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+------- Thread: Possible Birmingham G-League Team? (/thread-850327.html)
Possible Birmingham G-League Team? - Saint Blazer - 05-21-2018 02:17 AM
I know there has been discussion recently regarding an AAF OR XFL franchise here, but has anyone given discussion regarding an NBA G-League team?
New Orleans is one of 3 teams still looking for a home for their upcoming franchise and Birmingham has recently come up through the rumor mill after the team wasn't able to find a suitor during the first round of discussions. Nothing concrete yet but officials from the city and team are scheduled to meet over the coming weeks. With the upcoming renovation to the BJCC and the desire to inch closer to a possible major league franchise could this be a possibility? There would be backing from the NBA and Pelicans so there is solid ground to start a foundation. Currently, Pelicans games are broadcast locally so there is already a market and some fans of the team in the area.
Could it possibly get more people engaged in basketball which would obviously help UAB or would it be too much competition to compete against.
I welcome your thoughts.
RE: Possible Birmingham G-League Team? - the_blazerman - 05-21-2018 07:06 AM
The only previous thing that we can compare to is when the CBA made a stop in Birmingham.
They had former U of A players on the team & still couldn't draw flies.
They did play at Fair Park Arena though.
About the greatest experience we had with the team was when Herb Winches had a name the team contest and a caller recommended the name Nads.
Herb took the bait.
About a minute later the caller mentioned that we could cheer Go Nads.
There was that 1 obnoxious fan who showed up for every game to berate the other teams' players.
RE: Possible Birmingham G-League Team? - Big Dee - 05-21-2018 08:15 AM
I think it's a great idea.
RE: Possible Birmingham G-League Team? - BlazerPhil - 05-21-2018 09:00 AM
If it is like minor league baseball and the player salaries are picked up by the big club, I think it could work. But the team must not be dependent on attendance for turning a profit.
RE: Possible Birmingham G-League Team? - ATTALLABLAZE - 05-21-2018 09:00 AM
I like it and would attend. Problem is this area would mostly ignore it other than a few of us hardcore basketball fans.
RE: Possible Birmingham G-League Team? - Auburn_Blazer - 05-21-2018 11:54 AM
I'd love it, especially if the NBA commits towards actually caring about the G-League as they have hinted at recently.
RE: Possible Birmingham G-League Team? - WesternBlazer - 05-21-2018 06:15 PM
https://www.google.com/amp/www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23217065/g-league-announces-players-salaries-increased-35000%3fplatform=amp
RE: Possible Birmingham G-League Team? - Big Dee - 05-21-2018 06:29 PM
Get woodfin on the horn, and setup up a tour of fair park arena (wished boutwell still had rims wonder why they took em down).
RE: Possible Birmingham G-League Team? - Big Dee - 05-28-2018 02:54 PM
http://www.hollandsentinel.com/sports/20180516/ben-wallace-introduced-as-grand-rapids-drive-co-owner
RE: Possible Birmingham G-League Team? - BAMANBLAZERFAN - 05-28-2018 05:12 PM
Years ago I asked about why a particular event was at a particular venue, and I was told that the event's promoter chose the venue for their performers. The contracts were then drawn up according to these desires.
Boutwell Auditorium (originally Municipal Auditorium) is the city's oldest large enclosed venue. Access to the gallery seating was only by a separate entrance on the east side - one could not get to those stairs from the main entrance on 8th Ave. North. This separation was a reminder of the "Jim Crow" days when the gallery was to insure segregation for "colored" seating for some events.
The first Black performing artist to be brought in to perform for a White audience was Nat King Cole in the mid 1950s. A group of about 5 KKK thugs jumped him on stage and attempted to drag him away toward an exit. The B'ham police were able to break up their attempt so we never knew their ultimate objective. I don't recall that he ever returned to B'ham after that.
RE: Possible Birmingham G-League Team? - UAB Band Dad - 05-28-2018 05:17 PM
If minor league *football* can't make it here, what makes you think basketball can?
RE: Possible Birmingham G-League Team? - BAMANBLAZERFAN - 05-28-2018 05:35 PM
(05-28-2018 05:17 PM)UAB Band Dad Wrote: If minor league *football* can't make it here, what makes you think basketball can?
Before Bham's fans became jaded from leagues folding around their teams, B'ham supported minor league sports in football as well as baseball. Basketball may have to plow some new land, but there are a lot of new citizens (like working around UAB) and those living in downtown lofts who may find such a team attractive. Even after the proposed renovations, Legacy Arena is not going to be a huge venue to fill while the BJCC provides the new entertainment and dining possibilities..
RE: Possible Birmingham G-League Team? - ATTALLABLAZE - 05-28-2018 09:05 PM
We don’t support College basketball the way it should be reported. Sad to say but why would anyone expect this venture to be supported? As stated above the Bandits stocked up on local players and it was not supported. True it was at Fairpark but that’s just an excuse like Legion Field.
RE: Possible Birmingham G-League Team? - the_blazerman - 05-28-2018 09:14 PM
Minor league football did make it here for a little while then Bham got tired of being burned and decided to give it up.
The Fire was the last team to have decent crowds.
The Barons & their history help them.
The Birmingham Bulls Hockey team was supported pretty good.
Things like the arena football league, CBA, CFL, etc. just didn't fly around here.
The USL has a chance to draw a few thousand for games but we will see if people are soccer fans or just parents of kids who like soccer.
RE: Possible Birmingham G-League Team? - blazer-J - 05-28-2018 10:41 PM
(05-28-2018 05:17 PM)UAB Band Dad Wrote: If minor league *football* can't make it here, what makes you think basketball can?
I have my doubts it would work here due to our lack of support for the Bandits and college basketball. But the economics are better for basketball
(10 players on roster vs 40 and 50 games vs 12)
I will rooting for it to succeed, if a team ends up here.
RE: Possible Birmingham G-League Team? - ATTALLABLAZE - 05-29-2018 06:31 AM
I agree and I would attend games but I fear there are not enough people that would give it the time of day even if you loaded the rosters with local sec players which I hate. Just get the best you can get.