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[PTI] Orlando Re-locating?

Discussion in 'NBA Dish' started by LongTimeFan, Apr 4, 2005.

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LongTimeFan Member

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They did a happy trails to the Magic, saying the team was frustrated by not getting a new arena deal and would most likely re-locate. Anyone hear anything about this?

#1 LongTimeFan, Apr 4, 2005

Deuce Context & Nuance

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Check out the Orlando Sentinel. I think there was an article on it today. It has been an ongoing battle for them to get public support for a new arena. It is because of this why the media has been kissing Weisbrod's ass for all of his moves and have been hyping up the team so the fans will throw in their support.

#2 Deuce, Apr 4, 2005
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bfd.

Orlando fans can just jump on the Miami bandwagon now, if they haven't already.

The Magic can move to Canada.

#3 CriscoKidd, Apr 4, 2005
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They should move to either Houston or Sacramento so that their Franchise will not pout...

#4 SamFisher, Apr 4, 2005
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um i thought TD Waterhouse was pretty new? i guess i'm mistaken...

#5 RocketKid, Apr 4, 2005
RocketKid Member

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^^^ my fault, it was renamed that from the O'rena.

#6 RocketKid, Apr 4, 2005
arkoe (ง'̀-'́)ง

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Originally posted by SamFisher
They should move to either Houston or Sacramento so that their Franchise will not pout...
Click to expand...

How about relocating to the great white north?

#7 arkoe, Apr 4, 2005

Nick Member

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Originally posted by RocketKid
um i thought TD Waterhouse was pretty new? i guess i'm mistaken...
Click to expand...

It is (built in the early 90's)... but it was built right before arenas really started loading up on luxury boxes.

When a team wants a new arena, all they really care about are the luxury suites/boxes... NOTHING else. That is where they actually end up making money... the regular seats barely cover the rent.

#8 Nick, Apr 4, 2005
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Vancouver, Winnipeg or Calgary would be good places for the Magic to move to. Hockey towns for Weisbrod.

#9 TBar, Apr 4, 2005
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Maybe St. Louis will be an option.

#10 JayZ750, Apr 4, 2005
jo mama Member

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Originally posted by TBar
Vancouver, Winnipeg or Calgary would be good places for the Magic to move to. Hockey towns for Weisbrod.
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the franchise...i mean steve-o in vancouver? the irony would be delicious!

#11 jo mama, Apr 4, 2005
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Originally posted by JayZ750
Maybe St. Louis will be an option.
Click to expand...

That would be a great choice. Missouri has a market for basketball.

#12 lalala902102001, Apr 4, 2005
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Here is the article

From the Orlando Sentinal

Brian Schmitz
Magic not optimistic about Orlando future
Published April 4, 2005

E-MAIL
Brian Schmitz

Magic ownership has been putting on its best face about the arena issue, saying the politically correct things -- or, frankly, not saying much at all.

This much is becoming clear:

Privately, the franchise is no longer optimistic about its future in Orlando.

The confidence the Magic once had about keeping the team in town has faded.

At the moment -- and things can change fast -- Rich DeVos' family is starting to get that same queasy feeling it did before it lost Shaq.

Disheartened by hotel-row feedback and newspaper polls, the Magic have run into a political brick wall. They're feeling they might have to launch the franchise's greatest comeback.

I detect the Magic's reaction to the latest vibes they're receiving goes beyond the normal posturing. Because in the baseball vernacular, the Magic have yet to throw out the first pitch -- or threat -- of the arena-annexing season.

They're quietly preparing to make their case for a new arena soon, a tug-of-war that figures to rage for another year, probably longer.

While emotion drives sporting endeavors, this comes down to business -- what makes the best financial sense for Orlando and the basketball team.

The city offered the Magic a renovation proposal for its 16-year-old arena. The Magic are studying it and taking their own polls. But they really don't believe renovation makes sense, even if they haven't publicly said so.

"One thing we're clear on, we'll do our due diligence," Magic President Bob Vander Weide told the Sentinel. "We'll be methodical, prudent business people, which is why we can't say anything about renovation."

The point the Magic will make is simple: A new arena will serve more than just tall guys in sneakers.

"There has got to be a win in this for a lot of different individuals with a lot of different interests," Vander Weide said. "Tourist row has to find a win in whatever facilities get built in this community. They are the economic engine. There has to be a home for the arts. It does sell and create a lifestyle that we want to promote here. It has to be a venue that brings new concerts. . . . And then a venue that will also fulfill our home needs as the Magic.

"Any facility we're headquartered in, it better service the entertainment needs of this community. It better be a building that can support 200 nights of activity a year because that's what good buildings do, of which we would be one quarter of that."

Because of the fallout from the Buddy Dyer mayoral mess, Vander Weide said, "We also have to wait for the city to organize its leadership again."

The Magic might feel better if former mayor Bill Frederick comes out of retirement to hold the city's hand through this upheaval. Frederick was instrumental in Orlando landing its first major-league team and getting the arena built in 1989.

Most talk has centered on a new arena being built near downtown in an overall economic development plan. But Vander Weide said he wasn't about to "lock myself into a location."

Get this: He's not opposed to the building of an arena, ironically, near I-Drive, where leaders of hotel row have fought the Magic's desire for tourist-tax dollars.

"If its location dictates it move south, to tourist row, then let's have that discussion," Vander Weide said.

"At some point and time, whenever that is, this facility, in its current condition, will be obsolete by NBA standards," Vander Weide said. "[Commissioner] David Stern said that. I don't know when that time line is.

"All I know is the clock is ticking."

This just in

SCOOP DOG: Magic President Bob Vander Weide told Magic Confidential recently that the franchise could look for a limited partner or partners.

The Magic say they also would be willing to listen to Michael Jordan (again) or perhaps Tiger Woods or -- once he retires as a player -- Shaquille O'Neal.

SCOOP DOG II: Some Internet scuttlebutt suggests that Steve Francis wants out of Orlando or will become trade-bait. Here's what Jeff Fried, Francis' agent, said when I asked him if Francis' future was addressed in a recent meeting with GM John Weisbrod. "That was never brought up at all," Fried said. "Steve's extremely happy here."

Samuel L. Gooden?

Cleveland Cavs forward Drew Gooden, who played last season in Orlando, is appearing in commercials for McDonald's in Cleveland.

Gooden apparently thinks he's on the Big Mac fast track to movie stardom. "I've read some lines for a couple of projects," Gooden said. "Acting in movies is something I want to do. I'm a combination of Samuel L. Jackson and Wesley Snipes."

Monday morning point guard

Grant Hill again has pain in his left shin. He told me there wasn't a problem with the plate (near the left ankle). And yet you wonder about the scare of wear and tear ...

The Sixers have the playoff tiebreaker advantage against the Magic, meaning the Magic have to beat them by a game for that last spot. Better make it two games: The Sixers face the Atlanta Hawks in their season finale. ...

I don't know who'll be the next Magic coach, but you'd think Bill Laimbeer might be John Weisbrod's kind of guy. ... I do know the fine print on his contract must read, "Coach will get Dwight Howard a minimum of 15 shots per game." ...

The Magic, caught in traffic, arrived just 55 minutes before their game in New Jersey against the Nets. To avoid that problem, don't cater to players' party plans by staying in New York City. Surely, they could rough it in East Rutherford or Newark, N.J.
Click to expand...

#13 apostolic3, Apr 4, 2005

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Or Las Vegas..... Or the Magic could be one of the first Euro teams and plant roots in Paris, London or Rome.

But somewhere is Canada would be the most ironic

#14 micah1j, Apr 4, 2005
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Let me also add that Drew Gooden is a complete airhead. Whichever team signs him to a long term expensive deal will regret it. The guy is a loser. Getting rid of him was the ONE good trade the Magic made last year.

#15 apostolic3, Apr 4, 2005
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That would mess up all the relignment....but how cool would it to finally have a NBA team in Las Vegas? They could change the name to the "Lucky"

I would love to see an NBA team in Puerto Rico or Cancun...

Originally posted by micah1j
Or Las Vegas..... Or the Magic could be one of the first Euro teams and plant roots in Paris, London or Rome.

But somewhere is Canada would be the most ironic
Click to expand...

#16 NewYorker, Apr 4, 2005
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Shame. I like the name Orlando Magic and I like the franchise.

#17 PhiSlammaJamma, Apr 4, 2005
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Damn....it's been so long ago that we almost lost the Rockets; wasn't it to Louisville that we nearly lost the team? And then the city quietly slid off the NBA radar.

We'll see who steps up now. First, David Stern has to put on the old soft-shoe about doing everything in his power to keep the Magic from relocating.

#18 ROXTXIA, Apr 4, 2005

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Yeah, move Orlando to Vegas and they can take our spot in the Texas Invitational division.

#19 MemphisX, Apr 4, 2005
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I vote for Vancouver, so Francis can end up where he started.

#20 solid, Apr 4, 2005

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