Quote:
Originally Posted by JAYNYC
I don't dispute that this is true to an extent, but the exaggerated tone you've used to describe what, in actuality, is an inconsequential, marginal difference in market size and per capita income is absurd. You make it seem as though Sacramento and Milwaukee are these large cosmopolitan wealth centers, while Memphis is a podunk rural town, and that couldn't be farther from the truth.
The fact is Sacramento is the 21st largest media market, Milwaukee is 27th and Memphis is 30th. Both Sacramento and Milwaukee are very blue-collar, medium sized cities heavily comprised of working class and middle class families (as is Memphis) So no, Sacramento and Milwaukee are not in a special separate category that makes them unique as they relate to Memphis - at least not by any notable measure.
Where exactly did I say I was offended? I'll wait.
I've spent a grand total of two hours in Memphis via a flight layover a few years ago. But I get it - asking someone to support their argument with facts and data that prove a valid point makes me a "homer".
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Sacremento and Milwaukee incomes and GDP are much higher versus Memphis.
Median HH Incomes of smallest NBA markets:
Memphis: $37,099
Sacramento: $64,052
Milwaukee: $58,029
OKC: $47,004
Salt Late City: $68,196
These are the reasons why we ring the alarm bells for Memphis. They don't have the options as other larger markets to spread around revenue streams. They are going to be more dependent on gate revenues versus other teams and they have a ceiling of how much they can charge relative to the modest incomes present in the market. A chronic depression in attendance that extends multiple seasons (already a 3rd year in a row of decreased attendance) could be a critical blow to the team.
Typically when the team starts bleeding money small market teams start to further slash spending, so outreach programs and whatever else take a hit which starts to compound things.
Some owners can stomach the money losses each year if they view the team as a pride factor and a toy. But these owners did not get rich by being stupid. It comes to a point where if you are burning millions per year and you have massive equity increases that you just sell. If no local guy wants to take on the project then what do you do (they all do the half-hearted campaign but then just take the money - anyone remembers Starbucks Howard and his crocodile tears in Seattle? We all knew Bennett wanted to move the team, he should have never sold to him, but money talks)
Nobody has put forward a rational reason why the Memphis Grizzlies will be in Memphis 15 years from now. I don't see it.
I also don't feel sorry for anyone from Memphis because I am sure they didn't cry for Vancouver. Where was the advocacy for Seattle as well? These cities all think it can't happen to them.
Unless you are a blue-chip market or large TV market, your team is not safe (Atlanta Hawks, for example, are a joke, but since Atlanta is such a massive metro/TV market the team will likely never leave).