Sports in Austin

[ATX2030]

Originally Posted by ILUVSAT

To which clause of the contract are you referring. I can't seem to find it.

It was my understanding that Oak View Group (along with Live Nation/C3 Presents) could schedule pretty much anything they want in the venue as long as it does not interfere with UT events. Oak View will want a return on its $375+ million investment.

Doesn't Austin's professional PBR team call Moody Center home? I know it's not a major professional sport. But, it is professional and its home is the Moody Center. Also, Austin's short-lived professional AFL team called the Erwin Center home too. So, it is possible...

I want a BIG 4 as much as anybody but it ain't happening at the Moody!

What does University of Texas get out of the Moody Center? First dibs on schedule, for one

https://www.statesman.com/story/spor...up/7356434001/

...."There are even specific things outlined in the contract the arena cannot be used for. Prohibited activities include a casino, a massage parlor, a laundromat or — in case there’s any lingering doubt — “use of the arena as the home arena of a professional or semi-professional sports team.”

[GoldenBoot]

Regarding a NBA or NHL team at the Moody...it would be the smallest arena in the NBA and second smallest in the NHL (and that does not take into account the number of luxury boxes).

Smallest NBA arena: Smoothy King Center (New Orleans) - 16,867

Smallest NHL arena: Canada Life Centre (Winnipeg) - 15,321

*The Arizona Coyotes (NHL) currently play in Mullett Arena (on the ASU campus). However, this is only temporary.


With standing room only - The Moody Center welcomed 16,148 fans for a Spurs game on April 8, 2023.

[ATX2030]

Originally Posted by Lobotomizer

I believe that is one of those "facts" that someone once read somewhere, or heard someone say, and is then repeated ad nauseam.

I remember the same as you, that UT has a certain amount of dates secured for their events, and then Oak View can do as they wish the rest of the year.

There was even speculation that Oak View may seek an NHL tenant for the Moody Center at one point, as they have done in Seattle and New York.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oak_View_Group

Too funny!

[Lobotomizer]

Originally Posted by ATX2030

Too funny!

And yet the Moody Center just hosted two "Home" games for the San Antonio Spurs, and appears will continue doing so in the future.

And as mentioned a few posts up, the Austin Gamblers, the professional rodeo team uses Moody Center as their home arena.

And UT allowed the Austin Wranglers to use the Erwin Center for the AFL games back in the day.

So maybe, just maybe it is not as clear cut, and set in stone as that blurb in the Statesman makes it seem.

[freerover]

Originally Posted by Lobotomizer

I just looked at the latest census data, and there are now 19 MSAs smaller than Austin with a "Big 4" sports team (NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB).

In a couple of years it will be 20 which are smaller when Austin passes Portland. At that point the Austin MSA will be the 25th largest in the nation, right behind San Antonio at 24.

With these facts known, in addition to the overwhelming success of Austin FC, I believe it is inevitable the other leagues will soon be making a push to get into the Austin market either through relocation or expansion.

It is a business decision afterall, and it would not make sense to not enter a market like Austin if there is the opportunity.

How many MSAs if you exclude NHL? I'm not really sure NHL is in the same league as NFL, MLB and NBA.

[ATX2030]

Originally Posted by Lobotomizer

And yet the Moody Center just hosted two "Home" games for the San Antonio Spurs, and appears will continue doing so in the future.

And as mentioned a few posts up, the Austin Gamblers, the professional rodeo team uses Moody Center as their home arena.

And UT allowed the Austin Wranglers to use the Erwin Center for the AFL games back in the day.

So maybe, just maybe it is not as clear cut, and set in stone as that blurb in the Statesman makes it seem.

That's about as clear cut as you can get. UT holds all the cards. We're gonna have to just disagree and that's fine. After all this is just a discussion forum right!

[Lobotomizer]

Originally Posted by freerover

How many MSAs if you exclude NHL? I'm not really sure NHL is in the same league as NFL, MLB and NBA.

16 currently. 17 when Austin passes Portland.

Of course some of these are part of larger CSAs, and/or have larger tv markets.

One (Green Bay) is also certainly an outlier.

However, I think it is beyond ridiculous to ever say Austin is not large enough to have a team from any of the major leagues at this point, as all of them have teams in smaller markets.

Austin is twice the size of New Orleans or Buffalo for instance, and has a million more people than Oklahoma City.

1. Sacramento - NBA
2. Pittsburgh - NFL, MLB, NHL
3. Las Vegas - NFL, NHL
4. Cincinnati - NFL, MLB, MLS
5. Kansas City - NFL, MLB, MLS
6. Columbus - NHL, MLS
7. Indianapolis - NFL, NBA
8. Cleveland - NFL, NBA, MLB
9. Nashville - NFL, NHL, MLS
10. San Jose - NHL, MLS
11. Jacksonville - NFL
12. Milwaukee - NBA, MLB
13. Raleigh - NHL
14. Oklahoma City - NBA
15. Memphis - NBA
16. Salt Lake City - NBA, MLS
17. New Orleans - NFL, NBA
18. Buffalo - NFL
19. Green Bay - NFL

[drummer]

Originally Posted by ILUVSAT

Never. Far too risky for the a franchise ownership group and the league for Austin & San Antonio to "share" a franchise.

I disagree. Population growth in both metros and filling in make it possible. Two strong markets, crazy amount of businesses for sponsorship, etc. Proximity to ~4m potential fans, and even more if you go beyond Austin and San Antonio. The only thing that would be "risky" would be an identity with one city over another. "Austin" or "San Antonio" doesn't have to be in the name. It could be "Central Texas" for all I care. Not saying it will happen, but it certainly could.

That said, I'd like to see it in San Antonio more than in Austin anyway. I just like that more, personally. The Saints did really well there post-Katrina, and I think the market is great for it - still close enough for folks from Austin (I go to Spurs games sometimes, for instance, and don't complain about it).

[Lobotomizer]

Originally Posted by drummer

Proximity to ~4m potential fans

Small correction, there are now over 5 million people in the Austin and San Antonio MSAs combined.

The two metros together are also adding over 100K more people annually, so there may be nearly 6 million people by the next census.

[drummer]

Originally Posted by Lobotomizer

Small correction, there are now over 5 million people in the Austin and San Antonio MSAs combined.

The two metros together are also adding over 100K more people annually, so there may be nearly 6 million people by the next census.

Yeah, I realized that after I posted but was too lazy to update it...

[ILUVSAT]

Originally Posted by drummer

...That said, I'd like to see it in San Antonio more than in Austin anyway. I just like that more, personally. The Saints did really well there post-Katrina, and I think the market is great for it - still close enough for folks from Austin (I go to Spurs games sometimes, for instance, and don't complain about it).

With the lack of potential corporate sponsors in SA vs. Austin and the income disparity between the two cities, I believe Austin will land the next "major" professional sports franchise.

[zx14]

Austin has the population and economy for a major sports team without a doubt. The problem is UT!!!!! Look AUSTIN IS NOT THE COLLEGE TOWN IT USED TO BE!!! Most people could not care less that have moved her in the last 20 years. I hate UT and hope they loose every game because they are the last thing holding back Austin from being a major US city. Sure Austin is new to the population tier B in the US. However except for a large skyline and traffic and economy of a large city Austin has nothing else. This city needs something to rally around and give it an identity other than a liberal music city or town as most people consider it. Most people out side of Texas would be surprised to see the population numbers here. Most think Austin is about the size of Little Rock or other cities without sports teams. In this country A major city is defined by its pro sports period. I live south of Cincy which is smaller but you would never guess that on game day. The city is alive and together. Austin needs that!! Elon could write a check and have a team here next year. Austin needs to rally together to insist on pro team moving here. Until then the ATX will be college town and that is it.

[Maximusx1]

Originally Posted by zx14

Austin has the population and economy for a major sports team without a doubt. The problem is UT!!!!! Look AUSTIN IS NOT THE COLLEGE TOWN IT USED TO BE!!! Most people could not care less that have moved her in the last 20 years. I hate UT and hope they loose every game because they are the last thing holding back Austin from being a major US city. Sure Austin is new to the population tier B in the US. However except for a large skyline and traffic and economy of a large city Austin has nothing else. This city needs something to rally around and give it an identity other than a liberal music city or town as most people consider it. Most people out side of Texas would be surprised to see the population numbers here. Most think Austin is about the size of Little Rock or other cities without sports teams. In this country A major city is defined by its pro sports period. I live south of Cincy which is smaller but you would never guess that on game day. The city is alive and together. Austin needs that!! Elon could write a check and have a team here next year. Austin needs to rally together to insist on pro team moving here. Until then the ATX will be college town and that is it.

“If you want to build a great city, create a great university and wait 200 years."

But yea, you right. UT is the problem so you hate UT. Sounds like a great plan. Keep hatin and stay Nasti 'looser.'

[JoninATX]

Originally Posted by zx14

Austin has the population and economy for a major sports team without a doubt. The problem is UT!!!!! Look AUSTIN IS NOT THE COLLEGE TOWN IT USED TO BE!!! Most people could not care less that have moved her in the last 20 years. I hate UT and hope they loose every game because they are the last thing holding back Austin from being a major US city. Sure Austin is new to the population tier B in the US. However except for a large skyline and traffic and economy of a large city Austin has nothing else. This city needs something to rally around and give it an identity other than a liberal music city or town as most people consider it. Most people out side of Texas would be surprised to see the population numbers here. Most think Austin is about the size of Little Rock or other cities without sports teams. In this country A major city is defined by its pro sports period. I live south of Cincy which is smaller but you would never guess that on game day. The city is alive and together. Austin needs that!! Elon could write a check and have a team here next year. Austin needs to rally together to insist on pro team moving here. Until then the ATX will be college town and that is it.

This reminds me of a time when I struck up a conversation with a lady from Arkansas. She kept saying how was much larger Little Rock was and how she never step foot in Austin. Well I showed her the proof and she got butt hurt about it.

[lzppjb]

Originally Posted by zx14

Austin has the population and economy for a major sports team without a doubt. The problem is UT!!!!! Look AUSTIN IS NOT THE COLLEGE TOWN IT USED TO BE!!! Most people could not care less that have moved her in the last 20 years. I hate UT and hope they loose every game because they are the last thing holding back Austin from being a major US city. Sure Austin is new to the population tier B in the US. However except for a large skyline and traffic and economy of a large city Austin has nothing else. This city needs something to rally around and give it an identity other than a liberal music city or town as most people consider it. Most people out side of Texas would be surprised to see the population numbers here. Most think Austin is about the size of Little Rock or other cities without sports teams. In this country A major city is defined by its pro sports period. I live south of Cincy which is smaller but you would never guess that on game day. The city is alive and together. Austin needs that!! Elon could write a check and have a team here next year. Austin needs to rally together to insist on pro team moving here. Until then the ATX will be college town and that is it.

NFL: Jerry Jones is not going to let a team in his backyard.
NBA: Texas already has 3 teams and the Spurs are just down the road.

That leaves MLB and NHL. I think Houston would get NHL before us. Baseball could be doable.

[Tyrone Shoes]

Austin will never land an NFL team. Costing close to a billion dollars (The average construction costs of NFL stadiums amounted to 777.5 million U.S. dollars.) a stadium built to NFL requirements (read lots and lots of luxury suites) to make said team profitable is not in the cards. Getting the residents of Austin-Travis County-Central Texas-the Hill Country-South Central Texas to vote to pay to build an MLB/NFL stadium is the major issue. The only reason Austin got an MLS team is the owner built his own stadium (with some limited city help). I would love to see an MLB stadium at the old American Statesman site. It looks like light rail will be crossing the Colorado River near and the skyline shots for tv would be awesome. OK with that said expanding Dell Diamond would be an option also one near Q2 if land is available for MLB.

[StoOgE]

This is why so many current stadiums are in the burbs. You just have to convince the mayor of Kyle/Buda/Hutto/Etc that putting the stadium in their city will make them billions.

[Armybrat]

Originally Posted by Maximusx1

“If you want to build a great city, create a great university and wait 200 years."

But yea, you right. UT is the problem so you hate UT. Sounds like a great plan. Keep hatin and stay Nasti 'looser.'

He’s probably an aggy.

[Jdawgboy]

Originally Posted by zx14

Austin has the population and economy for a major sports team without a doubt. The problem is UT!!!!! Look AUSTIN IS NOT THE COLLEGE TOWN IT USED TO BE!!! Most people could not care less that have moved her in the last 20 years. I hate UT and hope they loose every game because they are the last thing holding back Austin from being a major US city. Sure Austin is new to the population tier B in the US. However except for a large skyline and traffic and economy of a large city Austin has nothing else. This city needs something to rally around and give it an identity other than a liberal music city or town as most people consider it. Most people out side of Texas would be surprised to see the population numbers here. Most think Austin is about the size of Little Rock or other cities without sports teams. In this country A major city is defined by its pro sports period. I live south of Cincy which is smaller but you would never guess that on game day. The city is alive and together. Austin needs that!! Elon could write a check and have a team here next year. Austin needs to rally together to insist on pro team moving here. Until then the ATX will be college town and that is it.

I don't agree with your assessment about people not knowing about Austin or how large it is. Austin is now well known on the global stage, The amount of international visitors we get is evidence of that and it's year round, not just during big events. I also think most people in this country realize we are no longer a small sleepy college town. Our Asian and Middle Eastern population is growing and that is bringing in even more cultural diversity.

I don't think a sports team is a make or break sort of identity and whether people want to admit it or not Soccer is the world's sport and we have a pro Soccer team. IMO it fits Austin. I just don't see the reasoning behind having other pro teams here. I mean great if we get more but it's not really a big deal to me personally.

I agree with Tyrone Shoes that the majority of residents will not flip the bill for a stadium. If another pro team wants to be here, then they can build their own stadium.

[futures]

I never understand the argument of "Texas already has X teams".

Let's do a comparison to a random midwest state:

Ohio has 8 pro teams (MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS).
Ohio has 11.7 million residents spread over 44,800 sq miles.

Texas has 11 pro teams (MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS).
Texas has 29.3 million residents spread over 268,500 sq miles.

Seems like PLENTY of room for growth. And Austin is the absolute no-brainer for that growth.

The reason it hasn't happened yet is a.) Austin has only been a big player for 10-15 years and b.) we don't have city leadership or a billionaire pushing for it.