Baseball or Basketball - what would do better here?

[phesto]

The whole thing about the AAA speculation is that it doesn't really mean we would be on course for eventually stepping up to MLB level. In the near future, any AAA team in Vancouver would come about as part of the current Rogers agreement/Blue Jays affiliation, and would be an attempt to strengthen the Jays' position as "Canada's team" for marketing purposes ; for the same reason the idea of AA in Ottawa is being talked about.

Even if a AAA team in Van did extremely well, it would not likely be a stepping stone to getting an MLB team because it would potentially dilute already waning interest in the Jays. Part of the appeal of minor league baseball (as indicated in the article) is taking an interest in the major league club, so it would be a difficult proposition to go to the effort of establishing a AAA club only as a means to demonstrate demand for an MLB team that would ultimately compete with and draw interest away from the parent club; (notwithstanding obvious agreements the owners would have not to pursue MLB.)

This is why Jays exhibition games or regular season series make a ton of sense, but an actual team here does not.

I've been a avid baseball fan my entire life and I can honestly say I don't ever see MLB coming to Vancouver in the next 50 years; but even for argument's sake, I think two things need to happen before there is serious talk about it: 1) the Jays' need to regenerate excitement nationally (and themselves boost attendance) by making the playoffs again, which shouldn't be too difficult under the forthcoming playoff expansion and 2) Vancouver needs to get a AAA affiliate and have excellent attendance for a period of 5 years or more to show we have consistent interest and that we are ready to make the leap.

Once all that takes place, and someone is passionate enough about baseball and with deep enough pockets to pursue a team, then we will be in a position to discuss a minor issue (ie. the most difficult issue)...building a new stadium.

[mrjauk]

Originally Posted by Vancity

didn't realize that a triple A team here in vancouver would be worth more than the BC Lions. Wow. that's saying something about the CFL.

Vancouver is in a weird position. They would be the largest Triple A market, and yet, just under the Major Leagues. The city isn't MLB standard, but it's just shy of that. Strange that a major international city like Van., can't attract more major league franchises to this city.

It is no longer strange once you understand that Vancouver is not a "major international city."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_city

[EastVanMark]

Originally Posted by Vancity

The city isn't MLB standard, but it's just shy of that..

Vancouver fits the criteria for a MLB team. Vancouver would be larger than some current teams' markets.

[6042905]

Originally Posted by logan5

Vancouver could definitely support triple A, but it's much more of a professionally run business now than it was back in the day. Even with upgrades to the Nat, I still don't think it would cut it when you look at other parks in triple A baseball. And considering Vancouver would be the biggest market in triple A, its ballpark should reflect that.

A triple A team would generate more revenue than the BC Lions and probably the Whitecaps, so building a 50 to 80 million dollar park (maybe on the waterfront), doesn't seem so far fetched. To put in perspective, the triple A Sacramento River Cats (formally Vancouver's team) are worth around 20 million dollars, while the Lions are worth 7.5 million.

Only 7.5 Mill for the BC Lions?? I've seen houses on Knight Street sell for more than that

[logan5]

Originally Posted by 6042905

Only 7.5 Mill for the BC Lions?? I've seen houses on Knight Street sell for more than that

That's the last number I saw from 2009. The value has most likely increased with the new stadium.

I should correct my last post. The average value of the top 20 Triple A baseball teams is around 20 million. The top AAA team is worth around 29 million. What makes Triple A baseball more lucrative than the CFL is the fact that the player payroll (for AAA baseball) is paid for by the major league affiliate. Without having to pay player salaries, MiLB is a pretty good investment and would turn a pretty good profit in a big market like Vancouver.

[blacktrojan3921]

I think both MLB and NBA would do very well here, but it's more likely an NBA would come here. Hopefully through expansion as I think the financially unstable teams in the league would fight nail and teeth to keep they're respective teams where they're are.

[c@taract_soulj@h]

We may have invented basketball but baseballs a much better catch, just sayin with no pun. I guess from a personal standpoint, I grew up playing the sport and followed the Jays before the Indians but nonetheless to me...it just seems more of a past-time up here than b-ball. Go Pistons! But I dunno...I love a good 9 innings before 4-quarters anyday. I'd love a AAA Team in the Hammer. It'd put the Bulldogs in 3rd place and it wouldn't even matter! Shit...I didn't even see it was a BC thread til just now, but I'd absolutely love a homerun falling in this distance of the coast mountaiins. An NBA franchise in Vancouver seems almost bush-league, whereas an MLB team would create so much more of a diverse sporting atmosphere. If they can revamp BC place, I'm sure as hell they could revamp or build a cool looking field "somewhere" in the Lower Mainland to give the Mariners a run for their money =D

[Vancity]

Originally Posted by c@taract_soulj@h

We may have invented basketball but baseballs a much better catch, just sayin with no pun. I guess from a personal standpoint, I grew up playing the sport and followed the Jays before the Indians but nonetheless to me...it just seems more of a past-time up here than b-ball. Go Pistons! But I dunno...I love a good 9 innings before 4-quarters anyday. I'd love a AAA Team in the Hammer. It'd put the Bulldogs in 3rd place and it wouldn't even matter! Shit...I didn't even see it was a BC thread til just now, but I'd absolutely love a homerun falling in this distance of the coast mountaiins. An NBA franchise in Vancouver seems almost bush-league, whereas an MLB team would create so much more of a diverse sporting atmosphere. If they can revamp BC place, I'm sure as hell they could revamp or build a cool looking field "somewhere" in the Lower Mainland to give the Mariners a run for their money =D

They have already revamped BC Place. The renovations to the stadium is almost done. If your thinking more along the lines of having a stadium like the Mariner's down south - no way that's happening here, unless it's all from a billionaire whose willing to invest in such infrastructure. not going to happen. BC Place is going to be around (in it's current form), for a while.

[Zassk]

Reports on the radio today say the Seattle stadium is a go, and the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Coyotes are both intended to move there.

[peterprinciple]

Baseball. I would like to see Vancouver and Seattle as rivals.

[incognism]

I would be inclined to believe that a (properly run) NBA team in Vancouver would have a better chance of succeeding compared to a NHL team in Seattle.

Or at the very least, there would be more interest from Vancouverites to a NBA team than Seattleites to a NHL team.

[Vancity]

Originally Posted by incognism

I would be inclined to believe that a (properly run) NBA team in Vancouver would have a better chance of succeeding compared to a NHL team in Seattle.

Or at the very least, there would be more interest from Vancouverites to a NBA team than Seattleites to a NHL team.

I heard that the stadium being built was contigent on whether they could get both the NBA and the NHL to be tenants there.

I'm not entirely sure if the NHL would work in Seattle. The NHL team would be competing against MLB, NFL, MLS, and now the return of the NBA. Is there enough cash to go around?

I also am inclined to believe that a properly run NBA franchise here in Van would do better than an NHL franchise in Seattle. I hope it does cause Aquilini to really take a hard look at the business possibility of having an NBA team here in Vancouver. I think if they run it well, the team would be fully embraced by the community here as well. Could you imagine if Vancouver could get a talent, and player like Jeremy Lin? This franchise would explode!

[phesto]

Originally Posted by Vancity

I'm not entirely sure if the NHL would work in Seattle. The NHL team would be competing against MLB, NFL, MLS, and now the return of the NBA. Is there enough cash to go around?

I also am inclined to believe that a properly run NBA franchise here in Van would do better than an NHL franchise in Seattle. I hope it does cause Aquilini to really take a hard look at the business possibility of having an NBA team here in Vancouver. I think if they run it well, the team would be fully embraced by the community here as well. Could you imagine if Vancouver could get a talent, and player like Jeremy Lin? This franchise would explode!

I think the NHL would do fine in Seattle. You have to keep in mind that it is not just a cash/attendance issue but local TV rights and ratings. For the most part, the NHL team would only be competing directly with the NBA team and not the NFL/MLB/MLS, whose seasons only slightly overlap the NHL. With the deal that would have to be put in place, the team would be secure and I'm sure that would allow the hockey fan-base in Seattle to grow.mo

I don't see an NBA team in Seattle really influencing the return of NBA to Vancouver, but it certainly doesn't hurt. Geographically, Vancouver was always isolated from the rest of the NBA and the Sonic's departure just made it worse.

[Pinion]

The articles from Seattle really show how excited they are about the NHL. i.e. not at all. Basically "Seattle getting a new NBA arena!!! Could also be used for something called ice hockey"

[dennis1]

How about both?

There is 2.7 million people in the lower mainland, and not everyone likes hockey or the CFL(yeah right). Vancouver is big enough. More people downtown. Think big.

[EastVanMark]

Originally Posted by dennis1

How about both?

There is 2.7 million people in the lower mainland, and not everyone likes hockey or the CFL(yeah right). Vancouver is big enough. More people downtown. Think big.

We don't do that very well round these parts.

[Vancity]

Originally Posted by EastVanMark

We don't do that very well round these parts.

that's really unfortunate

[Pinion]

Seattle won't get a team through expansion. That was never the plan.

How they plan to get two teams of any sort without starting building is the mystery. You build the stadium then hope for the teams to come. Although sometimes that fails, like in Kansas City (Sprint Center, opened 2007 and still no NBA/NHL).

[phesto]

The NBA is definitely not in expansion mode. If Seattle gets a team back, it will be through relocation. It looks like Sacramento has come to realize in looking at Seattle, Vancouver, etc. that once you lose an NBA franchise, it is extremely difficult to get it back.

As long as Stern is still commissioner, I think Vancouver's chance of getting an NBA team again is next to zero. I think it's partially because of his ego and partially because of past mistakes, but his current mandate is stability of the league; hence his extraordinary efforts to keep the Hornets in New Orleans.

I honestly think Vancouver could outperform some of the current NBA markets, but with Stern at the helm, it ain't gonna happen. Maybe once a new commissioner is in place, but Stern is only 70 and could be around for another 10 years or more!

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by phesto

Maybe once a new commissioner is in place, but Stern is only 70 and could be around for another 10 years or more!

In the article above, Stern says this will be his final term, which should end in six years. However, he is strongly championing his long-time deputy as the next commissioner.