(01-24-2013 07:12 PM)PirateTreasureNC Wrote: (01-24-2013 06:40 PM)ShockerBob Wrote: (01-24-2013 01:46 PM)Chappy Wrote: I hope this means the return of the Charlotte Hornets.
This.
And we get the Sonics back.
I did applaud Seattle not being held hostage by owners trying to get sweetheart deals off the city's tax base.
Ironic thing is cities that lost professional franchises (many which put up a hard stance on public $$$ for new stadiums/arenas) end up paying MORE money to get those sports' teams back.
St Louis played hardball with their NFL Team (Cardinals), so the Cards moved to Arizona...but STL ended up paying more $$$$ to get the LA Rams.
Cleveland, played hardball with the Browns...so the Browns bolted to Baltimore and became the Ravens...but then Cleveland offered up even more $$$$ to get a NFL expansion team, the NEW Browns.
Charlotte played hardball with their NBA Owner who wanted to move from the suburbs to downtown...so the Hornets moved to New Orleans...then after a few years, Charlotte ends up spending MORE $$$$ to start up the Bobcats in a new downtown arena.
Houston played hardball with the Oilers...so the Oilers bolted to Tennessee...then after a few years...Houston ends up spending more $$$ to land an expansion team to bring NFL football back to Houston.
Minneapolis/St Paul, MN...played hardball with the NorthStars...so the Stars bolted to Texas....only to see St Paul (with help from the State) pledge a new Arena to bring NHL back to the Twin Cities.
Seattle...played hardball with the Sonics...so the Sonics moved to OKC...but now, Seattle seems very willing to do almost ANYTHING to get the Kings to bring NBA Basketball back to Seattle (with a new Arena).
Hard public stances are nice...but sadly in the end...cities bend over backwards to land professional franchises, especially if their city lost them in the past.