Could the San Fernando Valley hold on to a NBA team?

[bringWallyBack]

This is an hypothetical situation that it's unlikely to happen with the biggest issue being that both the Lakers and Clippers would need to give permission for an expansion team.

First thing first, the Valley is an area part of LA County. There's almost 2 million people living in what is considered the Valley, which would put them in the area of a team like Detroit, Phoenix and Minnesota. There's no professional team not even a minor league team, but there is talent nonetheless from all sports, including the NBA.

Now, assuming both teams give the okay for a third LA team, how would it hold up? I understand that there are more deserving cities for an expansion but let's forget about that for a second.

Again, 2 million people and talent around the city.

The biggest issue would still be the other two NBA teams. They've been part of LA for decades and many fans bleed purple and gold. The Clippers have shown massive improvement over the last 20 years to have hardcore fans as many have been growing up watching the Paul and Griffin teams while the Lakers were on a timeout. It would take at the very least a whole generation or two to take those fans from them, especially if they get their act together and start winning again. Maybe, with the Clippers moving further away to the Inglewood area help disperse the Valley fans to focus more on a Valley team. Lakers are a whole different story. Massively hard to steal a fan who doesn't lose interest themselves

Something that might help them is who lives in the Valley, Stars. Celebrities. From the Shaqs to the Justin Beibers and even Michael Jackson's parents. Famous people and that can be an advantage to the team. Just like the new LA soccer team got a bunch of celebrities as team owners and launch a massive campaign to claim themselves as the LA team even though the LA Galaxy has been a professional team for almost 30 years. The new NBA team could launch themselves the same way especially if they are able to snag a top tier free agent from the get go.

Sorry for the long read, just some notes that needed to be brought up to make the point.

So again, would the San Fernando Valley be able to hold on to a professional NBA team?

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[Dennis 37]

I think the NBA should move all of its teams to New York and California.

[dorkestra]

They already have two teams to choose from. SFV is part of greater Los Angeles.

[Forte IV]

There's not even room in the valley for an arena. This is ridiculous because the valley is part of Los Angeles. It isn't it's own city.

[bringWallyBack]

I think the NBA should move all of its teams to New York and California.

With almost 60 million people combined in both states, seems like a great idea.

They already have two teams to choose from. SFV is part of greater Los Angeles.

That point is brought up in the original post.

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[azcatz11]

This is an hypothetical situation that it's unlikely to happen with the biggest issue being that both the Lakers and Clippers would need to give permission for an expansion team.

First thing first, the Valley is an area part of LA County. There's almost 2 million people living in what is considered the Valley, which would put them in the area of a team like Detroit, Phoenix and Minnesota. There's no professional team not even a minor league team, but there is talent nonetheless from all sports, including the NBA.

Now, assuming both teams give the okay for a third LA team, how would it hold up? I understand that there are more deserving cities for an expansion but let's forget about that for a second.

Again, 2 million people and talent around the city.

The biggest issue would still be the other two NBA teams. They've been part of LA for decades and many fans bleed purple and gold. The Clippers have shown massive improvement over the last 20 years to have hardcore fans as many have been growing up watching the Paul and Griffin teams while the Lakers were on a timeout. It would take at the very least a whole generation or two to take those fans from them, especially if they get their act together and start winning again. Maybe, with the Clippers moving further away to the Inglewood area help disperse the Valley fans to focus more on a Valley team. Lakers are a whole different story. Massively hard to steal a fan who doesn't lose interest themselves

Something that might help them is who lives in the Valley, Stars. Celebrities. From the Shaqs to the Justin Beibers and even Michael Jackson's parents. Famous people and that can be an advantage to the team. Just like the new LA soccer team got a bunch of celebrities as team owners and launch a massive campaign to claim themselves as the LA team even though the LA Galaxy has been a professional team for almost 30 years. The new NBA team could launch themselves the same way especially if they are able to snag a top tier free agent from the get go.

Sorry for the long read, just some notes that needed to be brought up to make the point.

So again, would the San Fernando Valley be able to hold on to a professional NBA team?

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lol Even Michael Jacksons' parents huh?

[bringWallyBack]

There's not even room in the valley for an arena. This is ridiculous because the valley is part of Los Angeles. It isn't it's own city.

Woodland Hills.

Dodgers wanted to build a minor league team stadium by the Promenade some years ago. That's where the idea came from.

Heck, even all the farm area by Pierce College.

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[Blacksheep25]

Besides the obvious barriers you mentioned, why does local talent matter? It’s the NBA? If you were making an argument why some college in the Valley will be a coming powerhouse, local talent matters. Even if you have a talent-laden area, where NBA guys come from is rather random. We happen to have some great LA players atm, but there was entire decades where there wasn’t a LA native superstar. Thinking 2 million in population would produce NBA talent is strange and really doesnt matter anyway. It’s a league of 450 guys from every corner of the globe.

If you had an existing team would it wither up and die? Probably not. There’s a lot of people there and people like attending NBA games. Like the Clippers can draw, but don’t they do particularly poorly on local tv? It’s a Lakers town. I prefer the Clippers, but neither are my team and I’m not from there. I imagine every kid in the valley grows up a Lakers fan, and even if not, they have the Clippers. There’s a lot to do in LA. If they first by miracle got a team, then got good, I’m sure the better would be there, but when they weren’t good, it would fall off.

[geminiz]

Lol for a sec I thought u said San Bernardino, I'm like that place is broke man.

San Fernando is still in LA so I don't think so. Even if other owners are ok, pretty sure Seattle, Vancouver, heck even Vegas would be way ahead before SoCal has another team. San Diego or OC would be more suitable even if a third team is coming there.

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[The Laker Kid]

Can’t wait for Pacoima Cholos to beat up the LA Clippers

I live in the valley. Traffic is horrendous during rush hour. People from LA would have a tough time getting to the arena since most games would coincide with people coming home from work. Unlike Staples Center which is located next to 10,101 and 110, the Valley has no easy access to the outside world.

[LightTheBeam]

There's not even room in the valley for an arena. This is ridiculous because the valley is part of Los Angeles. It isn't it's own city.

Woodland Hills.

Dodgers wanted to build a minor league team stadium by the Promenade some years ago. That's where the idea came from.

Heck, even all the farm area by Pierce College.

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I lived in the valley for awhile and my brothers, dad, and his whole side still live between Calabasas and Sherman oaks lol.

I dont see this as a real option. Most these people are Lakers fans. Also when I was in high school I went to el camino real in woodland hills. Most the kids there were more into Chivas vs Americas than the Lakers vs the celtics.

Plus it's just not a very sexy area.

[Cactus Jack]

OP, Why do you hate us!?

Spoiler:

[teke184]

Why triple up on LA when there are other locations to be capitalized on?

For one thing, the territory fees that would need to be paid out to the Lakers and/or Clippers would be backbreaking. While a different era, the Nets coming from the ABA into the NBA were forced to pay a territory fee so large to the Knicks that they were forced to trade off stars like Dr J to pay it.


For another, there are cities capable of supporting one team not currently having one, with Seattle, Vegas, Vancouver, etc near the top of the list.


For a third, if you were to put another team in an existing city, why not Chicago which is about the third largest city in the country, has a huge basketball culture, and has had a LOT of problems post-Jordan due to ownership and management.

It is the largest city with only a single team as opposed to NYC and LA.

[clyde21]

i have a better idea, no LA teams at all

[Pelon chingon]

Fresno didnt want apart of that?

[Clemenza]

I remember the Kings were kicking the tires on moving to Anaheim before they got their new arena built. LA could easily support a third NBA team just like I'm sure NY could support a third baseball team. It would never happen though.

[postaboy84]

i have a better idea, no LA teams at all

No LA teams then No NBA.


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[clyde21]

i have a better idea, no LA teams at all

No LA teams then No ESPN


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Fify... two birds

[levon]

i have a better idea, no LA teams at all

No LA teams then No ESPN


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Fify... two birds

fight the good fight dude

[clyde21]

No LA teams then No ESPN


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Fify... two birds

fight the good fight dude

jk I got a lot of homies in LA that would be pissed