How long until the NBA expands?

[lars_rosenberg]

Move the Nets to Seattle, a good excuse to gift them a couple lottery picks and stop this shame.

[Cactus Jack]

This will never happen so expanison is out of the question. The players own the leaugue and that wont change.

Okay, Ernie.

[Ugly0598]

I don't think there's a team in the league seriously looking at a new arena, no? Pistons are moving to a new arena, Bucks building a new one, Jazz putting heavy renovations.

[Cactus Jack]

I don't think there's a team in the league seriously looking at a new arena, no? Pistons are moving to a new arena, Bucks building a new one, Jazz putting heavy renovations.

Ballmer has made comments about the Clippers possibly having their own arena in the future. But, yes. No teams needing new arena's. Which is why the question of relocation was raised. Seattle is on the verge of having a new arena approved. Along with a potential owner wanting to bring a team back to the city. Expansion is best bet.

[Ugly0598]

I don't think there's a team in the league seriously looking at a new arena, no? Pistons are moving to a new arena, Bucks building a new one, Jazz putting heavy renovations.

Ballmer has made comments about the Clippers possibly having their own arena in the future. But, yes. No teams needing new arena's. Which is why the question of relocation was raised. Seattle is on the verge of having a new arena approved. Along with a potential owner wanting to bring a team back to the city. Expansion is best bet.

Really wish they'd build one in San Diego (the one they have now is old and not up to date), or move to Anaheim. I bet the Clippers are getting a decent deal at the Staples Center tho.

I like the odds of Seattle getting a team, but their politicians seem hellbent against the Sonics for some reason.

[jimmy keys]

The NBA will definitely expand to 32 teams eventually. For all the people who claim the league should retract, how would that work exactly? Explain the economics behind that idea, otherwise stop suggesting it.

[Ugly0598]

And I didn't realize the Clippers are trying to build a new arena. Nice to see Ballmer actually wants the Clippers to be a viable franchise and not this 2nd rate LA team that Sterling fielded for a number of years.

Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has begun to explore potential sites for a new Clippers arena, multiple NBA sources said.

The Clippers would neither confirm nor deny they are actively searching for a location, but one NBA source said that an area that piques the franchise's interest is Los Angeles' west side.

The Clippers have been co-tenants of Staples Center, owned and operated by Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), with the Los Angeles Lakers and the NHL's Los Angeles Kings since the facility opened in downtown Los Angeles prior to the 1999-2000 NBA season. In January 2013, the Clippers agreed to a 10-year extension of their lease that would keep the team at Staples Center until June 2024. Sources say any move by the Clippers would come after they fulfill the term of the current lease.

A new facility owned and operated by the team would afford the Clippers greater power to maximize earning opportunities, from sponsorship to licensing fees. As the owner of Staples Center, AEG retains control over naming rights, the business operations of running the facility for events and other substantial revenue streams like concessions.

Sources with knowledge of the Clippers' lease agreement said that, in many regards, the team operates as Staples Center's "third tenant," a condition that's becoming increasingly tiresome to the organization. The Clippers receives a smaller share of proceeds from suites and club seats than the Lakers and Kings, according to sources, and a lesser say in scheduling and the overall fan experience at the arena.

In 2015, Ballmer told the Los Angeles Times, "We're third guy in, we have third choice in dates. If you are a good businessman, you don't come to the end of your lease and say, 'I have no options, landlord, please take me to the woodshed and beat me.' We'll have options."

At Geekwire's Sports Tech Summit two weeks ago, Ballmer spoke about the potential for innovation at NBA arenas, enumerating advancements ranging from upgraded broadband capacity to "an augmented reality experience."

During the 45-minute talk, Ballmer noted that the Clippers don't own Staples Center and therefore can craft only so much of the fan experience, from concessions to an outlay the capital investment required to install the necessary technological infrastructure.

"We don't own our arena, so a lot of things about fan experience -- food and beverage -- they're not on our list because, frankly, we get what we get from AEG, who owns Staples Center," Ballmer said.

In addition to the various revenue opportunities inside the arena, the construction of a new home for the Clippers would enable Ballmer to develop the surrounding area. AEG has profited from the evolution of the LA Live entertainment and office complex across the street from Staples Center, and Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke -- who also owns the Denver Nuggets -- has similar aspirations for the property adjacent to City of Champions Stadium, the Rams' new home slated to open in 2019.

The Clippers don't currently own their training center, and a source with knowledge of the organization's vision said a new arena complex would very likely include a new practice facility.

Building a new arena in the Los Angeles area comes with major challenges, which would start with finding a site with ample acreage for the arena and parking, followed by a process that would include environmental impact reports and submitting thorough plans to the municipality.

In addition to Staples Center, the Los Angeles basin is already home to several major sporting venues, including the Forum in Inglewood. It is currently undergoing a massive upgrade by the Madison Square Garden Company, whose executive chairman is James Dolan, owner of the New York Knicks.

One league source said the Clippers have identified six locations, all in southern California. At the Geekwise Sports Tech Summit, Ballmer emphasized he had no plans to relocate the Clippers.

"The Clippers are not going anywhere, ever," Ballmer said. "I will die owning the L.A. Clippers in Los Angeles."

[Cactus Jack]

I don't think there's a team in the league seriously looking at a new arena, no? Pistons are moving to a new arena, Bucks building a new one, Jazz putting heavy renovations.

Ballmer has made comments about the Clippers possibly having their own arena in the future. But, yes. No teams needing new arena's. Which is why the question of relocation was raised. Seattle is on the verge of having a new arena approved. Along with a potential owner wanting to bring a team back to the city. Expansion is best bet.

I like the odds of Seattle getting a team, but their politicians seem hellbent against the Sonics for some reason.

Legislation was passed a decade ago (2006/07), that makes public funding for stadiums almost impossible. This is why the team left in the first place. The new Seattle ownership group has offered to make it fully private (No public funding of any kind). Therefore, its expected to pass this year, when the city votes on it (in the Spring/Summer).

The city has been against any type of public funding & so it was voted down previously. The Port of Seattle has also been trying to fight the Arena location. It's all politics. The hope is that by going fully private this time, it will pass.

[Cactus Jack]

The NBA will definitely expand to 32 teams eventually. For all the people who claim the league should retract, how would that work exactly? Explain the economics behind that idea, otherwise stop suggesting it.

It wouldn't! I'm sure those same fans would be against it, if it was their own team on the chopping block. It's just bs.

[Alienware]

Of course the league is expanding, the economics allow it, hell it almost demands it, way too much money around with the new TV deal. Seattle is definitely getting one, and my guess on the other is Louisville. Just too soon for Mexico City. Something that definitely might happen, but not for another 15 or 20 years.

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[Cactus Jack]

Of course the league is expanding, the economics allow it, hell it almost demands it, way to much money around with the new TV deal. Seattle is definitely getting one, and my guess on the other is Louisville. Just too soon for Mexico City. Something that definitely might happen, but not another 15 or 20 years.

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Go Hawks!

[Thundershock88]

The league does not need to expand. Talent is too condensed as it is. Needs a reduction, if anything.

[Alienware]

Of course the league is expanding, the economics allow it, hell it almost demands it, way to much money around with the new TV deal. Seattle is definitely getting one, and my guess on the other is Louisville. Just too soon for Mexico City. Something that definitely might happen, but not another 15 or 20 years.

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Go Hawks!

Yeah, let's hope to be back in contention next year with an healthy Earl Thomas and luckily a bolstered offensive line.

[KingFox]

Seattle absolutely deserves it. can someone explain to me how moving to OKC was a good idea with the kind of market they
have in Seattle? i still dont understand why the owners wanted that

[Cactus Jack]

Seattle absolutely deserves it. can someone explain to me how moving to OKC was a good idea with the kind of market they
have in Seattle? i still dont understand why the owners wanted that

Are we talking the league owners? Or team owners? Because the team was sold to OKC businessman. Who bought the team to move it to Oklahoma. Seattle politics also got in the way. Which cleared the path for the team to leave.

Kevin Johnson pretty much saved the Kings from leaving Sacramento. Seattle meanwhile, didn't have a former NBA player as mayor. The city wasn't willing to fund a stadium with tax payer dollars.

[fg4814]

I don't think it's a good idea to expand in the next two years. With the current salary cap, it's financially detrimental.

I don't think any teams will be relocating either as there's no real point to it currently.

However, if the league does expand within the next decade, you can expect Seattle to get the Sonics back; the fans deserve it.
As for Mexico City, I'm not sure the league is going to go to those lengths just yet; Louisville is a safer bet.

[Mkdaman1818]

Expansion makes sense only if you remove the max salary concept. You'll see stars spread throughout the league if they can make $50-$60 mil against a cap as opposed to a forced $25-$30 million, where teams can then sign 2 or more max players.

[Mr. E]

If theres any team that should move its the clippers. They could stay in LA area , Anhiem or go to Las Vages. Both are sure money makers.

As a Lakers fan you should be more aware than anyone just how valuable the LA market is compared to other parts of the country. The only place in the U.S. the Clippers could move and match or exceed the value of being in the Los Angeles market is New York.

It is great that there are reports that the Clips are looking to build their own arena; but if anyone thinks that they're leaving Los Angeles for Seattle, Las Vegas, Louisville or anywhere else...don't hold your breath. The Clippers are not leaving Los Angeles.

Personally, I would like to see the NBA expand by two teams within the next 3-5 years. My choices would be the obvious Seattle choice (if they can't get an arena then build one in Olympia, Tacoma or elsewhere in the Puget Sound region; and then one of Las Vegas. Vancouver or Montreal. I'm not sold on Louisville, Kansas City or St. Louis as expansion options at this time. I think that they would be making a mistake by expanding to Mexico City at this current time. Maybe when they go to 36 then do so. In the meantime, up the number of regular season games played in Mexico City. Try to get it up to 15 games per season and see how that goes.

[Mr. E]

Seattle absolutely deserves it. can someone explain to me how moving to OKC was a good idea with the kind of market they
have in Seattle? i still dont understand why the owners wanted that

Cactus Jack and others have provided some historical context on what happened with the Sonics move. OKC was not just a random choice, or the luck of the draw that an OKC businessman bought the team. The city was able to prove their support for a professional sports team franchise at the expense of New Orleans being displaced for a year. The city may not have the same corporate base or population than other countries; but they acquit themselves well and have been very supportive of the city's only professional sports franchise (well, other than the Oklahoma Sooners football program) for many years now.

I lived in Seattle for a while and there was a huge, passionate fanbase. There is also some of the most messed-up local politics involved in an NBA city. The Sonics may have been beloved in the Puget Sound area, but they were not a priority for local politicians, and that as much as anything cost them their team.

I have a lot of empathy for our friends in Seattle as I went through what they did back in the 90's. Houston is probably the most football-crazy city in the most football-crazy state in the USA; and we lost our team to the itty-bitty state of Tennessee. Local issues, politics and problems with ownership are not a good mix. That said, as much as I hate the fake-Oilers, I am cool with all of their fans. They are football fans who got the opportunity to get a team. I think that a lot of Sonics fans feel the same way about the OKC fans, or at least I hope so. Of course, I got most of my anger out in the pre-internet forum/chat/social media days; plus we had that incredible cathartic moment of watching Kevin Dyson reaching in vain for the end zone and failing. God, that was beautiful!!!

[RalphWiggum]

I could see blazers heading north to Seattle for a bigger market.

Stop. No team is moving.

The only team I could see moving are the Grizzlies and even that is a real long shot.