Apr 10, 2007
|
|
one more aspect - even though the Hornets were in Oklahoma City for a year, that market will not be able to support a team for multiple years (unless if the owner is willing to use more of his own money).
Seats might sell out, but if they do they'll be cheap for NBA seats - people out there don't make enough money to spend enough to support an NBA franchise for an extended period. It's simple economics!
|
|
|
Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Jul 18, 2007
|
|
As annoying as you had to be to make your point Tark, I agree with your interpretation. I just meant the overall concept of free markets allowing one to run their business as they see fit. The US is not a free market environment and the NBA is clearly not as well. Allowing this to happen does however lend itself more towards free market concepts rather than over regulation of the product and I for one am glad to see it.
|
|
