To makes jobs in new CBA, Stern looks overseas (We are looking at you Euroleague)
Lost in all this lockout nonsense was something Stern said in this last update, and is leaking out with the bargaining updates, is Stern is promising more (if lower paying jobs) by coming up with 5 more teams, the "Euro Division" Stern said he expected it within 7-10 years, and that it could be some current NBA teams moving if not viable, but he'd like expansion teams. I don't know if you all remembered when this came around last time, but London, Barcelona, Paris, Rome and some other city that is not clicking in my brain right now were mentioned as possible locations.
What do you all think? Is this viable? Would the markets support teams? Would fans of the product there gravatate toward the NBA? (I'm a soccer fan, and if you put a superior team in NYC from a superior league, i'd dance a happy dance).
I thought it was a interesting point lost in all the anger everyone has over the impending stupidity.
Re: To makes jobs in new CBA, Stern looks overseas (We are looking at you Euroleague)
Quote:
Originally Posted by da dream
There is no need to contract teams. If the NBA just takes its worse 6-8 teams and puts them overseas and forms a europe division, then they will all make money. If teams like memphis, sacramento, minnesota, new orleans, etc were each to move to London, Barcelona, Moscow, Berlin, etc. then all those teams would make a ton of money. Imagine the amount a revenue an NBA team can make by being the only team in its country? Just look at toronto, they were awful this year (22 wins) and had no "superstar" and they finished 19 out of 30 in attendance. Meanwhile teams like Atlanta and Indiana who made the playoffs were a lot worse.
Large cities are the key, and if the NBA can take advantage of larger markets over seas, than they should do it.
I posted this a few days ago in another thread. The NBA is a global sports and it makes sense to place teams in different cities throughout the world. It would make the NBA a lot more money.
Stern said on the Mike Francesa show (6/23) That he eventually sees teams in europe and in order to do it, there would have to be several teams to make travel easier.
Re: To makes jobs in new CBA, Stern looks overseas (We are looking at you Euroleague)
I don't think we're ready for that yet. Unless, some of the higher up professional Euro teams join the NBA. They would keep their current players under contract that have their rights secured by a current NBA team or something like that. The talent as it is right now, can barely maintain the 30 teams. adding 5 more would be terrible.
Re: To makes jobs in new CBA, Stern looks overseas (We are looking at you Euroleague)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rose
I don't think we're ready for that yet. Unless, some of the higher up professional Euro teams join the NBA. They would keep their current players under contract that have their rights secured by a current NBA team or something like that. The talent as it is right now, can barely maintain the 30 teams. adding 5 more would be terrible.
I agree adding teams is a terrible idea. But relocating small market teams overseas is a great idea.
Re: To makes jobs in new CBA, Stern looks overseas (We are looking at you Euroleague)
i feel for fans who lose a team, but really some of the smaller markets don't deserve a team. NO for one. THat team doesn't draw well, their tickets are dirt cheap, ridiculously cheap and they still barely ever have good crowds. There is very little coverage there, people could give a rats ass about them. NO losing it's team is honestly not a big deal.
Ideally i think 4 new teams should be made and 2 relocate, with the 4 new teams being 3 euro teams and Vancouver.
Re: To makes jobs in new CBA, Stern looks overseas (We are looking at you Euroleague)
I've always thought they should discontinue the D-League and buy a couple of the smaller teams in big Euro competitions. (or start new ones with the competitions approval) The D-League as it exists today is a very flawed system that barely has added value to the NBA. Simply buy 10 European teams and send all your project players there.
Aside from the initial investment, it's a win-win situation. Players who need to develop get to play against legitimate professional competition. Teams actually would benefit from sending their young talents to Europe as opposed to sending them to the D-League. FIBA basketball gets a new influx of talent and publicity. It works for every party.
(last but not least the players. Where would you rather get sent? The Idaho Stampede where you get to play the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in Idaho, or Alicante where you get to play Real Madrid and Barcelona in Spain?)
Re: To makes jobs in new CBA, Stern looks overseas (We are looking at you Euroleague)
Quote:
Originally Posted by da dream
Who cares about alienating franchises. Seriously the fans you lose in those small markets is nothing compared to the fans you will gain overseas.
Here's an example. Does the average fan really care that the Sonics moved? Not really, only the Sonics fans, and people like myself who would rather see a new arena built for a team IF it has history there. Instead of being stolen by a lying sack of shit rich owner. Because Stern wants to expand the market. And I know I'm not alone. There's quite a few real true NBA fans, that are upset the Sonics moved, as opposed to a team like say the Nets who really outside of the Kidd era, haven't done shit since the ABA. Why should a team who has a somewhat rich history be moved? As opposed to a team with no real history? and it's being overshadowed by a team in it's vicinity.
And then you have to decide which franchises. Logically you start with the sucky ones. like the Bobcats, Twolves, Raptors.
Bobcats? MJ just bought them.
TWolves? Mikan fought tooth and nail to get a franchise there, so they probably won't move for awhile
Toronto? It's actually a viable market and sells tickets.
so then you have to move up. say...
Cleveland, Sacramento, New Jersey
Cleveland? They just proved (mostly because they're bitter as hell, and the season ticket deals had to be renewed pre-bronzy sells out) that they'll still attend games, and support a bad product. plus they now have some young talent.
Sacramento? Alright maybe. It depends on if they're serious about getting a new arena, we'll see shortly.
New Jersey? They lucked out with getting placed by NY so they get fans, and have a nice TV deal. etc etc.
then you go on and on. And it's hard to find a way to NOT alienate someone eventually. Because Yes you will probably pick up new fans in that area. BUT will they stick around if their team sucks? Adjust to the NBA rules, as opposed to FIBA.
Overall, I think it's a sticky situation, and we need to wait probably 10-15 years before expanding to Europe.
Re: To makes jobs in new CBA, Stern looks overseas (We are looking at you Euroleague)
The problem with relocating teams is travel. Say the Bobcats or Hornets are moved to Europe. Then whomever has to play them will be extremely jetlagged. Not to mention that the Hornets/Bobcats would be jetlagged too. Then you have to work out schedules because it is not possible to play in Europe one night and have a back to back in NJ the next night.
Then what if they happen to make the playoffs? Thn you are talking about TV problems, etc.....
Re: To makes jobs in new CBA, Stern looks overseas (We are looking at you Euroleague)
It would have to be that all the teams would have one or two European swings where they play all their games against the European teams and then resume their normal schedule.
I think the teams Stern wants are:
London
Berlin
Rome
Barcelona
Athens
Re: To makes jobs in new CBA, Stern looks overseas (We are looking at you Euroleague)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Locked_Up_Tonight
The problem with relocating teams is travel. Say the Bobcats or Hornets are moved to Europe. Then whomever has to play them will be extremely jetlagged. Not to mention that the Hornets/Bobcats would be jetlagged too. Then you have to work out schedules because it is not possible to play in Europe one night and have a back to back in NJ the next night.
Then what if they happen to make the playoffs? Thn you are talking about TV problems, etc.....
Quit frankly it is a pipedream.
Its not a pipedream. Stern said so himself in 10 years he expects to have multiple teams in europe. This way teams will go to europe for 2-3 weeks, play each team, and then come back stateside. You wouldnt see teams flying out there just for one game.
TV deals are all negotable, and quite frankly the amount of money you make in a larger market overseas is a lot more than you do from a local tv deal in say a indiana.
Imagine having a league of 30 NY/LA market types where the resources are unlimited. The NBA would make a ridiculous amount of money.
To makes jobs in new CBA, Stern looks overseas (We are looking at you Euroleague)
