Forbes lists the 10 franchises most likely to relocate

2009-03-26T09:53:05-04:00

2008-10-09T14:15:32-04:00

2008-10-09T14:25:32-04:00

2008-10-10T14:43:58-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/624/7/thumb/DC_Shirt.jpg 82 DC

Was Buf., Now Was.

Washington 6267

51 Lists like this make me cringe, because I'm from Buffalo and I moved away (first to NC, then to DC) because there are no jobs (and therefore no $$) there-- and I know my Bills will be on every single list. I'm actually surprised, given the recent high-profile nature of the Toronto theft of 8 games from Rich Stadium (sorry, it's never "The Ralph;" whatever), that Forbes didn't put us higher. Let me note, and it may be just because I didn't know better, that growing up, I went to Buffalo Sabres (and Buffalo Stallions soccer) games at the old Aud downtown, and even though it was cavernous and dark, my favorite memories from those games isn't even the games themselves (maybe because we were awful?) but walking into and out from games with the throng of fans in those tunnels that wound around and around the building to the gates. There's something to be said for history, even if that history means you don't have a Starbucks in every section. Granted, Rich Stadium is no beauty, but I went to college at UNC, and while Kenan Stadium is gorgeous, the crazy amount of amenities (people eating pizza in their seats at a football game? seriously?) often distracted the crowd from the task at hand: rooting for the home team. 3024962

2008-10-10T12:48:16-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/102/468/thumb/HAWAIIAN_WARRIOR_1.jpg 122 hi

alohabob

Honolulu 102787

50 Loser teams looking to find more suckers in another town. 3023540

2008-10-10T00:17:52-04:00

156

Lex from NorCal

San Francisco 14569

I have not known a team besides the colts who move and then are amazingly talented. The colts were not super until manning came into the big picture. I would not mind to see the Bills move to Toronto, that might be fun to watch.

41 You're wrong- it happens a lot. 1. Titans vs Rams Super Bowl 31, 2. LA Raiders Super Bowl 18, 3. Oakland A's 3 world series in early 70s 4. Colorado Avalanche in mid 90s you're also wrong about the Colts - they were awful right after they moved. 3019453

2008-10-10T02:24:44-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/482/860/thumb/brock280.jpg 459 CA

Brock Sampson

El Dorado Hills 483300

You're wrong- it happens a lot. 1. Titans vs Rams Super Bowl 31, 2. LA Raiders Super Bowl 18, 3. Oakland A's 3 world series in early 70s4. Colorado Avalanche in mid 90syou're also wrong about the Colts - they were awful right after they moved.

47 My Oakland A's also went to 3 straight World Series from '88-90 an won 1, the Battle of The Bay agianst the Giants. Not even the Great Yankees went to 3 World Series in a row twice on two different occasions. 4 World Titles baby an there would have been more in the 1970's if the Owner wasnt so damn cheap. 1973 Oakland A's the best team ever or at least in the top 3. 3019619

2008-10-10T02:22:09-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/579/520/thumb/Texas_20Logo.jpg 6 TX

Trey3

Universal City 580080

46 Oh forgot about the 49ers and the Raiders. One to Hawaii and One to Alaska that should cool them off ungrateful people. Just kiddin, 49ers are not going anywhere they will get there stadium. The Raiders have never had luck in California I think they need to look somewhere else. Who am I kiddin move back to LA and stay there! 3019638

2008-10-10T02:19:52-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/482/860/thumb/brock280.jpg 459 CA

Brock Sampson

El Dorado Hills 483300

45 I'm from Cali but luv the Eagles since I was 5 back in the old days of 1988, but every year theres teams from the AFC I root for to make the Plaoff's or make a dent, last season I was dissapointed when the Browns were denied a Playoff Birth but for the past couple years i've been watching the Bills an with my boy Lynch leaving CAL an heading to real Frozen Tundra an the closest Canadian team you can get it'd be a perfect place for them to go to LA. Though I hate LA (im a Northern Cali Boy) it's a great sports town with solid fans an they would sell out almost every game to watch the new an improved Bills with Dontea Whitner, Marcus Stroud, Jason Peters, Lee Evans, & Trent Edwards lead that team back to the playoff's. 3019664

2008-10-10T02:15:03-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/579/520/thumb/Texas_20Logo.jpg 6 TX

Trey3

Universal City 580080

44 1. I am from San Antonio TX and we need to lure either the Florida Marlins or the Minnesota Vikings badly. The city was willing to build a new stadium for either football or baseball we are just waiting on a team. 2. New Orleans Hornets need to go to a place like St. Louis or KC and Charlotte to Las Vegas or Seattle. 3. Buffalo Bills needs to got to Toronto badly. 4. Phoenix Cayotes and Nashville Preditors just need to be dismantled 5. Tampa Bay Devil Rays I think maybe MLB should think about Mexico maybe Monterey it has a ring to it "Monterey Devil Rays"? These are just some ideas don't take them to heart. 3019600

2008-10-09T17:05:13-04:00

BostonCeltic

No City 577428

13 I have not known a team besides the colts who move and then are amazingly talented. The colts were not super until manning came into the big picture. I would not mind to see the Bills move to Toronto, that might be fun to watch. 3017315

2008-10-10T00:17:52-04:00

156

Lex from NorCal

San Francisco 14569

2008-10-10T00:03:00-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/650/0/thumb/ati.jpg 35151 NS

Redwing19: retired

Halifax 6520

40 The Predators need to be at the top of this list... provided Jim Balsille and RIM don't hemorrhage money in the meantime. 3019480

2008-10-10T00:00:28-04:00

jd16970

Kansas City 580049

39 Should throw the 'Killa City' Royals on the list. They generate enough attendance to fill a big hot tub on most nights...and the few that go leave early...we're not sure why, it's sure not to beat the traffic!!! 3019476

2008-10-09T23:44:05-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/335/75/thumb/28771007.jpg 136 AL

Big Gator

Madtown 33675

38 I was a die hard NBA Sonics fan but when the NBA will allow these teams to up and move just pisses me off. I love the fact that we had Kevin Durrant but Clay Bennett intentionally let that team go to crap. First it was Nate McMillan then Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis. It was a stable franchise and when the product on the court was worth watching the fans came out! If jackarses like Bennett won't spend the money for a winner why should we support it. Why? Because he knew there were enough suckers in OKC to support the team. 3019463

<div class="photo_container image_right"> <div class="photo"><img title="Montreal fan" src="http://i.cnn.net/si/fannation/expos-fan.jpg" alt="Montreal fan" width="298" height="384" /></div> <div class="photo_attributes" style="text-align: right;">Relocating franchises often leave disappointed fans behind.<br /></div> <div class="photo_attributes" style="text-align: right;">Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images</div> </div> <p>When the SuperSonics bolted Seattle after last season, they left behind legions of disappointed and disillusioned fans. A Forbes.com <a href="http://www.forbes.com/business/sportsmoney/2008/10/08/vikings-bills-marlins-biz-sports-cx_tvr_1008moving.html?feed=rss_business_sportsmoney" target="_blank">feature story</a> from this morning on the 10 franchises most likely to relocate sheds some light on which team could be next.</p> <p>The list features several of the usual suspects but a couple of surprise selections -- organizations with rich and often-successful histories in their current locales.</p> <blockquote> <p>10. Florida Marlins <br />9. Tampa Bay Rays<br />8. Buffalo Bills <br />7. Minnesota Vikings<br />6. San Francisco 49ers<br />5. New York Islanders<br />4. Phoenix Coyotes<br />3. Nashville Predators<br />2. New Orleans Hornets<br />1. Charlotte Bobcats</p> </blockquote> <p>Forbes based its selections on franchise valuations, revenue and attendance trends. But organizations playing in outdated arenas or stadiums -- the most common catalyst for team relocations over history -- have the strongest incentive to skip town (regardless of market) according to the business pub.</p> <blockquote> <p>While market size drives local sponsorship deals and TV money, souped-up venues that drive revenue through high ticket prices, luxury suites and corporate packages are the order of the day. You don't have that, you're not in the game.<br /><br />"The single biggest factor is ticket revenue, and a new venue is going to drive high-end ticket sales," says <strong>Bernie Mullin</strong>, who runs the Atlanta-based Aspire Group, an industry consultant.<br /><br />Not that many clubs are likely to pull up the stakes anytime soon. The tough economic environment should, at least in the short term, curtail the ability of sports franchises to play one market against another in search of a sweet stadium deal. The consumer appetite for muni bonds and taxpayer subsidies in support of sports venues may take awhile to bounce back.<br /><br />"Owners may not be able to shop their franchises around as much for awhile," says <strong>Shawn McBride</strong>, a vice president with Ketchum Sports Marketing.<br /><br />But ultimately, these things have a way of coming back around. Desirable landing places for struggling teams, Mullin believes, include Las Vegas and Orange County, Calif., (which has the goods for a state-of-the-art facility and enough people for a strong fan base despite the plethora of teams up the road in Los Angeles). He also thinks Kansas City, Mo., despite its modest size, is ripe for an NHL or NBA club.</p> </blockquote> <p>Which team in the four major sports do you think is next in line for relocation? Do team owners have any obligations to their home cities -- like a civic trust -- or do they have the right to treat their investments as a pure business?</p> 12822

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New York City 21244