He’s not even an owner yet – why would he know???
The NBA is not expanding anytime soon – why voluntarily create MORE competition for the talent, resulting in even higher salaries, which are nuts as they are?
Not to mention splitting the national tv revenue by another 2 teams.
Hanson’s only hope is relocation, which we know with the Sac debacle, ain’t happening any time soon. never say never but this is pretty darned close.
art thiel on
Ballmer is privy to nearly everything now. And expansion will be more plausible after Ballmer’s offer raised the value of every team, making the one-time expansion fee a serious chunk of money for all owners.
Al Wood's Ghost on
And perhaps pricing an expansion team out of reach? Thanks to Ballmer, getting a team here is now five to six times what it would have cost just to build an arena. Truly, NBA ownership is now exclusively a sport of kings, and I don’t mean Sacramento.
jafabian on
I interpreted that since he bailed on Chris Hansen’s group he didn’t believe the NBA would be approving a Seattle franchise anytime soon. The fact that Adam Silver has been pushing for expansion in Louisville pretty much puts the nail in the coffin on Seattle’s NBA hopes. Relocation won’t be an option since they were told don’t bother when they inquired about the availability of the Bucks and T-Wolves. The only hope for Hansen now is for a new commisioner to step in as that its painfully obvious Silver is continuing what Sterno has established for the NBA’s direction. Seattle is for the NBA what LA is for the NFL. What happens when cities don’t bow down to them.
art thiel on
I think Silver isn’t carrying the same baggage for Seattle. But his priority is making money, and if there’s an arena here with Hansen in charge, he will give an OK to expansion. And since expansion is usually done in tandem, there’s room for Louisville.
jafabian on
If Larry Ellison is seriously interested, and he’s flirted with the NBA in the past, San Jose will be the second city. No pro sports competition there. I also think the NBA would choose Virginia over Seattle for the same reasons.
RadioGuy on
Ballmer doesn’t know the latest on Seattle’s NBA chances because he’s been picking up the couch cushions looking for $2 billion to buy the Clippers with. That he walked away from Hansen’s group after Chris overplayed his hand and instead overpaid for a existing team he won’t move speaks volumes. He’ll support and vote for a future Seattle franchise as an owner but that’s really about as far as it goes now.
art thiel on
Actually, there isn’t much to know on Seattle’s chances. Until a new TV deal is in hand, no consideration will be given to expansion. And no team loks vulnerable to a move.
jafabian on
Too bad Chris Hansen can’t get in on that Root Sports action.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="2188059 https://sportspressnw.wpengine.com/?p=2188059">9 Comments
He’s not even an owner yet – why would he know???
The NBA is not expanding anytime soon – why voluntarily create MORE competition for the talent, resulting in even higher salaries, which are nuts as they are?
Not to mention splitting the national tv revenue by another 2 teams.
Hanson’s only hope is relocation, which we know with the Sac debacle, ain’t happening any time soon. never say never but this is pretty darned close.
Ballmer is privy to nearly everything now. And expansion will be more plausible after Ballmer’s offer raised the value of every team, making the one-time expansion fee a serious chunk of money for all owners.
And perhaps pricing an expansion team out of reach? Thanks to Ballmer, getting a team here is now five to six times what it would have cost just to build an arena. Truly, NBA ownership is now exclusively a sport of kings, and I don’t mean Sacramento.
I interpreted that since he bailed on Chris Hansen’s group he didn’t believe the NBA would be approving a Seattle franchise anytime soon. The fact that Adam Silver has been pushing for expansion in Louisville pretty much puts the nail in the coffin on Seattle’s NBA hopes. Relocation won’t be an option since they were told don’t bother when they inquired about the availability of the Bucks and T-Wolves. The only hope for Hansen now is for a new commisioner to step in as that its painfully obvious Silver is continuing what Sterno has established for the NBA’s direction. Seattle is for the NBA what LA is for the NFL. What happens when cities don’t bow down to them.
I think Silver isn’t carrying the same baggage for Seattle. But his priority is making money, and if there’s an arena here with Hansen in charge, he will give an OK to expansion. And since expansion is usually done in tandem, there’s room for Louisville.
If Larry Ellison is seriously interested, and he’s flirted with the NBA in the past, San Jose will be the second city. No pro sports competition there. I also think the NBA would choose Virginia over Seattle for the same reasons.
Ballmer doesn’t know the latest on Seattle’s NBA chances because he’s been picking up the couch cushions looking for $2 billion to buy the Clippers with. That he walked away from Hansen’s group after Chris overplayed his hand and instead overpaid for a existing team he won’t move speaks volumes. He’ll support and vote for a future Seattle franchise as an owner but that’s really about as far as it goes now.
Actually, there isn’t much to know on Seattle’s chances. Until a new TV deal is in hand, no consideration will be given to expansion. And no team loks vulnerable to a move.
Too bad Chris Hansen can’t get in on that Root Sports action.