Palmetto Proving Grounds

Infinityleven

I'm pretty sure they just broke ground on the new Knights stadium downtown.

At least 20. They need to have a minor league team first. Plus there is not enough corporate dollars for three major league teams.

Hopefully the Bobcats get the ax..I live in Charlotte and would love to have an MLB team. Although I will always be a Braves fan.

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I keep hear people talk about being Braves fan and how SC is Braves country. Fair enough, I was raised a Braves fan. But simply put Braves fans are one of the worst fan bases in the country when it comes to putting butts in the seats. I know the games are available on TV, but what kind of fan never goes to homes games? How many sellouts have the Braves had this year? And this is in Atlanta, a much larger metropolitan area than Charlotte. Charlotte doesn't even do well supporting the Panthers, typically, and let's not get started on basketball and the failure that has been. Charlotte needs a MLB team about as much as a single mother of six needs another kid. It shouldn't happen and hopefully iw won't happen.

Nope, but I've watched the Panthers for decades and half of those seats rarely has butts in them. I also visit up there fairly regularly, and I know the Charlotte area quite well. I know Atlanta is a bad sports town, but what makes Charlotte a good sports town? Half ass support at best when the Panthers aren't doing awesome(I do think Cam alone will raise enthusiasm in Charlotte) and what is the average attendance of the Bobcats? 5 people? The south is more about college allegiances than pros. Charlotte would be an awful city for MLB, IMO.

After my initial post last night, I saw an interview with the Knights GM on a local newscast and yes, they do have a spot uptown designated for a new stadium to be built in 2014 after city council voted 7-4 to help fund it. Still a looooooong way off from Charlotte getting a MLB team, and I just don't see it happening and will be surprised if this endeavor by the Knights is successful in the end. Where they're located now is so much more easily accessible for fans from all directions. Move them to uptown and I just don't think many of the fans will think it's worth it. At least that's how I and many I talk to feel just below the NC/SC border.

charlotte resident here. doubt MLB would ever be successful...Got too many other issues taxdollars are needed for. But will gladly support the knights downtown instead of having to drive to fort mill....

I almost shed a tear when I ride by where the Coliseum once stood. Doesn't even look like the same place anymore. Many good times at concerts, Hornets games, pro wrestling events, etc. were had in that building, and oh the way traffic could flow compared to other places. Was the perfect location, yet the OLD original building still stands. When you award Bob Johnson a team over Larry Bird, and of all the names and color schemes you could pick, you go with orange and the "Bobcats," that's pretty much telling you that you're doomed before the first tip off.

There is a very realistic possibility at this happening from what I am hearing. I still have some contact at the Bobcats and the league offices that have mentioned this very thing. Bunzie you are spot on, when I started there in 05, I was slightly embarrassed at the logo, name, color scheme, etc. Bob Johnson may have been a genius when it came to BET, but he had no idea what he was getting into or doing, taking on a professional sports franchise from the ground up. Truth is, like Bunzie said, Bird and his ownership group had legitimate interest in the Charlotte gig, and at the same time, Atlanta was looking for a new ownership group. Hope no one takes this the wrong way, but truth is, from a business perspective, it made complete sense for Bob Johnson to be positioned with the Atlanta opening and Bird's group in Charlotte. If we are all honest with ourselves, that would have made a heck of a lot more sense than what did take place. I can say this too, Sean May & Adam Morrison were both pure Marketing picks as I was in the front office during this time as a minute customer service representative and the calls I received on a daily basis from fans, ticket holders, etc. were pretty bad to say the least and some were comical too. The Larry Brown hire, another decision to hopefully boost ticket sales. When you outweigh the business perspective compared to the basketball perspective, you lose every time, and the same goes the opposite way around, which is where MJ doesn't get it quiet frankly. There has to be a common ground with both elements to successfully run a professional sports franchise and heck, even a major collegiate athletics program, and the Bobcats have FAILED in both arenas due to emotional decision making from rich folk who are just more greedy than they even realize. Bobcats are currently at the table, with their remaining chips in and a pair of 2's. They better figure it out and do so quick, or it will go down as one of the most failed attempts in Sports Business history.

I like the Krewe option for sure, Brass would be my 2nd choice. One thing I wish more pro sports towns would do, is what Pittsburg does, and that is, all their pro sports teams have the same color scheme (Steelers, Pirates & Penguins). Really unique iyam.