[NotAJerry]

http://insidebiz.com/news/sources-sacra ... deal-works

That's a pretty big get for the 7 cities/Hampton Roads area if it happens. Between all the college football, the only successful UFL team, and now a possible NBA team, that whole area could explode even more over the next few years.

[bluedevilflame]

I think if the Kings did move there, it would fill a pro sports void in Virginia and could give the Kings a boom in fans and attendance, similar to what OKC is experiencing right now.

[4everfsu]

I wonder if they will rename them the Virginia Squires

[bluedevilflame]

I wonder if they will rename them the Virginia Squires

That'd be awesome, I wonder if they could get Jackie Moon to Own/Manager/Coach/Play!

[Purple Haize]

It will have two or three years of success and then fall flat. Virginia is a college sports state.

[thepostman]

I can't see them moving there over some of the west coast cities but who knows. I didn't think the Grizzlies would move to memphis either...

[Sly Fox]

I've been sparring with DJ Jordan on this topic today on Facebook. Frankly this has all the earmarks of Comcast using this golden carrot to get a publicly-funded arena that they can milk for revenue with minor league sports once the Kings or whoever else dances by.

I still think the Maloofs will eventually get enough support from league to move to Vegas.

[givemethemic]

Ding, Ding!!!! We have a winner... Vegas is dying for a team... From all my inside casino industry sources that all I keep hearing.

[NotAJerry]

I would suspect KC instead, since they've got a shiny new arena, but VA Beach is a legit option.

[thepostman]

I don't understand why there isn't a professional sports team in Vegas. What is the logic behind that? Does the NBA think it will open them up to a Pete Ross scandal or something? Because last I checked Pete Rose didn't play in Vegas....

[01LUGrad]

I would love this, but I think the selected location for the arena is a poor choice. They want to put it next to the convention center about a mile from the beach. Sure, that would be a great spot if the team was playing in the summer, but NOTHING is going on down there in the winter months.
My suggestion is that they put it in Norfolk on the current Waterside location. That place is dead and they have been trying to figure out what to do with it for years. There is plenty of parking there (Harbor Park's lots), the light rail line runs about 3 blocks from it, and there are tons of local businesses that would benefit since they are actually open in the winter.

Oh, and it is about 7 miles from my house instead of 17 (oceanfront).

[Purple Haize]

Ding, Ding!!!! We have a winner... Vegas is dying for a team... From all my inside casino industry sources that all I keep hearing.

That brings a smile to my face

[ALUmnus]

Would Vegas make a good home for a pro sports team? I get that it's a mega tourist destination, but would there be enough support locally for a team? I don't know, I'm just wondering.

Virginia's gotta be careful though. Owners are really good at using an alternate location to get what they really want somewhere else. We experienced this in Hartford with the Patriots several years back.

[Sly Fox]

Vegas has plenty going for it. Strong population and local governments who would bend over backwards to accommodate owners. And obviously corporate support would be strong. Even coming off recession-fed struggles, Vegas remains the big prize for potential NBA owners looking to bolt. The Maloofs have allegedly been working fellow owners & league office to get enough support to make the move for at least a decade.

[alabama24]

Kings will go to Seattle. Long live the SUPERSONICS!

[ATrain]

I agree with 01LUGrad, Norfolk by Waterside would be a much better option. Plus with the beach doing all it can to save Oceana from closure, do we really want an 18,000 seat arena in a crash zone?

However, I can see this new arena as another reason for the campaign to expand light rail into Virginia Beach which is what our fair mayor is willing to bring in at any cost. While I'm all for mass transit including light rail, unless it goes to Naval Station Norfolk it won't solve any traffic problems in Hampton Roads.

[Purple Haize]

Kings will go to Seattle. Long live the SUPERSONICS!

I can see that. Plus, it would give you an automatic rivalry with the Thunder.

[jbock13]

Would Vegas make a good home for a pro sports team? I get that it's a mega tourist destination, but would there be enough support locally for a team? I don't know, I'm just wondering.

It used to be that way. Not anymore. It's grown so much. Clark County now has a population of 2 million.

[Purple Haize]

Add to that the Maloofs already have a respected presence there. They would be extra vigilante to not ruin that. Also, they have the capital to sustain them in Vegas. They would be much more willing to over pay for players and to make every game an event. The area will come out, just look at UNLVs crowds in the 80's

[NotAJerry]

I would love this, but I think the selected location for the arena is a poor choice. They want to put it next to the convention center about a mile from the beach. Sure, that would be a great spot if the team was playing in the summer, but NOTHING is going on down there in the winter months.
My suggestion is that they put it in Norfolk on the current Waterside location. That place is dead and they have been trying to figure out what to do with it for years. There is plenty of parking there (Harbor Park's lots), the light rail line runs about 3 blocks from it, and there are tons of local businesses that would benefit since they are actually open in the winter.

Oh, and it is about 7 miles from my house instead of 17 (oceanfront).

The population of VA Beach is nearly double that of Norfolk and widening quickly. VA Beach and Chesapeake are becoming destination areas with great reputations while Norfolk is still considered more of a military town with crime issues.

You go where the people are, especially the people with money. Norfolk is old news on that front.

[01LUGrad]

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.

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.

[NotAJerry]

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

My niece, and one of my best friends from LU, both live in VA Beach now and they're both in complete agreement with this. It really does seem to be down to the various local governments putting their issues aside for a few moments to do something that would greatly enhance the area.

[Humble_Opinion]

For those saying Norfolk, VA - I'm just wondering where you put it? Do you knock down the Scope, or is there some unknown/abandoned space I'm not seeing? Either way, I see VA Beach or Chesapeake as a better option. In particular, the Greenbriar area of Chesapeake would be interesting considering it's relative proximity to 64. From there you can get to the Ocean Front in about 20 - 25 minutes (barring traffic) and to Norfolk in about 15 minutes.

[01LUGrad]

For those saying Norfolk, VA - I'm just wondering where you put it? Do you knock down the Scope, or is there some unknown/abandoned space I'm not seeing? Either way, I see VA Beach or Chesapeake as a better option. In particular, the Greenbriar area of Chesapeake would be interesting considering it's relative proximity to 64. From there you can get to the Ocean Front in about 20 - 25 minutes (barring traffic) and to Norfolk in about 15 minutes.

In my earlier post, I suggested the current location of the Waterside building on Waterside Dr. in Norfolk. The city decided a long time ago to do away with the current building and put something else there. Given its proximity to the interstate and available parking lots and garages, it seems like a good spot to me.

Now, if they want to stick it in Greenbrier, I would be okay with that as well since I could walk to the stadium!

Honestly though, it looks like Comcast is pretty set on wanting it to be in VA Beach at the oceanfront. (http://hamptonroads.com/2012/08/va-beac ... -275m-400m)
If they really wanted a good spot in VA Beach, I would put it near Town Center in between VA Beach Blvd, Columbus St, and S. Kellam Rd where Pembroke Hall Bingo currently sits. This location would be right next to the proposed light rail line, I264, and Town Center...not to mention Krispy Kreme.

[NotAJerry]

For those saying Norfolk, VA - I'm just wondering where you put it? Do you knock down the Scope, or is there some unknown/abandoned space I'm not seeing? Either way, I see VA Beach or Chesapeake as a better option. In particular, the Greenbriar area of Chesapeake would be interesting considering it's relative proximity to 64. From there you can get to the Ocean Front in about 20 - 25 minutes (barring traffic) and to Norfolk in about 15 minutes.

In my earlier post, I suggested the current location of the Waterside building on Waterside Dr. in Norfolk. The city decided a long time ago to do away with the current building and put something else there. Given its proximity to the interstate and available parking lots and garages, it seems like a good spot to me.

Now, if they want to stick it in Greenbrier, I would be okay with that as well since I could walk to the stadium!

Honestly though, it looks like Comcast is pretty set on wanting it to be in VA Beach at the oceanfront. (http://hamptonroads.com/2012/08/va-beac ... -275m-400m)
If they really wanted a good spot in VA Beach, I would put it near Town Center in between VA Beach Blvd, Columbus St, and S. Kellam Rd where Pembroke Hall Bingo currently sits. This location would be right next to the proposed light rail line, I264, and Town Center...not to mention Krispy Kreme.

I'm thinking the idea is to spur more growth in a specific area instead of piggybacking off of what is already there. With that said, it may be better in the VA Beach area to build around the Town Center if at all possible.