Truth & Rumors > NBA

Hoops vs. Bowling at the White House?

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11:44 AM ET 12.19 | During the campaign, Mr. Obama said he planned to replace the White House bowling alley -- installed by Richard Nixon in 1969 -- with an indoor basketball court. (There is a tiny outdoor court at the White House adjacent to the tennis court on the southwest side.) National Basketball Association officials have reached out to members of the transition team to offer their services in installing a regulation court at the White House. If "there is an upgrading of the basketball facilities at the White House, you can be assured that the NBA and the players will be there," says NBA Commissioner David Stern. Not everyone is excited about basketball's arrival as the semiofficial sport of the White House. The bowling lobby is concerned that talk of removing the White House lane -- which was built under the north driveway -- will have a negative impact on their sport. In an effort to change the president's mind, top bowling associations have offered to refurbish the lane with a state-of-the-art scoring system, high-tech bowling balls designed to grip the lane and a digital surround-sound system.

WSJ.com

, Bill Frakes/SI Bill Frakes/SI
December 19, 2008  11:57 AM ET

I'm just going to sit and wait for the racially insensitive posts. Because that train is never late.

December 19, 2008  12:07 PM ET

Alright only a few hours left to join the nba fantasy draft, 4 spots left

http://www.fannation.com/blogs/post/305039-fantasy-bball-nba-fan z-style

December 19, 2008  12:08 PM ET

Let the President play basketball if he so wishes. Rednecks bowl right, oh and Chris Paul...

I guess i went bowling for dates alot, the ladies go down the lane and its all legs baby.

December 19, 2008  12:32 PM ET

to hell with bowling long live basketball

December 19, 2008  01:06 PM ET

The "Bowling lobby"? My god, Brunswick is now hiring lobbyists? What is this world coming to?

The President-Elect should move forward with installing the basketball courts. He doesn't like bowling, and neither did President Bush, for what was reported, so they might as well just replace the lanes with a court.

And I agree, Rusty. It is only a matter of time before the racists crawl out from underneath their rocks and, emboldened from the fact that they can hide behind their computer and spew at will without consequence, throw trash at the President-elect of the United States that has nothing to do with either this topic, his policies, or his personality.

December 19, 2008  01:24 PM ET

Geez...I like bowling, but I'd rather shoot some hoop anytime! Screw the bowling 'lobby'...put in a full court and get some games goin!

December 19, 2008  01:36 PM ET

What the flock? Put in the b-ball court.

December 19, 2008  02:02 PM ET

The space doesn't look wide enough or high enough for a b-ball court. I say leave the lane and learn to bowl (he bowled a 37 on the campaign trail). Put in a court somewhere else in the White House. Build a full court underground if you can't change the structure (It's probably landmarked).

BTW, Nixon couldn't really bowl either. He just thought it was a way to connect with the "common man".

December 19, 2008  02:18 PM ET

I didnt know bowling was a sport... i thought it was a boring game to be played between one beer and another when there is nothing better to do...

December 19, 2008  02:35 PM ET

if he does it with his own money- fine
otherwise....I don't need to see 1.7 mil of MY tax dollars
go to a home renovation....join a damn gym

December 19, 2008  02:44 PM ET

The hell with bowling... Basketball is the real deal

December 19, 2008  03:18 PM ET

Glad to see first post was proved wrong so far...we are actually changing who would've thunk?

December 19, 2008  03:44 PM ET

Bout time we had a baller in the white house. Oh yeah twas what i'm talkin bout!

December 19, 2008  03:45 PM ET
QUOTE(#10):

if he does it with his own money- fineotherwise....I don't need to see 1.7 mil of MY tax dollarsgo to a home renovation....join a damn gym

If the NBA continues to push it, they'd spring for it..and then get a bailout later! lol

December 19, 2008  03:45 PM ET
QUOTE(#1):

I'm just going to sit and wait for the racially insensitive posts. Because that train is never late.

You already know.

December 19, 2008  05:25 PM ET

Barack is also going to get rid of Bush's "Beer Pong" set-up in favor of a foosball table. He still hasn't mentioned if he will shut down Dick Cheney's shooting range.

December 19, 2008  05:46 PM ET

I'm really glad to see he is focusing on the important issues like which private school to send his kids, distancing himself from Tony Rezko, Rev, Wright, and Rob Blagojevich, and what he will be doing for recreation in the White House.

He probably has the schedules already set for previewing films before their premieres. Ah to be rich and powerful.

I wonder how soon before he sets up no election necessary political offices for his children.

December 19, 2008  05:56 PM ET
QUOTE(#16):

Barack is also going to get rid of Bush's "Beer Pong" set-up in favor of a foosball table. He still hasn't mentioned if he will shut down Dick Cheney's shooting range.

Good One. Didn't vote for him but as the incomming Prez. its his perogative. Wants to put in a court, go for it. Its the govt they are going to waste money on something might as well be a Bball court.

December 19, 2008  06:36 PM ET
QUOTE(#9):

I didnt know bowling was a sport... i thought it was a boring game to be played between one beer and another when there is nothing better to do...

lol lol lol

 
December 19, 2008  06:56 PM ET

well played, rusty

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