We had a report over the weekend that if the Hornets complete their move to New Orleans, Bruton Smith (owns Charlotte Motor Speedway) would buy the Orlando Magic and move them to Charlotte-- the city is moving closer to a deal on a new arena. Me root for Tracy McGrady? Grant Hill? Mike Miller? Okay, I'll try. I wonder if the NBA would go for it though?
Nba won't go for that Orlando Magic is there to stay. Charlotte loses their team it is the city's own fault
Just like the NFL's Cleveland Browns, no team is ever safe from moving. The Browns had history, the Magic have none, but that didn't stop owners from approving their move to Baltimore. If Orlando doesn't build the Magic a new building then I don't see why the NBA would stop a move. The NBA is not standing in the Hornets way from moving to New Orleans. At one time, the Hornets led the league in attendance. Now, the NBA probably will not approve a Magic to Charlotte deal because the city has (had) the opportunity to keep the Hornets. But Magic to any other city like St. Louis is fair game. It's all about $.
Apparently, Charlotte will do for another owner (Bruton Smith-- like no other) what it wouldn't do for a persona non grata (George Shinn). Remember this is the same idiot (Shinn) who wouldn't partner up with Michael Jordan. Imagine him playing for the Hornets right now! This could get done. Yeah, the NBA might want a team in Orlando, but I don't know if they can keep one OUT of Charlotte-- with a new stadium.
The NBA is going to keep the Hornets in Charlotte - even if it means forcing Shinn and co. to sell (and I'm not going into the ethics of that). And, even if they fail, they are going to keep the Magic in Orlando. There are too many owners that want to keep the team here and, coupled with the current owner's desire to sell to someone who will keep the team in Orlando, it's safe to say they aren't going anywhere. This, from the Orlando Sentinel today: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/spor...022502.column?coll=orl-sports-headlines-bball Don't bet on this Magic move Don't hold your breath on that Magic-moving-to-Charlotte story last week. Bruton Smith, the North Carolina billionaire who told everyone he wanted to buy the team and use it to replace the Hornets, has been known for his unrealistic bluster in the past. If you are betting, it's a good bet that he'll never get that chance. And here's why: Watch for the NBA to scuttle the Hornets’ proposed move to New Orleans despite the desires of George Shinn, the current Hornets owner. Most of the league owners hate the city of New Orleans and don't believe it could support a team. The league will force Shinn to stay in Charlotte, effectively forcing Shinn to sell the team to someone else in North Carolina. Once Shinn is gone, a new arena will be built and the Hornets will live happily-ever-after in Charlotte -- possibly with Smith as the new owner.
