Expansion Teams...Cost? Needs?

[Watson]

So in one of my classes we had some downtime and got around to the rumors that Livingston Parish (where I live) is getting a minor league team. My teacher, who does not really follow baseball (but he's a nut and a bit fruity anyway) aked why New Orleans has a NFL, NBA, and minor league team, but not a pro baseball team. If you couldn't tell by my posts, there is a big baseball following in LA but it's centered to college/Braves/Astros/Rangers ball.

Really, I had no actual answer. I know you have to have money for players, a stadium, and a farm associations, but I'm pretty positive New Orleans can find a way to pay it off. I mean, they were able to keep the Saints and the Hornets in NOLA after the worst natural disaster in the state's history...but I digress.

After all, if it is a numbers crunch, they could just play in the Superdome, or actually build a stadium in Chalmette or Metarie, where it's not technically NOLA and cheaper to build.

So how much does it really cost in the end for a new expansion team?


plus, the Z's uniforms are sweet as hell.

[Chrisksaint]

Re: Expansion Teams...Cost? Needs?

Sadly I think a baseball team in NO would thrive more then the Marlins who barely get fans except some on Friday/Sat and whenever playing big market teams and despite 2 Titles. I wouldn't really want a baseball team to play in the Superdome, but it would be possible and the timing of it works perfectly being a majority of the season isn't during Football.

But yeah you gotta pay some for the Stadium deal, farm teams, uniforms, scouts, all kinds of equipments, money to use to start up for things such as transportation,etc. and i'm sure there are other costs that are unknown to us.

[TripleCrown9]

Re: Expansion Teams...Cost? Needs?

I've always wondered why New Orleans is one of the biggest cities in the country left without a baseball team. It makes sense to have one, and maybe someday they will. I have no knowledge of the cost, so I won't try to say it would be easy.

[SPTO]

Re: Expansion Teams...Cost? Needs?

How much money does the New Orleans area generate? I think one of the issues with the New Orleans Hornets is that they don't generate enough revenue. It doesn't seem like the population has the kind of money to make a baseball team work down there.

At least that's how it looks to me from the outside looking in.

[DrJones]

Re: Expansion Teams...Cost? Needs?

So how much does it really cost in the end for a new expansion team?

Somewhere between $750M and $1B would be my guess. The last round of expansion fees (ARI & TB) was $130M per team, and that was 15 years ago. It'd be in the $200M-300M range now. A retractable roof stadium would be a must (not a prayer MLB would sign off on the Superdome for more than a single season), that'll be at least $500M. Then add in Major League payroll and organizational costs. Probably about a billion dollars in total.

[Watson]

How much money does the New Orleans area generate? I think one of the issues with the New Orleans Hornets is that they don't generate enough revenue. It doesn't seem like the population has the kind of money to make a baseball team work down there.

At least that's how it looks to me from the outside looking in.

I think the Hornets have that issue because Louisiana is simply not big on basketball. People do watch the Hornets religiously now, and the home sellout streaks are starting to get longer and longer so i'm sure they're getting more in.

[CabreraMVP]

Re: Expansion Teams...Cost? Needs?

The very last thing baseball needs is expansion teams. There is already two teams in Florida that get absolutely ZERO support no matter if they win 60 games or go the World Series. Florida doesn't deserve baseball. Those teams should be moved to somewhere that people will actually go to their games.

[Watson]

Re: Expansion Teams...Cost? Needs?

Well I think me and Chrisk will be the first two to vote the Marlins to NOLA.

[snepp]

Re: Expansion Teams...Cost? Needs?

They really should get one of those Florida teams out of there and put them some place they'll be appreciated.

It wouldn't hurt if the Marlins had an owner that wasn't a massive slimeball either.

[Chrisksaint]

Re: Expansion Teams...Cost? Needs?

Well with a new stadium it doesn't appear the Marlins would be willing to move anywhere soon, since they do make money apparently somehow it's not a revenue problem.

Tampa on the other hand with such a terrible stadium and bad fan base as well they should explore the possibility of moving elsewhere

[Watson]

Well with a new stadium it doesn't appear the Marlins would be willing to move anywhere soon, since they do make money apparently somehow it's not a revenue problem.

Tampa on the other hand with such a terrible stadium and bad fan base as well they should explore the possibility of moving elsewhere

I don't think the Rays name would fit NOLA, so you have to throw in a re-brand as well.

[theaub]

Re: Expansion Teams...Cost? Needs?

New Orleans to the AL East, Portland to the AL West, Toronto to the AL Central

woop

[Chrisksaint]

Re: Expansion Teams...Cost? Needs?

I don't think the Rays name would fit NOLA, so you have to throw in a re-brand as well.

The New Orleans Crawfish? Make it happen lol.

I just meant a move in general doesn't have to be to NOLA.

[Watson]

The New Orleans Crawfish? Make it happen lol.

I just meant a move in general doesn't have to be to NOLA.

I thibk if anybody moved anywhere NOLA would be on the short list dor destinations.

[McCannFann]

Re: Expansion Teams...Cost? Needs?

I think the Hornets have that issue because Louisiana is simply not big on basketball. People do watch the Hornets religiously now, and the home sellout streaks are starting to get longer and longer so i'm sure they're getting more in.

I'll never forgive George Shinn for moving the team. I get furious every time I think about it. So now we have the Bobcats who I'm trying my best to support, but it's not exactly easy. Plus, their games are blacked out unless you live just within the greater Charlotte area...

God, I miss the Hornets.