According to Forbes, the top 5 valued NBA Franchises are:
1. Lakers
2. Knicks
3. Bulls
4. Mavericks
5. Celtics
What do all these cities/teams have in common?
They ALL share their arena with their NHL counterpart. This is not a coincidence. With today's economy in both leagues, having two tenants in one building secures financial stability. Not only with booking another 41 nights a year, but spreading the overhead costs of running/maintaining the arena as well.
Comments yesterday by Gary Bettman, the NHL commissioner, were quite interesting in regards to Seattle becoming a potential landing spot for the Coyotes. (They have been owned by the league since 2009)
via l1.yimg.com
Bettman was asked if he had been following the NBA's board of governors and the decision whether to move the Kings to Seattle. He replied, "Just from afar"
He was then asked, if that would affect Phoenix, because an NBA and NHL team could play in a new Seattle arena?
He replied, "Not really, Phoenix is Phoenix. I assume the NBA board of governors will make whatever decision they think is in the best interest of the league and the franchise involved.”
He was then asked about Seattle as a potential NHL market in general, Bettman spoke highly.
“The research I’ve seen tells me that it would be a very strong hockey market,” Bettman said. “I haven’t looked at it in detail, but it’s all anecdotal and third hand. Obviously if there were a team in Seattle, it might foster a pretty decent rivalry with the northern neighbor, namely Vancouver.”
There was a pause and awkward silence after that. Bettman seemed to realize how that might come across, not only because of the Coyotes, but because of a new realignment of the league that seems destined for 32 teams.
“But that doesn’t mean that anybody should take from that comment that we’re necessarily focused on Seattle or we’re planning on expanding there,” Bettman added quickly. “You asked the question about Seattle. I wouldn’t have raised it. But it’s obviously an interesting market.
(The above conversation originally posted from yahoo by Nick Cotsonika)
Can we read into this more? Is there in fact talks going on behind the scenes from a local Seattle ownership group to purchase the Coyotes?
If there was something in place to acquire the Coyotes, Seattle's financial model could only get stronger. It indeed already pans out well. Additional bond money does become available, from the county, if the NHL comes to Seattle. Plus, booking 41 more dates to the calendar couldn't hurt.
The likelihood the fate of the Coyotes being decided upon before the NBA Board of Governors meeting is slim. But, getting a second tenant is something that Sacramento's arena plan would not include and could prove to be yet another feather in Seattle's cap.
