Tuesday March 17 2009 – 12:00pm Eastern (Toronto, ON)
After sitting in the Time Warner Cable Arena last night – with an announced crowd of just over 11,000 people (and it was closer to 5 or 6 thousand – trust me) – I feel like I need to remind folks of a promise I made on the “Hoops” show last season.
I am willing to put $20,000 of my own money on the table to help bring an NBA franchise back to Canada – specifically, in Vancouver. The folks in BC should have never lost their team and it’s time they got one back!
Admittedly, I don’t have a lot of cash. In fact, I really don’t know how I’d raise $2000 let alone $20,000 – but I’ll find a way. If I have to cash-in a GIC or an RRSP I’ll do so; I’ll even take out a 2ND mortgage on my home. But whatever it takes, I’ll put up $20k to help bring an NBA team back to Vancouver.
Paul Jones is in for $20 G’s as well and if memory serves me right, I’ve got Jack Armstrong committed to the same dollar figure too.
So that’s $60,000 between the 3 of us. We’re the minority owners.
But now comes the hard part …
We need a majority owner. I’m thinking we need about $249, 940,000. So if there’s anybody out there with just under $250 million kicking around – give us a call or drop us an email or something!
Yes, the economy in the U.S. is brutal right now (and it’s terrible in Canada too), so it’s somewhat understandable that a lot of markets in the NBA are struggling to sell tickets and draw fans. But my gut tells me that even a strong economy wouldn’t save some places – like Charlotte and Memphis (and a handful of others I’m sure). Thus, why not undo Michael Heisley’s major mistake and bring a team back to Vancouver? A multi-cultural basketball hotbed like Van-city deserves another crack at the NBA.
And in all seriousness, if a solid and stable ownership group would step up in Canada, there’s no reason to think that Vancouver couldn’t be or shouldn’t be a serious contender for a franchise alongside other cities like Seattle, Las Vegas, or Kansas City.
$60,000 and counting.
E. Smith
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If I had an extra quarter of a billion dollars laying around, I’d definitely pitch in. A little Canadian competition might push the Raps top brass to put together a more competitive team.
- SPorterI’m 100% with you Eric. Living in Calgary I think about that almost daily; how it would be to have a team on the west coast (Vancouver).
I still remember clearly that Michael Heisley’s press conference, after he became an owner, where he promised to the city and to the grizzlies fans that the franchise isn’t going anywhere from Vancouver.
We deserve another chance, more than any other city (other than maybe Seattle).
- DCEric, If I Had that kind of coin, I’d invest all of it for you three and let you guys run the darn thing. You have an insight that would do well to run an organization. Any thoughts of getting a presentation together and heading to the “Dragon’s Den” maybe they can hook it up?
- Lanny from WhitbyEric, imagine every single NBA fan in Canada pitching in a minimum of a loonie or a toonie (im sure many would pitch more).
- Behzadthat could make up a ton of that 250 million as well
I hope Las Vegas never gets an NBA franchise.
- TomGfromBramptonDo you think Montreal could support an NBA team ? .
- Chas Calzhow about ott
- ginomassariBehzad,
That’s an awesome idea. Eric, get an account started!
- d.tI think we should all pitch in and get a team for Toronto……sorry, Mohitos from the pool talkin’ :-)
- GaryI hate to steal your thunder Behzad, but I’ve actually suggest that before.
In fact, my idea was for amateur sports in Canada – period. It’s a debate that rages around the Olympics that much more.
Think of it this way — if every man, woman and child was responsible for $10/year (less than $1 per month), we’d be able to inject $300+ million into sports in this country EVERY year
Problem is (well, not “problem” … but … ) that some folks wouldn’t want another tax … let alone a ‘tax’ that is going to sports and not health care, etc.
- E. SmithMontreal … possibly. Ottawa … no. But the bottom line is that Vancouver should still be the top choice. They got fleeced out of their franchise the first time — it never should have left. On top of that, that market specifically would be basketball-strong that much more these days.
- E. SmithMontreal should be considered always for any major franchise. Vancouver is normally a distant three for Canadian city’s in my mind but not now that Seattle is gone.
- Rob from brantfordI’m helping you get the word out, Eric:
http://petemarasmitch.com/2009/03/help-e-smith-bring-the-nba-back-to-vancouver.html
- Jeff WHa! Thanks Jeff
- E. SmithBut which franchise would be giving up their city in order for Vancouver to get back an NBA team.
- Steven