We should have a NBA team in Montreal

[*Swish*]

There are a lot of people in this world that follow sports every day. In Montreal, the majority follow Montreal hockey team. Every night the ‘Canadians’ play, the seats are sold out and there are over 20 000 fans cheering for the Canadians. The Montreal hockey team has achieved the reputation of being the biggest and loudest crowd of the NHL. On the other hand, there is the Montreal soccer team named Impact. There aren’t as much as soccer fans than hockey fans in Montreal but it’s evident that Impact still has a lot of fans. Now, we hear a lot of Montreal population that follow consistently and on a daily basis, NBA games on internet and on the TV. Unfortunately, Montreal citizens are forced to cheer for various teams other than for their own.

 

In my opinion, we should really consider having a basketball team in Montreal. We have a hockey team and a soccer team! So why not a Basketball team? Even though it’s a lot of money to take care of the arena and most importantly pay all the players, the coaching staff and more, it’s worth it because on the long run, Montreal will get profits out of the team since there are so many NBA fans in Montreal.

 

How would it feel for the Montreal citizens to finally have a basketball team to cheer for? I always thought about this as a great idea. We have a lot of talented players in Montreal that are playing in several leagues! We could try and find a solution to bring some players in the NBA. If we can’t build a new arena, we could just use the Bell Center: when there is a basketball game, take off the ice and put wood and basketball material so our city team could play. In New York, when the Rangers play and the Knicks need to play after, they take off the ice and put the parquet.

 

I don’t understand why this wouldn’t happen. People tend to invent excuses because they don’t want it to happen. Yes it costs a lot of money but selling jerseys and more stuff would get Montreal’s revenue to increase in the long term. The tickets will also be expensive just like hockey tickets, and it would be a serious business. Even though the tickets will be expensive, a lot of people love basketball so much that they would buy the most expensive tickets (court-side) to talk with the players etc.

Edited November 23, 2010 by *Swish*

[Check my Stats]

Players already don't want to come to Toronto and you think they would want to go to Montreal? People in China probably wish they could get an NBA team too, it just won't happen any time soon.

[Lkr]

Same reason why Vancouver doesn't have a team.

[Check my Stats]

Same reason why Vancouver doesn't have a team.

 

Except Vancouver is one of the best cities in the world.

[The Great iBoldin]

Except Vancouver is one of the best cities in the world.

 

This is factually correct. Vancouver is magnificent.

 

However we have one of the most expensive housing markets in Canada, and the NBA didn't work the first time, so I doubt it would now unless the team was a perennial playoff team and a Championship contender. Plus we have very high tax.

Edited November 23, 2010 by iBoldin

[Built Ford Tough]

This is factually correct. Vancouver is magnificent.

 

However we have one of the most expensive housing markets in Canada, and the NBA didn't work the first time, so I doubt it would now unless the team was a perennial playoff team and a Championship contender. Plus we have very high tax.

 

It didn't work because it wasn't given the chance to.

 

They were fine up until the lockout and then once the lockout happened, their attendance dropped to around 13,000 a night and within two or three seasons they were in Memphis. Prior to the lockout they were drawing around 16,000-18,000 a night and that was with the team being awful.

 

The Grizzlies ownership was absolutely awful too. Put a good owner in there, one who was willing to spend money and a capable GM/coachng staff and it would've made a huge difference. Just look at all the huge blunders that team made in their short existence (Bryant Reeves, anyone?).

 

Also, you can't overlook just how much more popular basketball is in Canada and how much better of a sports town Vancouver has become since then. Times have certainly changed in the 10 years that the Grizzlies have been gone from Vancouver.

 

Not that I think they will get a team or anything like that, but I do full heartidly believe that Vancouver could easily support an NBA team.

[Purple&Gold]

Sacha, people in Montreal probably have the same thinking as others do to. Your only hearing from Montreal, no other place. Not a very famous place, Toronto Raptors is enough. I live in St.Louis, I have to go four hours to Chicago if I want to see an NBA game, I also want a team. I don't mind losing the Cardinals, Rams, or the Blues.

[Lkr]

This isn't a good time for the NBA to expand either. Plenty of teams are having sellout problems as it is. I could see there being an NFL team in Canada before Canada gets another NBA team

[Universe]

The NBA screwed up in Canada. They should have done it the way the MLS handled it by placing it in Toronto and wait for Canada to follow.

 

If Vancouver was to get a team say five years ago, I believe the chances of Montreal getting a team would be high to have that Canadian rivalry but they put Vancouver in before Canadians got to experince the NBA.

 

As for Montreal getting a team now, the chances of sucsess are quite low. Canadiens popularity is actually growing in the city after it went downhill in the 90's so putting in an NBA team just wouldn't make sense season wise.