Sports Teams Most Likely To Relocate
Posted: June 4th, 2011, 5:07 am
With the Atlanta Thrashers moving to Winnipeg (possibly keeping the name since the Phoenix Coyotes own the Winnipeg Jets name), I figured that I would do a list who I think will be some of the next teams to leave their current cities.
NHL:
Doomed
1. Florida Panthers
The team finishes near the bottom in attendance each year and Miami is not a hockey market. Also, the team never wins.
2. New York Islanders
Their stadium is old, their attendance is low and they haven't had it since the 1980's.
Safe But For How Long?
3. Phoenix Coyotes
This team has been hinted to be moving to some time now but always seems to be saved at the last minute. Eventually, the time will run out.
4. Nashville Predators
Another team that has been hinted to move but gets saved. Eventually they will move if they don't add to the base that continues to save the team.
Needed To Round Out The List
5. Tampa Bay Lightning
A bit of a wild card due to their success but Tampa is a bit like Miami and the team doesn't sell out very much. Also, the ownership is broke.
Cities that may be considered for teams: Hamilton, Houston, Kansas City, Portland, Quebec City, Seattle
NBA
Point Of No Return
1. Sacramento Kings
An attempted move to Anaheim (which would make three NBA teams in the Los Angeles area) has been in the works but is may been blocked. With the Maloofs broke and attendance declining, the era of an NBA team in Sacramento is nearing a downer ending.
Doomed
2. Minnesota Timberwolves
The ownership and management is among the worst in the league, the attendance is declining and they have had to drastically lower ticket prices just to get a decent crowd. The team was saved from moving to New Orleans in 1994 but I don't think they can be saved twice.
3. Milwaukee Bucks
A deal to build a new stadium has been rejected and players hate playing in Milwaukee. The only obstacle preventing a move is the owner not selling (despite the fact that his political career is a clear distraction). Eventually, a decision will need to be made if to continue politics or owning the team.
4. Indiana Pacers
Attendance has steadily declined since the Malice at the Palace in 2004 and the team has also gotten worse since then. Also, the arena's sponsor is bankrupt and they don't get anything for naming rights. Despite Indiana being basketball crazy, they are not crazy about the Pacers.
5. Memphis Grizzlies
A surprise playoff run may not be enough to keep the team in Memphis. Ownership is among the worst and the on-court quality has usually been weak. Barring any momentum continuing, the upset of the Spurs could be a lost cause.
Also: Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Bobcats, New Orleans Hornets
Cities that may be considered for NBA teams: Columbus, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Louisville, Montreal, Seattle, St. Louis
MLB
Doomed
1. Toronto Blue Jays
The Rogers Centre is a wasteland now and the team hasn't been competitive in years. The only thing that Toronto sports fans show interest now during this time frame is Argos football and the occasional Buffalo Bills game.
2. Oakland Athletics
With an inability to get a new stadium built and waning fan interest (the Giants' World Series win was possibly the low-point in the Bay Area's interest of the A's), they may have to seek other options.
Cities that may be considered for MLB teams: Charlotte, Las Vegas, Vancouver
NFL
Doomed
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
The ownership is among one of the weaker ones, the team never sells out and Jacksonville is more of a college football town. If any team moves to Los Angeles, this is the one.
2. Buffalo Bills
Buffalo is a dying city and the management seems to be more interested in impressing the Canadian fanbase nowadays.
Safe For Now, But How Long?
3. Minnesota Vikings
The fanbase is there but the stadium has been needing to be replaced for a long while now. With disinterest from the owners, they may decide a move makes more sense.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The team is improving and had made a run at a wild card spot last season but attendance has been in the decline. The current ownership has been facing financial issues and selling the team may be an option if current owner Malcolm Glazer (who is nearing 80) dies. Money issues could force the team to leave.
5. San Diego Chargers
Despite being a decent team with a good fanbase, an attempt to build a new stadium has continued to fail due to money issues with the city. With Los Angeles open, they could consider a return back to their birthplace.
Cities that may be considered for NFL teams: Birmingham, Los Angeles, Orlando, Portland, Toronto
NHL:
Doomed
1. Florida Panthers
The team finishes near the bottom in attendance each year and Miami is not a hockey market. Also, the team never wins.
2. New York Islanders
Their stadium is old, their attendance is low and they haven't had it since the 1980's.
Safe But For How Long?
3. Phoenix Coyotes
This team has been hinted to be moving to some time now but always seems to be saved at the last minute. Eventually, the time will run out.
4. Nashville Predators
Another team that has been hinted to move but gets saved. Eventually they will move if they don't add to the base that continues to save the team.
Needed To Round Out The List
5. Tampa Bay Lightning
A bit of a wild card due to their success but Tampa is a bit like Miami and the team doesn't sell out very much. Also, the ownership is broke.
Cities that may be considered for teams: Hamilton, Houston, Kansas City, Portland, Quebec City, Seattle
NBA
Point Of No Return
1. Sacramento Kings
An attempted move to Anaheim (which would make three NBA teams in the Los Angeles area) has been in the works but is may been blocked. With the Maloofs broke and attendance declining, the era of an NBA team in Sacramento is nearing a downer ending.
Doomed
2. Minnesota Timberwolves
The ownership and management is among the worst in the league, the attendance is declining and they have had to drastically lower ticket prices just to get a decent crowd. The team was saved from moving to New Orleans in 1994 but I don't think they can be saved twice.
3. Milwaukee Bucks
A deal to build a new stadium has been rejected and players hate playing in Milwaukee. The only obstacle preventing a move is the owner not selling (despite the fact that his political career is a clear distraction). Eventually, a decision will need to be made if to continue politics or owning the team.
4. Indiana Pacers
Attendance has steadily declined since the Malice at the Palace in 2004 and the team has also gotten worse since then. Also, the arena's sponsor is bankrupt and they don't get anything for naming rights. Despite Indiana being basketball crazy, they are not crazy about the Pacers.
5. Memphis Grizzlies
A surprise playoff run may not be enough to keep the team in Memphis. Ownership is among the worst and the on-court quality has usually been weak. Barring any momentum continuing, the upset of the Spurs could be a lost cause.
Also: Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Bobcats, New Orleans Hornets
Cities that may be considered for NBA teams: Columbus, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Louisville, Montreal, Seattle, St. Louis
MLB
Doomed
1. Toronto Blue Jays
The Rogers Centre is a wasteland now and the team hasn't been competitive in years. The only thing that Toronto sports fans show interest now during this time frame is Argos football and the occasional Buffalo Bills game.
2. Oakland Athletics
With an inability to get a new stadium built and waning fan interest (the Giants' World Series win was possibly the low-point in the Bay Area's interest of the A's), they may have to seek other options.
Cities that may be considered for MLB teams: Charlotte, Las Vegas, Vancouver
NFL
Doomed
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
The ownership is among one of the weaker ones, the team never sells out and Jacksonville is more of a college football town. If any team moves to Los Angeles, this is the one.
2. Buffalo Bills
Buffalo is a dying city and the management seems to be more interested in impressing the Canadian fanbase nowadays.
Safe For Now, But How Long?
3. Minnesota Vikings
The fanbase is there but the stadium has been needing to be replaced for a long while now. With disinterest from the owners, they may decide a move makes more sense.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The team is improving and had made a run at a wild card spot last season but attendance has been in the decline. The current ownership has been facing financial issues and selling the team may be an option if current owner Malcolm Glazer (who is nearing 80) dies. Money issues could force the team to leave.
5. San Diego Chargers
Despite being a decent team with a good fanbase, an attempt to build a new stadium has continued to fail due to money issues with the city. With Los Angeles open, they could consider a return back to their birthplace.
Cities that may be considered for NFL teams: Birmingham, Los Angeles, Orlando, Portland, Toronto