[ATrain]

Couple of things...
Atrain is right about the crash zone problem. The F18 that went down in April hit an apartment complex less than 1/2 mile from the proposed site, and from ATrain's apartment
As far as Chesapeake becoming a destination...HAHA!!! I live in said city and everyone here goes somewhere else for everything. Sure there is crime in Norfolk, but it is still the center of things in Hampton Roads. The beach is kind of the opposite of that.

Oh, and I completely agree that light rail needs to go to the Naval base before it will actually make a difference around here.

FTFY.

Town Center would also be a good idea.

[01LUGrad]

Woah. I didn't realize it was that close to you. Duck and cover!

[Hold My Own]

Is VA beach really big enough to support this?

[01LUGrad]

Is VA beach really big enough to support this?

Memphis has an estimated population if 600,000. VA Beach has 450,000 by itself, not to mention the other 1.2 million in the rest of the Hampton Roads area.

We are the largest untapped market in the US. 7 metro areas with smaller populations have major pro teams.

I think we can pull it off.

[NotAJerry]

Is VA beach really big enough to support this?

Memphis has an estimated population if 600,000. VA Beach has 450,000 by itself, not to mention the other 1.2 million in the rest of the Hampton Roads area.

We are the largest untapped market in the US. 7 metro areas with smaller populations have major pro teams.

I think we can pull it off.

Actually, it looks like 9 metro areas with smaller populations and big 4 sports teams. Going by the census MSA:

VA Beach 36

Nashville 37
Milwaukee 39
Jacksonville 40
Memphis 41
Oklahoma City 43
New Orleans 46
Raleigh 47
Buffalo 49
Green Bay 152

If you add MLS to the mix, there's also Salt Lake City as the 48th largest MSA.

VA Beach, as a metro area, is certainly big enough for at least 1 big 4 sports team.

[thepostman]

Is VA beach really big enough to support this?

Memphis has an estimated population if 600,000. VA Beach has 450,000 by itself, not to mention the other 1.2 million in the rest of the Hampton Roads area.

We are the largest untapped market in the US. 7 metro areas with smaller populations have major pro teams.

I think we can pull it off.

Actually, it looks like 9 metro areas with smaller populations and big 4 sports teams. Going by the census MSA:

VA Beach 36

Nashville 37
Milwaukee 39
Jacksonville 40
Memphis 41
Oklahoma City 43
New Orleans 46
Raleigh 47
Buffalo 49
Green Bay 152

If you add MLS to the mix, there's also Salt Lake City as the 48th largest MSA.

VA Beach, as a metro area, is certainly big enough for at least 1 big 4 sports team.

You don't even have to add MLS...Salt Lake City has the Jazz...

[Hold My Own]

Let's not read further into what I'm about to say than what I actually say but I'm just wondering if census data would support the same population for the demographic that can afford the high prices of professional sports.

It's a genuine question. There might be enough people...but are there enough potential customers?

[Purple Haize]

Let's not read further into what I'm about to say than what I actually say but I'm just wondering if census data would support the same population for the demographic that can afford the high prices of professional sports.

It's a genuine question. There might be enough people...but are there enough potential customers?

No

[bluedevilflame]

Let's not read further into what I'm about to say than what I actually say but I'm just wondering if census data would support the same population for the demographic that can afford the high prices of professional sports.

It's a genuine question. There might be enough people...but are there enough potential customers?

No

Completely agree, Seattle or Vegas would be much better moves for the Kings, and hopefully if they were to go to Seattle, that could draw a NHL team there

[jbock13]

All I have to say is that I'm anti light rail. That's my only comment. Carry on.

[Purple Haize]

All I have to say is that I'm anti light rail. That's my only comment. Carry on.

I prefer heavy rail

[NotAJerry]

Seattle has proven they will not build an arena, so that's out unless there's been a change of mind among city leadership.

The median income for Vegas is 53k and the median income for VA Beach is 48k. The median income for Chesapeake is 50k. While I think it's crazy that leagues avoid Vegas due to the gambling connection, they do. That will change soon enough, but it may be too soon for a league to allow one of their teams to make the move.

Norfolk/Portsmouth, the area that folks here are arguing for, have median incomes in the mid to low 30k range. Those are the areas that can't support a team. Va Beach/Chesapeake certainly can.

[Purple Haize]

Vegas has proven there is money in the community to support a major franchise. Thomas and Mack easily sells their luxury boxes. Obviously The Orleans and MGM sell out their arenas for their events but Thomas and Mack is a better barometer for local interest.

[NotAJerry]

Let's not read further into what I'm about to say than what I actually say but I'm just wondering if census data would support the same population for the demographic that can afford the high prices of professional sports.

It's a genuine question. There might be enough people...but are there enough potential customers?

No

Completely agree, Seattle or Vegas would be much better moves for the Kings, and hopefully if they were to go to Seattle, that could draw a NHL team there

Don't forget to throw KC into the mix. They've got a brand new arena they built to lure an NHL team that is essentially empty at this point.

[alabama24]

Seattle has proven they will not build an arena, so that's out unless there's been a change of mind among city leadership.

The City council voted down a measure to build a new arena last month but everyone expressed interest in continuing the conversation. It looks more favorable than not.

[NotAJerry]

Seattle has proven they will not build an arena, so that's out unless there's been a change of mind among city leadership.

The City council voted down a measure to build a new arena last month but everyone expressed interest in continuing the conversation. It looks more favorable than not.

Good to hear, Seattle is a really good sports city. If that were to happen, and the Maloofs are really moving their team, then Seattle would have to be the first option.

[01LUGrad]

Seattle has proven they will not build an arena, so that's out unless there's been a change of mind among city leadership.

The median income for Vegas is 53k and the median income for VA Beach is 48k. The median income for Chesapeake is 50k. While I think it's crazy that leagues avoid Vegas due to the gambling connection, they do. That will change soon enough, but it may be too soon for a league to allow one of their teams to make the move.

Norfolk/Portsmouth, the area that folks here are arguing for, have median incomes in the mid to low 30k range. Those are the areas that can't support a team. Va Beach/Chesapeake certainly can.

You are acting like because I live in Chesapeake, I wouldn't go to Norfolk to watch a basketball game.
Again, I am sure they are going to try to put it in VA Beach, I just think it is a mistake to send it all the way down to the beach.

[Purple Haize]

How much of Norfolk could be considered transient? There are more high dollar people in Vegas then in Nofolk/Hampton Roads et al.

[NotAJerry]

Seattle has proven they will not build an arena, so that's out unless there's been a change of mind among city leadership.

The median income for Vegas is 53k and the median income for VA Beach is 48k. The median income for Chesapeake is 50k. While I think it's crazy that leagues avoid Vegas due to the gambling connection, they do. That will change soon enough, but it may be too soon for a league to allow one of their teams to make the move.

Norfolk/Portsmouth, the area that folks here are arguing for, have median incomes in the mid to low 30k range. Those are the areas that can't support a team. Va Beach/Chesapeake certainly can.

You are acting like because I live in Chesapeake, I wouldn't go to Norfolk to watch a basketball game.
Again, I am sure they are going to try to put it in VA Beach, I just think it is a mistake to send it all the way down to the beach.

People said the Verizon Center being built in Chinatown was a horrible idea for the Bullets/Caps. It's completely changed the neighborhood from the most violent part of DC when it was murder capital of the world to a full fledged entertainment area that is now getting the biggest downtown development in the city.

People said that it was a mistake to build Nats Park in an area of primarily abandoned buildings and open air drug markets. Even with it opening right as the recession hit, 4-5 years later it's a vibrant neighborhood that has more than tripled in size, has some of the most amazing new row houses and parks in DC, and has plans in place to grow to 4x the size it currently is. It's done so well that DC United may be building their new stadium 3 blocks away to create a full entertainment district along with a new theater that just opened, a tennis arena for the local World Team Tennis squad, and a velodrome.

The idea for the VA Beach location they've chosen is likely an attempt to create a new neighborhood based around a building that would have at least 41 events each year just from the primary tenant and would very likely draw in bigger name concerts and events that the Scope just isn't good enough for these days.

The real downsides would be the lack of public transportation you mentioned, until they get the light rail system worked out, and the potential danger of being in the crash area. You may be spot on about the area by the Town Center being much better for something going in at this point.

[jbock13]

... or people could just drive their car there...

[Sly Fox]

You guys all give Comcast more altruistic intentions than me. I'm guessing they chose Virginia Beach was because it was cheap and readily available.

[01LUGrad]

Seattle has proven they will not build an arena, so that's out unless there's been a change of mind among city leadership.

The median income for Vegas is 53k and the median income for VA Beach is 48k. The median income for Chesapeake is 50k. While I think it's crazy that leagues avoid Vegas due to the gambling connection, they do. That will change soon enough, but it may be too soon for a league to allow one of their teams to make the move.

Norfolk/Portsmouth, the area that folks here are arguing for, have median incomes in the mid to low 30k range. Those are the areas that can't support a team. Va Beach/Chesapeake certainly can.

You are acting like because I live in Chesapeake, I wouldn't go to Norfolk to watch a basketball game.
Again, I am sure they are going to try to put it in VA Beach, I just think it is a mistake to send it all the way down to the beach.

People said the Verizon Center being built in Chinatown was a horrible idea for the Bullets/Caps. It's completely changed the neighborhood from the most violent part of DC when it was murder capital of the world to a full fledged entertainment area that is now getting the biggest downtown development in the city.

People said that it was a mistake to build Nats Park in an area of primarily abandoned buildings and open air drug markets. Even with it opening right as the recession hit, 4-5 years later it's a vibrant neighborhood that has more than tripled in size, has some of the most amazing new row houses and parks in DC, and has plans in place to grow to 4x the size it currently is. It's done so well that DC United may be building their new stadium 3 blocks away to create a full entertainment district along with a new theater that just opened, a tennis arena for the local World Team Tennis squad, and a velodrome.

The idea for the VA Beach location they've chosen is likely an attempt to create a new neighborhood based around a building that would have at least 41 events each year just from the primary tenant and would very likely draw in bigger name concerts and events that the Scope just isn't good enough for these days.

The real downsides would be the lack of public transportation you mentioned, until they get the light rail system worked out, and the potential danger of being in the crash area. You may be spot on about the area by the Town Center being much better for something going in at this point.

I'm with you as far as the possibility of an arena revitalizing a run-down or abandoned neighborhood. I don't know if the residents of the beach are looking for something like that, but I could be wrong. It would be great for city council to throw something else in that area that would make them feel better about the decision to put the convention center so far away from the beach and all of the hotels. Oops.

[NotAJerry]

You guys all give Comcast more altruistic intentions than me. I'm guessing they chose Virginia Beach was because it was cheap and readily available.

And it's a city that is reasonably wealthy, there are 4 Fortune 500 companies in the MSA, and it likely gives them another product for TV. Cheap is just one of the favorable aspects for Comcast.

[bluedevilflame]

One thing to keep in mind, don't underestimate the Eastern North Carolina market. Since there is such a distance between that part of the state and Charlotte, there has always been a disconnect with the basketball teams there (more the Bobcats than the Hornets, but same problem with both). Growing up in the area, I can attest that there are A LOT of people that vacation in Williamsburg (Busch Gardens) and travel to VA Beach as well, especially Northeastern NC. While ENC isn't the wealthiest part of the state, there is enough to provide a solid following if the market were to be tapped.

Article on other possible locations. WARNING: BLEACHER REPORT ARTICLE
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1308 ... inia-beach

[NotAJerry]

I'm with you as far as the possibility of an arena revitalizing a run-down or abandoned neighborhood. I don't know if the residents of the beach are looking for something like that, but I could be wrong. It would be great for city council to throw something else in that area that would make them feel better about the decision to put the convention center so far away from the beach and all of the hotels. Oops.

Where exactly would it be in relation to the Convention Center? Is it the south side of 19th St somewhere?