So yesterday, The Pitch's Justin Kendall posted a report that the NBA's New Orleans Hornets had met their attendance thresholds, thus guaranteeing they cannot breach their lease. This is news because every year, at least a couple NBA or NHL franchises let their local governments (read: landlords) know that Kansas City has a spiffy new arena, and it's ready for a team, and by golly, attendance hasn't been so good lately and oh I could use some new suites and other "revenue streams", and Kansas City has those things, hint hint.
It really got me thinking:
What if the Sprint Center is the focal point of massive sports ownership collusion?
Think about it.
The arena is run by AEG, which owns the NHL's LA Kings and has an interest in the NBA's LA Lakers. They obviously have the ears of the other owners.
What if AEG said, "All right, people. Check this out--we put an arena construction issue to a vote in Kansas City."
It'll never pass; there's no trust in city government to actually use taxpayer money responsibly.
"But here's the great part--the citizens of KC will barely be taxed at all! We'll fund it with a hotel and rental car tax so TOURISTS can pay for the arena! In fact, that's how we'll sell it."
Hmm...that might work. But why Kansas City?
"Think about it--it has neither a hockey nor a basketball team, but an arena could house either one. It's also a big enough city that an outsider could believe that, conceivably, a franchise could draw well enough to be supported there. For crissakes, we have a basketball team in Salt Lake City!"
Where are you going with this?
"We get the arena built. For a good ten years, those of us who need a few more skyboxes, or concession stands, or hell, a whole damn new arena can hold our fanbase hostage. Fix our shit or we leave."
Brilliant! And none of us really ever have to leave! Sweet, sweet leverage!
"Yep--everyone wins. You get your new amenities, your fans keep their teams, and Kansas City gets Elton John, Garth Brooks, and Nickelback."
After ten years when the arena is not so state-of-the-art...?
"We do it again. Vegas, baby."
It really got me thinking:
What if the Sprint Center is the focal point of massive sports ownership collusion?
Think about it.
The arena is run by AEG, which owns the NHL's LA Kings and has an interest in the NBA's LA Lakers. They obviously have the ears of the other owners.
What if AEG said, "All right, people. Check this out--we put an arena construction issue to a vote in Kansas City."
It'll never pass; there's no trust in city government to actually use taxpayer money responsibly.
"But here's the great part--the citizens of KC will barely be taxed at all! We'll fund it with a hotel and rental car tax so TOURISTS can pay for the arena! In fact, that's how we'll sell it."
Hmm...that might work. But why Kansas City?
"Think about it--it has neither a hockey nor a basketball team, but an arena could house either one. It's also a big enough city that an outsider could believe that, conceivably, a franchise could draw well enough to be supported there. For crissakes, we have a basketball team in Salt Lake City!"
Where are you going with this?
"We get the arena built. For a good ten years, those of us who need a few more skyboxes, or concession stands, or hell, a whole damn new arena can hold our fanbase hostage. Fix our shit or we leave."
Brilliant! And none of us really ever have to leave! Sweet, sweet leverage!
"Yep--everyone wins. You get your new amenities, your fans keep their teams, and Kansas City gets Elton John, Garth Brooks, and Nickelback."
After ten years when the arena is not so state-of-the-art...?
"We do it again. Vegas, baby."
UPDATE: Apparently the latest team to make us their patsy is the Indiana Pacers. (/nod Justin Kendall @ the Pitch)
UPDATE: Now it's the Columbus Blue Jackets. (/nod David Martin @ Pitch). It never ends.
