By Thomas Moore (contact) Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016 | 3:12 p.m. http://lasvegassun.com/news/2016/oct/26/murren-mgm-working-to-attract-nba-team/ An MGM Resorts International spokesperson confirmed the company is trying to attract an NBA franchise to Las Vegas. KNPR-FM reported on its website that Jim Murren, CEO of MGM Resorts International, wants to bring an NBA team, most likely an existing one, rather than a new franchise, to T-Mobile Arena. “It wouldn’t be an expansion team,” Murren told KNPR’s State of Nevada in a wide-ranging interview. “It would most likely be relocation of a team.” Portions of the interview will air at 8:50 a.m. Thursday. The full interview will air at 9 p.m. Nov. 1. When contacted about Murren’s statement, company spokespeople would only say that it was true and would not provide any further details. T-Mobile Arena, which opened earlier this year, will host the town’s first major professional franchise — a NHL team — starting next October. The $375 million arena was privately built in a partnership by MGM and AEG. The NFL’s Oakland Raiders are also attempting to relocate to Las Vegas, eyeing a new $1.9 billion stadium. Nevada lawmakers approved $750 million in public funding for earlier this month. The Raiders’ move requires approval of 24 of the league’s 32 owners in a vote that’s not expected until early 2017.
If they can't make this work, I've always thought they should still build a stadium and every NBA team has two "home" and two "away" game in Vegas. That means the season-ticket holders get 2 games in Vegas every year.
They can FO. Trying to steal another city's team to make it a hotel team with tourists for fans and players who many of them will end up become gambling addicts. Fortunately there is not a team with stadium's issues left for the foreseeable future.
Why the hell would it be the bucks? They're getting a new stadium. They're probably the last team to move now out of the ones that needed a new stadium. Right now it doesn't look like there are going to be any relocations. Pelicans don't seem like they are going to move unless Benson decides he wants to sell. Grizzlies are likely staying put too. The only real possibility would be the Hornets if MJ were to sell or something. I don't think he moves that franchise to Vegas though.
I'm actually headed out to Vegas on a flight tonight with one of my buddies. Between Nevada being a presidential swing state and all these new sports proposals, should make for some interesting conversation with the locals this weekend.
If League ever expands i would add teams in Las Vegas and Seattle and moved 1 west team East. Geographic Wise moving Memphis East is smart. Now u put Memphis is central division. Now who to add to the Southwest? You Move OKC to southwest division and seattle back to Northwest and Las Vegas to the Pacific
Talent wise in 5 years we will have enough players till their 40s and enough talent to suffice 32 teams
So you have 6 teams in the Central and an unbalanced Eastern conference with one extra team over the West? Also you have 6 teams in the Pacific? EDIT: Whoops, leagues would be even. The divisions would still be unbalanced.
Is the new Bucks arena finalized? If so, I can't imagine a current team relocating. There's too much money to make and the Kings just got a new stadium.
MJ does love to gamble. It does seem unlikely. The Kings were the logical choice when owned by the Maloofs, but that is long gone. They would probably need to be an expansion (with Seattle getting one as well to keep league even).
Not only it has finalized they have started building it. The roads are being closed and they had the groundbreaking in the summer. It will be ready in 2 years or so. What happens here is that to have a new team, the owners must first agree and the new franchises must pony up enough $ to make it worth it. The estimation is that the $ for that is 1 billion. So MGM or whatever is trying to bypass the 1 billion needed and the voting and take another team for free. There are a couple of owners who are against creating new teams, not because of dilution of talent but because they will lose part of their profits. Cuban is one. I think the league is very well talent wise and there won't be any issues. Almost every team already has stars either established or upcoming.
MJ when he first thought of buying a team wanted to move it to LV. Now though it's too late for that. The Hornets are doing very well and their fanbase is great. I don't think that they will just bow down and accept their beloved team moving.
