While Robert Pera hasn't given any indication that he would like to move the team, I think it is definitely in the realm of possibility that he'll want them closer to home when their current lease expires. The HP Pavilion is already capable of supporting an NBA team so many of the hassles other Bay Area sports teams are facing with moving (A's, 49ers, Warriors, etc.) would not apply. No new construction, votes, or territory disputes would exist to impede a move.
The Bay Area can definitely support two NBA teams, so I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that Pera will one day make this happen!
Source: The Sale Lake Tribune
Very unlikely unfortunately..
ReplyDelete"Sources close to the process say that Pera has never mentioned trying to move the team out of Memphis. The reality, though, is that the Grizzlies' lease at the FedExForum would make relocation difficult and expensive under any circumstances, thanks to a lease that binds the franchise to the arena until the year 2021, with steep financial penalties triggered by breaking that lease."
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8038389/sources-billionaire-robert-pera-agrees-purchase-memphis-grizzlies
Actually, Josh's post does state when the current lease is up, which as the article you cite correctly states is 2021. Nothing happening until possibly then...don't hold your breath for NBA at The Tank (would be nice though).
DeleteWhat about the Kings?
ReplyDeleteI read that their stadium deal is off.