http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8792040/ Magic wants to own NBA team — in Vegas Former Lakers great says it would be solid 'business investment' Ex-Lakers star Magic Johnson says owning an NBA team would be a great investment. Reed Saxon / AP NBCSports.com news services Updated: 1:05 a.m. ET Aug. 2, 2005 Magic Johnson says he's still looking for the right opportunity to own an NBA team, and hopes that the chance will come in Las Vegas. Johnson told ESPN that if the NBA allows a team to move to Las Vegas, that he will be in the hunt to own that team. "If they would ever allow it to happen, of course I would jump on that in two seconds," Johnson told ESPN on Monday. "That's definitely the move because there's no question about the fact that that would be a good investment." Las Vegas reportedly will be the host of the 2007 All-Star Game, the first time the event would take place in a city that does not have an NBA team. "The All-Star Game was the first step," Johnson told ESPN. "I think David Stern made a really smart marketing move by going there. Everyone is going to want to be in Vegas." Johnson owns a five percent stake in the Lakers, but says he's interested in a larger ownership role. "If it were a good investment I would definitely make it," Johnson said. "But I tell people all the time that I just don't want to have my ego satisfied by buying one. It's got to be a solid business investment."
The NBA has always thrived in small markets where the NBA team is the only pro team...Portland, Utah, Sacramento, San Antonio, and even Orlando before John Weisbrod destroyed the franchise. They could easily prohibit betting on NBA games at the Vegas sports books if it's a conflict of interest. Move the Hornets there...
This would be a trainwreck for the NBA- just imagine the amount of partying done by NBA players before and after the games. Scandal, scandal, scandal.
Clark County is one of the fastest growing in the US. He could easily make back his investment...to the detriment of the NBA as a whole.
Yeah, I'm sure there is no partying in New York, LA, or Miami. Hell, you can find a place to party in ANY NBA city...well, except for Salt Lake. Just imagine how much they could charge for luxury boxes in Las Vegas. Plus, Stern is always looking to expand the NBA to untapped markets. Vegas is a perfect fit for the NBA. If the all star game is a success, expect the Vegas talk to heat up...
I'm willing to bet that it won't happen. Vegas would be a black hole for NBA playas unless the team drafts only angels. But then the team wouldn't be competitive.
They don't call it Sin City for nothin'. This place was built for partying and debauchery. People go there for expressly that purpose. Before I got married I could find a party in any one-horse town, but I've never partied harder then I did in Vegas, because it is so damn easy to take it to any level you want. I can tell you one thing. If the NBA goes to Vegas, what the players do there definately won't stay in Vegas.
I say do it, but I do think someone could easily get caught up in the glitter of Vegas. I'm not even sure if I've slept in Vegas myself. Trouble looms, is practically inevitable, but so doesn't it everywhere.
Please, I think you guys are overrating the whole "Sin City" aspect of an NBA franchise in Vegas. You guys say there is only one place like vegas. I think that may be true for the common man, but do you honestly think a millionaire can't get whatever he wants whenever he wants it? Hell, with Shaq's new contract, the man could build a mini Las Vegas in his own back yard. I think Vegas would be a great location for an NBA franchise. I'm going to do whatever I can do to be there for the '07 All Star Game.
