Down 35........

[jemagee]

This is the problem for California. Even before the economy soured, there is just no public funds being approved for stadium deals in this state, unlike elsewhere. The onus is on owners brokering deals from choice localities that do not sound like funneling money to build stadiums.

Except that isn't that newly approved football stadium in southern california partially built with public money?  I thought it was (which is why I was shocked about it) so that gives the Maloofs a little 'ahem' in their talks with the state.

maybe they'll wait out until the current idiot is out of the governors office and try and deal with the next one, who knew i'd ever be grateful for term limits.

Of course, if history tells me anything, the dems will put up an unelectable fool

[westkoast]

I suppose if you don't have a major sports team in your area you'd see one in vegas, but to me the tourist trade has never been a factor in professional sports franchises in Vegas...it's not something you go to a city to do to me unless it's historic like fenway or wrigley or the garden before they tore it down.

Vegas is a bit different than other cities though.  Vegas is pretty much one really big street.  The biggest thing next to gambling is to go  see entertainment shows like stand up comedy, magic, singing, etc.  I think a pro basketball game falls right in with those.  Bigger cities tend to have more to do and take away from say, seeing the Flyers in Philly, because there are famous places to see or you want to hit Genos.

I go to Vegas a few times a year and if I was able to get tickets while in town, I think I would attend a game even though I have two teams I can see at home.

I don't know the geography down there well but i was always under the impression that the 'drive' from Anaheim to staples is kind of prohibitive and there's also a pre built stadium waiting for a team in anaheim isn't there?

It's not far but the traffic makes it a pain at times.  I drive from Huntington Beach (which is west of Anaheim) past the 110 freeway (which Staples is off of to the east) to LAX area.  So I make the drive every morning and night.  It's not horrible but it's not great.

Not only is there a pre-built stadium but NBA games have already been played there.  The Clippers have played there in the past for a number of games.  Lakers always play at least one game there in the pre-season.  So you know it works for basketball and they did want to get the Clippers up there at one point in time.

Jomal - I think the maloofs are sincere about keeping the team in Sacramento - but greenmail is the way it's done these days - if the state doesn't pony up funds - find a state that will - just ask seattle - i'm not saying i approve of it - but it's just the way things are done these days -

I think they love the area/fan base as well but it just seems to me like their main interests are outside of Sacramento.

[jemagee]

I think they love the area/fan base as well but it just seems to me like their main interests are outside of Sacramento.

I think their main interests are profits, like most business people, and that if they felt they could make a profit staying in Sacramento they would

[JoMal]

I think they love the area/fan base as well but it just seems to me like their main interests are outside of Sacramento.

I think their main interests are profits, like most business people, and that if they felt they could make a profit staying in Sacramento they would

BTW, they just sold their beer distribution business back in New Mexico. This was the foundation of their wealth. Before that, they tried to sell the Monarchs of the WNBA, but when there were no takers, they let the franchise fold. Both of these moves, they claimed, were to solidify their work with the Kings, and, more interestingly, their business interests in Sacramento.

[jemagee]

When they sell their casinos in vegas and start putting the 'extreme sports' events in sacramento - i'll believe em

[westkoast]

I think they love the area/fan base as well but it just seems to me like their main interests are outside of Sacramento.

I think their main interests are profits, like most business people, and that if they felt they could make a profit staying in Sacramento they would

Their main interests are profits, like most business people, and their main source of profit/wealth is OUTSIDE of Sacramento.

[JoMal]

When they sell their casinos in vegas and start putting the 'extreme sports' events in sacramento - i'll believe em

They really love those extreme sporting events they sponsor. Who knew?

[westkoast]

When they sell their casinos in vegas and start putting the 'extreme sports' events in sacramento - i'll believe em

They really love those extreme sporting events they sponsor. Who knew?

A reply to Jem's original statement about this.....

Southern California, specifically Huntington Beach and the surrounding beach areas in Southern California, has been a mecca for skateboarding.  Huntington Beach is Surf City USA officially.  It makes sense for them to do those extreme sports events here than in Sacramento.

The Maloof's really seem to enjoy themselves in Orange County when they put all of it together so yeah, who knew?

[jemagee]

WK - Yeah i know - santa barbara has its share of irritating skaters