David Stern on The GerryV Show!!!!

[sds70]

Ugggghhhh, I caught the tail end of GerryV's interview with NBA Commish David Stern during the first hour of his show today (6-6:30pm). He more or less said (adlibbing here) . . .

1) The City Leaders/Power Brokers had a macho attitude that they could force the NBA to dump Shinnridge to get new ownership to get Hive #2 built

2) The non-binding referendum wasn't necessary; why did they have a vote they didn't have to have (see how the city found the political cajones to vote on the arena deal this past February)?


3) He hasn't completely closed the door on the NBA coming back to CLT; but obviously all of our ducks have to be in order though (arena plan, ownership group, etc.).


Straight from the source on why the City of CLT is losing its NBA team. Of course, I'm sure there will be folks here who are still going to blame the league for not doing more to keep the Hornets here, but David Stern clearly puts the blame where it belongs. They weren't going to force an ownership change, despite what some folks here believed for a year would happen. I wonder if anybody from WFNZ heard this interview (and if they did, how will they try to spin it, which I'm sure they will).

 

[smashmouth5]

Why is Charlotte getting lambasted for telling the NBA we don't want these owners? If other city leaders would tell the NBA to screw it's self, the NBA, or any other sports franchise for that matter, would have to listen to these cities. But as long as towns like New Orleans are willing to allow these Billion and Millionares to rape and pillage their cities and states, it will continue. What if the city leaders in New York, or LA did the same thing Charlotte did, the NBA would sit up and take notice.

 

[PanthersReturn]

City Council had no intestinal fortitude, and I would agree that our city AND business leaders "talked" too much. Remember Hugh, when the deal was close to done - saying something to the effect that "soon we'd be rid of Shinn and the other guy"?

Regardless, I won't miss Shinnridge. I'm sorry to see the Hornets leave. I don't wish THEM ill, but I hope Shinnridge finds out the hard way how much fun the Big Easy really can be.

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end, right?

 

[The Masked Marauder]

Originally posted by smashmouth5
Why is Charlotte getting lambasted for telling the NBA we don't want these owners? If other city leaders would tell the NBA to screw it's self, the NBA, or any other sports franchise for that matter, would have to listen to these cities. But as long as towns like New Orleans are willing to allow these Billion and Millionares to rape and pillage their cities and states, it will continue. What if the city leaders in New York, or LA did the same thing Charlotte did, the NBA would sit up and take notice.

Amen, Smashmouth. All professional sports are becoming nothing but pompus, arrogant jerks who think they are a lot more important to communities than they really are. What they should be is a nice distraction and something for sports fans to rally behind. Instead, they now seem to feel that not only are we "fortunate" to have them but that we should be thankful to them for allowing us the honor of giving them our money (pocket and tax) to watch them play. I've really about had it with the NBA and pro sports in general. Screw 'em all!

 

[BearBryant]

The NBA is going to be in for real shock when we get a baseball stadium downtown and everyone realizes you can get the best seat in the house and a few beers for $20. Sorry but I would rather sit outside in the summertime and watch teams and players who are busting their ass on every play trying to make it to the show than watch a bunch overpaid slackasses.

 

[The Masked Marauder]

Originally posted by BearBryant
The NBA is going to be in for real shock when we get a baseball stadium downtown and everyone realizes you can get the best seat in the house and a few beers for $20. Sorry but I would rather sit outside in the summertime and watch teams and players who are busting their ass on every play trying to make it to the show than watch a bunch overpaid slackasses.

I agree 100%, Bear.

 

[T_Schroll]

They want new stadiums and arenas let the owners pay for them out of their own pockets or sell PSL's like the Panthers. No tax money. Cities can provide the land (and tax the teams for it) or road work, but that's all any city should be willing or forced to do.

 

[sds70]

Originally posted by T_Schroll
They want new stadiums and arenas let the owners pay for them out of their own pockets or sell PSL's like the Panthers. No tax money. Cities can provide the land (and tax the teams for it) or road work, but that's all any city should be willing or forced to do.

If I heard correctly, Don Beaver (owner of the AAA Knights) is going to ask the city to kick in some money to build a minor league ballpark in SOUTH END. Should the city say no in this instance just like they said NO to Shinnridge for Hive #2 ? ? ?

 

[T_Schroll]

Sports teams and their owners should get no more breaks than the rest of the businesses get. The sooner it happens the better. It'll be the end of the outrageous salaries and ticket prices. Name one other business that can walk into City Hall and demand the city build their plant for them. Why should sports teams be any different?

Unless something drastically changes, teams will continue to bleed cities dry. They'll do it without being held to account for their own shoddy business practices in the process.

 

[sds70]

FYI-Over at the CLT.com Hornets Board, GerryV posted a review of his interview with David Stern yesterday . . . .


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First of all how are all my little friends?? I was asked to p[ost a summary of the interview which will be aired agian today.

1.Stern was concerned with the referendum that was "non-binding and not required by law.

2.He then commented when the referendun was over how everyone went into hiding.

3. he was puzzled by the lack of support from the business community that didn't get behind the project.

4. Quote..The " macho approach" used by the city thinking they could wash out a set of owners.THat wasn't going to happen.

5. He commented about the lack of a overall support for towards the project..he said ..you usually see a certain person or group that steps out and supports something and generates the energy to mak eit happen.

6. he spoke about the 30,000 hotel rooms that stay full in new orleans...the tourist traffic that he felt was huge....the impact of the media deal and the tv penetration in the gulf coast region(third largest cable penetration in the USA lads!)and the $$$$$ it will generate.( deal is already signed by the way.

7. The new arena already in place....the new practice facilty being
built.....the delux seating sold etc.

8. I asked him about the future of Charlotte..is it over here??/ he sadi they would be willing to keep the door open but it will require a new arena...a business plan...a land deal and a spirit of support which he doesn't see right now.

9. He took some of the blame for the move..he also said the owners should share with some of the blame as well as the city.

His tone in allof this was calm and business like.

You guys get pissed off at the entire thing ( which i can't blame you) but you yell so much you couldn't see this happening..i told you the league wouldn't turn on its own...i warned the council that buy putting that clause in the deal about having to get new owners was a HUGE MISTAKE....the NON BINDING REF...another major mistake....the lack of a decent presentation..i could go on and on.....you get so wrapped up in the emotional aspect of it all you miss the facts....
I have always said the guilt could be passed to everyone.....heres another tidbit for you......people are looking at Charlotte and asking
this question..."Has Charlotte decided to take the path of a minor league sport?" The are not asking the question in a mean spirited way..they asked in a very serious tone wi th not laughter......I warned you for months and months..with all the interviews i had with the city council....granik...Stern...the Mayor...business leaders..over the past year or so...i could see this coming.....you clouded my comments because you were to bust bashing the owners and thought i was yakking off at the mouth protecting them.....protect them from what?????.....I'm telling you guys like i said before..if the Charlotte Political community and the Business leaders would have taken the high road and approached with a business mind the team would still be here!!! Some have already said(amazing what you're told in a socail setting) this deal was handles poorly!!
Goes to show what happens when you ignore the big investment and the return when your blinded by a vendetta.....the mistake has now earned the ownership group a ton of money.......I have always said the fans always get screwed.........we talk about alot of issues and not just the Hornets.......this arena situation got out of control........
Wonder if they will have another vote on the next arena......now they want to talk about the idea of major league baseball............
Be careful and don't let your emotions get the best of you again.This time become a part of the study and ask questions...tons of them.....

I looked at this arena issue purely as a business deal..i saw the gamesmanship being played...the meetings delay ec..the asking for the world etc..it was all part tof the game called "The Art of the Deal"
I've experinced it myself when i was in the business world........

I'm sorry if you fell betrayed....you have a right to feel that way...
Don't lay it all at the feet of the owners.....don't confuse.. ones appearance with ones abilty to do business...many of you have gotten what you wished for...run the owners out of town...you won..but the team now goes with them....so who won???? You blurred what i have been saying all along cause you only wanted to hear what you wanted to hear.....you thought it was all a defense for the owners.....25 years in the area gives me a good background as to how business is conducted around here.....its a shame SOME of you were led down the wrong path......your loud voices drowned out the information we were trying to get to you.......sorry you have to experience this.

The guilt is shared by all of us.