Where should the Bay Area's sports teams be located?

rs913 · #1 Posted: **May 6, 2008, 2:11 AM**

I thought this was an interesting question to ask, given that many of our local sports teams continue to be in flux. The A's are moving to Fremont for sure, 49ers to Santa Clara is still a strong possibility (leaving only the Giants in SF), and the Raiders' long-term plans are, as always, at the mercy of crazy Al Davis. I've even heard suggestions that the Warriors may leave the Oracle Arena eventually, though I'm least sure about that one.

What do you think is the ideal long-term configuration of the Bay Area sports landscape? There seems to be a shift towards the South Bay...is this ideal or not?

I would have loved to have seen downtown Oakland land an A's stadium (impossible) or a Warriors arena (still an option) that might have spurred further development/revival, but that may be more fantasy than reality...

Reminiscence · #2 Posted: **May 6, 2008, 5:49 AM**

I used to think that the teams should stay where they are now, and I still do think that. However, lately, I've been more open to them moving to another location. I wont mind the A's so much as Fremont is only a little bit down the road (unless there is traffic which will make that extra distance seem much longer). Santa Clara seems right for the 49ers, although I dont know how the city can sit with paying so much for the stadium. I could care less about the Raiders

krudmonk · #3 Posted: **May 6, 2008, 6:26 AM**

They should be located where people can get to them, I guess.

portlandexpos04 · #4 Posted: **May 6, 2008, 10:20 PM**

San Jose needs an NBA team. IMO, the tank is a better arena than Oracle.

plinko · #5 Posted: **May 6, 2008, 10:52 PM**

The A's moving to Fremont is a total disgrace...

I'd love to see a stadium somewhere near DT Oakland (along with an arena for the Warriors as well) with good BART and freeway access, but obviously that's asking too much. Seems to me West Oakland or even where it is now with a transit re-work would be ideal locations.

As far as the 49ers and Raiders...wherever. Football is a game that doesn't need an urban stadium, has a great need for tailgating parking lots and Fremont or Santa Clara or San Jose or Sacramento would be good locations for either.

The Sharks have a good home in San Jose and the Giants...most beautiful stadium in baseball (though Pittsburgh gives it a run).

wburg · #6 Posted: **May 6, 2008, 11:39 PM**

I'd agree that "the Sacramento 49ers" has a nice ring to it.

Frisco_Zig · #7 Posted: **May 7, 2008, 12:44 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by rs913

I would have loved to have seen downtown Oakland land an A's stadium (impossible) or a Warriors arena (still an option) that might have spurred further development/revival, but that may be more fantasy than reality...

The A's in a Fremont stripmall is an abomination. Baseball is an urban sport and should be downtown or in an urban hood where people can walk to games after work and bars and restaurants can find some synergy and create traditions. Plus its not near Bart. Very poor planning but the owner and Don Fisher are asses. All the best parks, new and old, have found this model to be the best. What are they thinking?

With Football it doesn't matter to me if they play in suburbs as the landuse is wasteful (huge parking lot, 9 games per year) I guess I am agnostic on the 49ers move. I live in SF and remember '81 being a little kid and the city celebrating hard off the hook, people hanging out of cars on Dolores St. (this was still when SF was bluecollar and people there were actually into local sports), my dad, my uncles, cousins and grandpa just going nuts, and then leaving me with the ladies (I was pissed) to go to the bars on Mission St. to party Part of me doesn't want them to go I guess. Another part sees SF and the sitauation for what it is.

Warriors in a new arena in SF would be crazy. We could bring back the politically incorrect Warriors gear from the old SF days. Just my selfish view. Downtown Oakland would be cool too

rs913 · #8 Posted: **May 7, 2008, 1:02 AM**

Quote:

Warriors in a new arena in SF would be crazy. We could bring back the politically incorrect Warriors gear from the old SF days. Just my selfish view.

I was about to mention this as my other fantasy situation (if money were no object, that is...)

Imagine a new arena being built south of Market somewhere near the Transbay Terminal. It would be the west coast equivalent of Boston's FleetCenter and NYC's Madison Square Garden, both of which are literally built on top of huge commuter rail stations. This could take lots of cars off the road, as suburban fans would simply drive to their nearest BART/CalTrain/GGT stop instead of all the way in.

After the Warriors relocate there and the move is wildly successful, the RS913 Arena could then attract a poorly-supported NHL franchise like the Phoenix Coyotes. If L.A. can have 2 NHL teams, why not the Bay Area - especially with 50 miles between them?

krudmonk · #9 Posted: **May 7, 2008, 6:56 PM**

Keep the Warriors in Oakland. They may already be losing two teams, both of which carry the city's name.

Nutterbug · #10 Posted: **May 7, 2008, 11:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by rs913

After the Warriors relocate there and the move is wildly successful, the RS913 Arena could then attract a poorly-supported NHL franchise like the Phoenix Coyotes. If L.A. can have 2 NHL teams, why not the Bay Area - especially with 50 miles between them?

Why not Hamilton, Ontario, which is about as far away from Toronto and worships hockey like a religion?

krudmonk · #11 Posted: **May 8, 2008, 12:04 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nutterbug

Why not Hamilton, Ontario, which is about as far away from Toronto and worships hockey like a religion?

Or Winnipeg, Quebec, etc.

Pistola916 · #12 Posted: **May 8, 2008, 12:09 AM**

There have always been rumors of the A's or Raiders relocating to Sac, but the city is already having problems getting an arena for the Kings let alone another pro franchise. Though I would like to see the A's move to Sac. I guess they can convert Raley Field to a major league stadium. Actually I rather have a hockey team or MLS team and have this Nor Cal rivalry with San Jose.

BTinSF · #13 Posted: **May 8, 2008, 2:27 AM**

I care less about where they are in terms of political boundaries than I do about 2 other things: (1)How easy they are to get to by public transportation and (2)Whether or (hopefully) not public money is used to build their venues.

Regarding #1, just by way of example, it's easier by far to get to the Oakland Coliseum to see the Raiders from downtown San Francisco--take BART--than it is to get to Candlestick, so I think having the local football team in Oakland is preferable to having it at Candlestick, at least unless and until Muni Metro service reaches the Stick.

On the other hand, I love AT&T Park, not just because of where it is but also because it cost me and other taxpayers nothing. I would not want to see my tax money used for a Giants stadium to keep them in town or for an arena to try to lure the Warriors.

vertex · #14 Posted: **May 8, 2008, 5:23 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by rs913

After the Warriors relocate there and the move is wildly successful, the RS913 Arena could then attract a poorly-supported NHL franchise like the Phoenix Coyotes. If L.A. can have 2 NHL teams, why not the Bay Area - especially with 50 miles between them?

Not sure what your definition of "poorly supported" means, but an NHL team in Phoenix is still a much more lucrative franchise, with a lot more upside, than Oakland could offer.

Reminiscence · #15 Posted: **May 8, 2008, 6:10 AM**

One key point that I left out, is what BT covered well. Public Transportation, I think, should play a huge role in where they relocate. I rarely choose to deal with the road when going to a gaming venue, particularly because of traffic and parking. The Giants and the A's are easily accessible by BART. This issue is the only really big issue that has been bothering me about the 49ers potential move. If I do go to any of their games, I'll have to find a new way of getting there aside from driving.

Nutterbug · #16 Posted: **May 8, 2008, 6:15 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by krudmonk

Or Winnipeg, Quebec, etc.

But having more teams in Canada is not good for US TV propects. Gary Bettman knows that, so he's done all he can to prevent the Predators from moving to Hamilton.

Nutterbug · #17 Posted: **May 8, 2008, 6:18 AM**

Having it someplace where they can put "San Francisco ..." in the name is best for merchandising, right?

BTinSF · #18 Posted: **May 8, 2008, 7:10 AM**

^^^Hah! They wanted to move to the South Bay and still use "San Francisco" and Mayor Newsom threatened to sue them. And I think a fair number of citizens feel that way: We don't care that much if they go but they can't go and still use The City's name and reputation.

Ronin · #19 Posted: **May 8, 2008, 9:01 AM**

^^^ On a much smaller scale, but still a "professional" sport, the "San Francisco" Dragons of Major League Lacrosse actually play in Spartan Stadium near the campus of... you guessed it, San Jose State!

northbay · #20 Posted: **May 8, 2008, 3:38 PM**

plinko summed it up nicely

football = who cares?
a's = fremont? uve got to be kidding. dt oaktown would kick ass with a new stadium
giants = cool stadium already
warriors = stay in oakland
sharks = san jose