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what is the status of the D league team?
Posted on 4/22/18 at 1:26 pm
Posted on 4/22/18 at 1:26 pm
has anyone seen anything new on this?
I thought it was Pensacola for sure...is there an arena issue there?
I thought it was Pensacola for sure...is there an arena issue there?
Posted on 4/22/18 at 1:31 pm to cgrand
I heard an offhand comment about 1-2 months ago quoting Demps that the GLeague team wouldn't happen next year as planned. There weren't any details and I think it was from the telecast because if it was from an article I'd have posted it. That's the only place I've seen/heard mention of it, but if I didn't dream it, it was a legit source and a story that has slipped through the cracks.
This post was edited on 4/22/18 at 1:31 pm
Posted on 4/22/18 at 1:37 pm to TigerinATL
I heard the County Commission couldn’t put together the funding for new stadium/stadium upgrades for the Bay Center, so it is dead in the water right now.
Posted on 4/22/18 at 1:41 pm to NOFOX
I thought there was an arena ready to go?
unless I’m thinking of someplace else
unless I’m thinking of someplace else
Posted on 5/21/18 at 9:36 am to cgrand
nothing new?
i guess we can assume this isnt happening this year
i guess we can assume this isnt happening this year
Posted on 5/21/18 at 10:02 am to cgrand
My understanding is that after the Pels decided on Pensacola, the Escambia County Commission did not pony up the funding necessary for the facility.
Pels Waiting on Escambia County (January 2018)
After that meeting the County Commission basically iced the vote on financing the arena and did so again last week (May 2018):
Proposed PEnsacola Center on Life Support
The Commission brought the Arena up last week likely at the Pels request, but without any movement I think the Pels are redirecting their search for a G-League city:
Escambia Commission Needs to Find a Solution for Bay Center Proposal (May 2018)
That last article really lays out the process so far in getting funding approval for the Arena.
Pels Waiting on Escambia County (January 2018)
quote:
A representative of the New Orleans Pelicans told the Escambia County Commission on Thursday that the sports franchise likes Pensacola and the team is waiting for the county to decide on the future of the Bay Center before it chooses where to locate its new NBA G League team.
Stephen Pate, director of governmental affairs for the Saints and Pelicans teams, was in the audience at the commission's Committee of the Whole meeting Thursday during a discussion on a proposal for a new $65 million to $90 million arena and youth sports field house when commissioners asked Pate to come forward and address the board.
Pate told commissioners a discussion on the team's plans and where the team will play can begin once the county makes a decision on how to move forward.
After that meeting the County Commission basically iced the vote on financing the arena and did so again last week (May 2018):
Proposed PEnsacola Center on Life Support
quote:
The Escambia County Commission decided not to vote Thursday night on an agreement to build a proposed $80 million arena and youth sports complex, leaving the proposal, as the chairman of the commission said, "on life support."
Commission Chairman Jeff Bergosh told the News Journal before the meeting Thursday that if the commission decided not to vote he thought it would be dead.
"If we can't come together and say let's do a financial analysis, let's sign this very protective letter of intent that gives us eight ways out if we decide to change our mind, if we can't do that much for these guys (Pensacola Arena Development Partners) and for the citizens and for the Triumph board, I think Triumph is going to look at our application and it's going to go in the round file," Bergosh said. "… I do think for all intents and purposes it will be dead, so I hope that doesn't happen."
The Commission brought the Arena up last week likely at the Pels request, but without any movement I think the Pels are redirecting their search for a G-League city:
Escambia Commission Needs to Find a Solution for Bay Center Proposal (May 2018)
quote:
In two public meetings, morning and night, held Thursday by the Escambia County Commission, the thorny arena issue was again the agenda albatross.
There were a combined hours of discussion, input, debate, and unease when this item hit its turn. Because, well, this is sort of a big deal.
But when it became vote time, the commissioners voted to do nothing. Again.
That last article really lays out the process so far in getting funding approval for the Arena.
This post was edited on 5/21/18 at 10:05 am
Posted on 5/21/18 at 10:10 am to NOFOX
Shreveport was the 2nd runner up and they similarly had local funding go down at the ballot IIRC. With the team preparing to go into the tax I can see them not having much interest in adding what has historically been a cost center for franchises. At the same time this really does seem like a losing deal for local governments unless they're dirty enough to benefit from it.
Posted on 5/21/18 at 10:17 am to NOFOX
WTF is wrong with the bay center?
doesnt the hockey team already play there?
a new arena for a minor league basketball team is insanity. they are not gonna draw more than 5K or so anyway
is it the pels/NBA pushing for this?
doesnt the hockey team already play there?
a new arena for a minor league basketball team is insanity. they are not gonna draw more than 5K or so anyway
is it the pels/NBA pushing for this?
Posted on 5/21/18 at 10:22 am to cgrand
quote:
WTF is wrong with the bay center?
Lack of suites, not lack of seats? Maybe not enough food facilities? It has to be about the non general ticket monetization opportunities, because you're right, they shouldn't be expecting more than a few thousand people a night.
Posted on 5/21/18 at 10:37 am to TigerinATL
They've been having trouble getting the Dixie Beer stand ready.
Posted on 5/21/18 at 10:50 am to TigerinATL
quote:
Lack of suites, not lack of seats?
suites...for a D-league game...
does not compute
Posted on 5/21/18 at 10:57 am to cgrand
I think he meant sweets. We were all counting on the return of Hubig's pies.
This post was edited on 5/21/18 at 11:03 am
Posted on 5/21/18 at 10:59 am to cgrand
quote:
WTF is wrong with the bay center?
doesnt the hockey team already play there?
a new arena for a minor league basketball team is insanity. they are not gonna draw more than 5K or so anyway
is it the pels/NBA pushing for this?
Developers in Pensacola have been pushing for the new arena to house the hockey team, attract G-league, and boost conventions. They apparently have been losing a lot of convention business for years because of the outdated Bay Center which has issues with plumbing and HVAC in addition to no amenities (no video board, poor concessions...etc.). The cost of upkeep of the Bay Center is increasing as the revenue generated keeps decreasing. The new arena would theoretically increase revenue from the hocket team, add a basketball team, and attract more conventions, concerts, trade shows, poltiical rallies...etc. while also adding a youth sports component to attract youth sports tournaments.
They have $20-$25M in funding available from BP funds that will be directed elsewhere (not Pensacola) if not used. On top of that some proposals would also be eligble for $20M in market tax credits.
Posted on 5/21/18 at 11:11 am to NOFOX
A couple of months ago it seemed like things had stalled. But there is a new location that's being explored. I talked about it on today's podcast.
Posted on 5/21/18 at 11:52 am to NolaJake
Good this GLeague team needs to happen.
Posted on 5/21/18 at 12:07 pm to NolaJake
quote:
A couple of months ago it seemed like things had stalled. But there is a new location that's being explored. I talked about it on today's podcast.
I wondered why that option was not explored initially. The city is dying to be taken seriously as a sports town. They want a major league team, but are unlikely to ever get one even though market wise they are larger than New Orleans, OKC, Memphis. I get that it is probably further away than is convenient for a minor league team and it is not basketball country, but the G-League would likely get the city and corporate support necessary to keep them in the black regardless of fan support. If marketed properly, they could be succesful there with attendance too. The Barons do really well.
This post was edited on 5/21/18 at 12:09 pm
Posted on 5/21/18 at 12:09 pm to NOFOX
quote:
The city
what city are we talking about
Posted on 5/21/18 at 1:43 pm to cgrand
quote:
what city are we talking about
He mentioned the Barons and they play in Birmingham, but I understood Birmingham to be smaller than New Orleans and Memphis.
Posted on 5/21/18 at 2:04 pm to Parrish
quote:
He mentioned the Barons and they play in Birmingham, but I understood Birmingham to be smaller than New Orleans and Memphis.
Yes Birmingham. According to Nielsen, the Birmingham market is 45, New Orleans is 50, Memphis is 51.
Posted on 5/21/18 at 2:29 pm to NOFOX
birmingham would be an excellent choice
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