What do you think will happen in Kansas City?

[mouser]

The new Sprint Center in Kansas City is scheduled to open in October of this year. The city and arena operating agent AEG (Anschutz Entertainment Group) have been very vocal on their intentions to land an NBA and/or NHL team for the new arena. Besides the NHL press KC has received, several NBA teams have also been well-publicized in connection with the Sprint Center.



Note: Please keep this poll/thread civil and on topic. If you believe KC tried to poach your favorite team and are upset this is not the thread to vent in. I'm interested to see what people think the possible future of the NHL is in Kansas City.

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[PhotoCrasher]

I think they'll get a team, the league needs more teams in the west. Probably in the next five years and it will be a whole new expansion team... not a failed franchise.

 

[krudmonk]

No NHL team. An NBA team will move there and AEG will stop the pursuit.

 

[Resolute]

Personally, I think it is no surprise that the NHL sent out expansion trial balloons at the same time the operators of Sprint Center started clamoring for an NBA or an NHL team.

IMO, the only thing that will keep the NHL out of KC will be the NBA, and I tend to think they will focus on Oklahoma City before KC given how well the Hornets did in their temporary home.

 

[mouser]

There's been hot talk recently coming from the Sonics owner on moving to Oklahoma City though Kansas City doesn't seem to have given up.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/basketball/nba/05/30/bennett.sonics.ap/index.html

http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/117995.html


I agree with both previous posters: Bettman probably floated the expansion balloon mainly for KC, and if an NBA team does move there it makes it much less likely the NHL will be there for a while.

I am impressed if the reports are true that KC sold out all the luxury boxes already to businesses without any of them knowing exactly what events and teams they're buying tickets to.

 

[Pnut]

Personally, I think it is no surprise that the NHL sent out expansion trial balloons at the same time the operators of Sprint Center started clamoring for an NBA or an NHL team.

IMO, the only thing that will keep the NHL out of KC will be the NBA, and I tend to think they will focus on Oklahoma City before KC given how well the Hornets did in their temporary home.

I agree that the expansion talk is jsut coincidentally comming out the same time about KC and knowing that Okla City did a great job with the hornets, i could see the NHL geting a team there soon, especially seeing how geographical rivalries work in hockey see Edmonton-Calgary, NYR-NYI-NJD and Ott-Tor-Buff, to get one with the stl blues that isnt dallas or nashville that is in state and or very close.

bet you that it will be an expansion team because the NHL has the time to get owners if the theory that the NBA goes to OK City next (whetherer the Sonics move their or not)

 

[kingsfan25]

I think that, eventually, another NHL owner will put his team on the market and AEG will poach it. Anschutz has put too much money into the Sprint Center and they want a return. They've already got a brokering deal in place with a local venture capitalist; now, it's just a matter of which small market cracks first.

 

[Metallian*]

I think that, eventually, another NHL owner will put his team on the market and AEG will poach it. Anschutz has put too much money into the Sprint Center and they want a return. They've already got a brokering deal in place with a local venture capitalist; now, it's just a matter of which small market cracks first.

Panthers are next, me guesses

 

[Transported Upstater]

No NHL team. An NBA team will move there and AEG will stop the pursuit.

I think so too.

 

[iceman64]

one of the attractive things about the sprint center is all the development going around. KC is re-developing it's downtown. The arena will be part of a new Power and Light district including a 295 milliion dollar performing arts center, H & R Blocks world headquarters and an 850 million dollar entertainment district with shops and restaurants. Also the college bball hall of fame will be in the the Sprint Center. Suites have been sold out and the business community has really stepped up. Sonics owner is from Oklahoma City however the Sprint Center could immediately provide more revenue.

 

[River Man]

I just don't see the NHL expanding anytime soon, and as far as any existing teams moving I only see Nashville, and by all accounts Kansas is the last place they'll be moving if the rumors are true.

 

[saskganesh]

relocation in 5. there are a few weak links. a rising salary cap will make some teams less competitive, which will hurt their revenues even more, leading to a move and a fresh start somewhere else which isn't Winnipeg

 

[Brazz]

No NHL team. An NBA team will move there and AEG will stop the pursuit.

Agreed. They are just so desperate for a tenate at the moment they will take an NBA or NHL team. With the Cheifs and Royal already in town I don't think KC could support 4 pro franchises. I think KC would much rather have the third pro franchise be an NBA team, so once they get they're basketball team they will not be after an NHL team.

 

[undraftedstlouis]

Agreed. They are just so desperate for a tenate at the moment they will take an NBA or NHL team. With the Cheifs and Royal already in town I don't think KC could support 4 pro franchises. I think KC would much rather have the third pro franchise be an NBA team, so once they get they're basketball team they will not be after an NHL team.

Football and baseball are outdoor sports held from April-December. I think a winter indoor league has a good chance. I agree that the NBA seems more likely and a better fit.

 

[Fan of The Game]

I expect they will get expansion team.

 

[StevenintheATL]

They will get an expansion team within 5 years (Whether one likes it or not, the NHL will be going to 32 teams around the time of the next CBA). While the K.C. Scouts may have been a failure (Many of the 1970s expansion teams were nothing more than attempts to keep the WHA out of those cities/buildings.), the NHL then and the NHL now are two different leagues entirely.

The Sprint Center will have an NBA team before that, as the Hornets, Sonics, and Clippers could be looking to pull up stakes and move. If all three teams move, look to see one of them in K.C., another in OKC, and the other in Las Vegas (Although some of the casino bigwigs aren't too big on the NBA since the All-Star Game Weekend really hurt them in the pocketbook because some of their high rollers refused to leave their rooms because of the crowds the NBA All-Star Game was attracting into the casinos.)

 

[Free Edler]

I suspect we'll see KC get an NHL team before Winnipeg, Kitchener-Waterloo or (unfortunately) Portland, even though it's arguably a worse market than all three. That said, with the new, ready-made arena, all they need is a tenant and they will have a license to print money, as long as the team doesn't suck (read: Kansas City Scouts).

 

[DrVanntastic]

Agreed. They are just so desperate for a tenate at the moment they will take an NBA or NHL team. With the Cheifs and Royal already in town I don't think KC could support 4 pro franchises. I think KC would much rather have the third pro franchise be an NBA team, so once they get they're basketball team they will not be after an NHL team.

I remember a link to a KC paper that had a poll asking people which they would prefer, NBA or NHL, and the response was overwhelming for an NHL team (75% sounds about right). I may have just dreamed this in my head though.

 

[OLYMPIA STADIUM]

Hopefully soon we will see the return of the kansas city scouts to the NHL.

 

[Tricolore#20]

If the Predators move to Kansas City because the Balsille deal falls through, it would be a massive step back for hockey. If they both started franchises at the same time, KC and Nashville would probably be comparable in terms of marketplace, fanbase and corporate support. As of right now, Nashville has about a 10 year lead on KC in terms of developing that market. Youth hockey has been rising, and by all accounts, the Predators are an attractive team for many children in the area (who will become season ticket holders one day), suggesting that hockey in Nashville is going to grow (the pace of growth is what becomes questionable, but the growth is undeniable). Going to KC would be like going back to 1998, while ruining a market that is on the up and up.

I hope Kansas City never gets an NHL team. Not expansion, nor relocation.

 

[cubbear]

Hate to break it to you TriColor but the youth hockey program in KC is much larger than the one in Nashville. As far as comparisions, Nashville is a city centered around music and tourism, KC is a town centered around sports...the real question is WILL KC support another pro franchise...I say it will, time will tell

 

[operasen]

I can see 32 teams.

I'd prefer Quebec and Portland - but figure Kansas will get a look.

 

[ChompChomp]

Hate to break it to you TriColor but the youth hockey program in KC is much larger than the one in Nashville. As far as comparisions, Nashville is a city centered around music and tourism, KC is a town centered around sports...the real question is WILL KC support another pro franchise...I say it will, time will tell

But as it is, with only TWO major sports teams (Royals and Chiefs), KC is one of the top 5 overextended sports markets in US.

Yes I know, so is Pittsburgh, but that includes them having an NHL team.

Does any of the top 5 overextended sports markets in the US besides KC have only 2 major pro teams?

The point is, if KC is overextended with only 2 teams, how is adding a team (NHL or NBA) going to help the situation?

This is why KC is idiotic for building an arena without an anchor tenant. Sure the arena will do well for NCAA's and Big 12 basketball tourneys, but they've said from day one they wanted an NBA or NHL team.

How do you have the audacity to seek an NHL or NBA team when as a Two Sport City you are one of the top 5 most oversaturated sports markets in the country?

P.S. Check this out:
http://mirtle.blogspot.com/2007/03/kc-overextended-market.html

Number one is Tampa, and they are a three sport area: NFL, MLB, and NHL.

2 is Phoenix, which is four major sports: NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL

3 is Denver, four major sport city

4 is Pittsburgh, 3 major sport city

and 5 is KC, what do you know? Top 5 overextended, but only TWO major sports teams.

According to this, hockey should come back to Hartford (if we are talking US only):
http://www.bizjournals.com/specials/2006/0213/sports_expansion/3.html

 

[Jarnberg]

Nashville is a city centered around music and tourism

Really?

Tell that to the Health Care industry.

 

[undraftedstlouis]

How do you have the audacity to seek an NHL or NBA team when as a Two Sport City you are one of the top 5 most oversaturated sports markets in the country?

You have the audacity because you have AEG in on the deal. They're building a near monopoly of midsized outdoors concert venues (and thus will control a good % of music tours), own the Kings, own the Staples Center and part of the Lakers, and likely have the influence to eventually get that team. Any NBA or NHL owner looking to fill dates in their arena can get them from AEG. Oversaturated, maybe in some regareds, but KC has no arena team and thus no major league sports from Jan to April. The Roylas aren't exactly the biggest threat to an incoming sports team.