Baseball terroritories

[julius]

One thing that always bugged me about baseball territories is how cities in different states can control what does or doesn't happen in your own state.

For example, Portland is considered Seattles "Territory". Parts of Oregon are considered San Francisco and Oaklands.

ALL of Idaho is Seattle, same with Montana.

So, even though I think getting a team here would be awesome, I know it won't happen.

But, reasons we've discussed aside (cost, draw, etc) this is pretty much the reason why Portland won't get a team, imho.

http://www.bizofbaseball.com/images/MLB_Blackout_Map1000x733.gif

 

[BrianFromWA]

I don't know, the Nationals set up shop a half-hour away from one of the more litigious people on earth, Peter Angelos.

 

[julius]

Here is an interactive site, that shows the big 4 + MLS

http://noahveltman.com/teams/

 

[BrianFromWA]

I think the business side of things is a way bigger hurdle than "taking some of SEA's territorial market". I mean, POR has much better weather during the season than Tampa does, and probably many more die-hard fans. But Tampa has a ton of regional headquarters and large companies and corporate sponsorship, and is still lagging (parking the stadium in downtown St. Pete doesn't help, either)

 

[julius]

I don't know, the Nationals set up shop a half-hour away from one of the more litigious people on earth, Peter Angelos.

iirc, a network was created to appease him where they (Baltimore) received a larger share of the channel compared to the Nats.

IMHO, Seattle can sit on a nail and bounce as far as Portland being in their "territory". If they want an NBA team, Portland should just say "fuck that, you're our territory now bitches!"

 

[julius]

I think the business side of things is a way bigger hurdle than "taking some of SEA's territorial market". I mean, POR has much better weather during the season than Tampa does, and probably many more die-hard fans. But Tampa has a ton of regional headquarters and large companies and corporate sponsorship, and is still lagging (parking the stadium in downtown St. Pete doesn't help, either)

I think that aspect of things is hugely overblown. As you said, Tampa has large companies and sponsorship, and is about to leave. Same with Oakland.

The Mets are in the media center of the known universe, yet barely compete.

It's about a well run business, and an ownership who is willing to spend the cash.

It's unfair, imho, to hold cities to the same standard that the LA's and New Yorks have in the world.

 

[BrianFromWA]

that's kind of what I'm talking about. People would think it's silly to say "Seattle can't have an NBA team b/c Portland owns that market". I think the reverse would be true with MLB (and to a way lesser extent, NFL).

In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to see 2 NHL teams up in the NW in the next 15 years.

 

[julius]

that's kind of what I'm talking about. People would think it's silly to say "Seattle can't have an NBA team b/c Portland owns that market". I think the reverse would be true with MLB (and to a way lesser extent, NFL).

In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to see 2 NHL teams up in the NW in the next 15 years.

I was, in a round about way, agreeing with you..I think?

I think Portland could get an NHL team before an MLB team, but I doubt either one comes to Portland because there's no one here who has a set.

I would hope that the Timbers success (one of the smaller markets in MLS) would bode well. And I think baseball has finally gone away from huge stadiums, for smaller, smarter ones.

Portland could build a nice, 35-40K seat stadium, incorporate some of the design from the Memorial Coliseum (making it a true memorial people ACTUALLY want to go to/know about/DO visit) and it would work.

Hell, use the glass from the MC as part of the roof maybe. How cool could that end up being? (they'd probably have to replace the glass, as I really doubt it's safety glass).

Use some of the wood beams in it too..it's totally doable.

Kind of like the Marlins stadium (although it looks weird...almost like it's from Tony LaRussa's old PC game from the 90's)

 

[julius]

interesting note, no team averaged more than 46K this year.

Biggest capacity is 56K (Dodgers) and the smallest is 35K in Tampa.

 

[MickZagger]

Cardinals have a huge fan base all over the West. Until the Dodgers moved from Brooklyn they were the closest team to the West and could be picked up on radio. Harry Caray used to announce for them when he was just a young drunk. Than along came the legendary Jack Buck.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Cardinals have a huge fan base all over the West. Until the Dodgers moved from Brooklyn they were the closest team to the West and could be picked up on radio. Harry Caray used to announce for them when he was just a young drunk. Than along came the legendary Jack Buck.

Really? I mean, I see some Cards fans here, but nothing more than I do for any other team. M's and Giants seem to have the biggest fan bases here, then the Yanks, Sox, Bums, and Cubs for various reasons.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

The territory situation is frustrating. I have MLBTv and watch it all the time. Then I go to the beach house, and I'm just far enough south that Giants' games are blacked out in Yachats. Yet, there aren't any options for me to get SF channels in Yachats.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

Not sure the validity of this chart but the giants have been blocking the a's move to San Jose for years.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

And let's hope it continues, Brainiac. The league have SF that territory years ago, and when Oakland was given the A's, they had to acknowledge SJ as Giants territory as part of the A's moving to Oakland. Oakland has no right to fight this. But I'm sure MLB will find a way to do what they want.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

I agree, Oakland acquiesced San Jose in a previous negotiation, so they need to come up with a better idea

 

[julius]

And let's hope it continues, Brainiac. The league have SF that territory years ago, and when Oakland was given the A's, they had to acknowledge SJ as Giants territory as part of the A's moving to Oakland. Oakland has no right to fight this. But I'm sure MLB will find a way to do what they want.

To me, that's 90% of why Portland won't get an NHL or MLB team. They just use Portland as leverage for another team to get what they want for their teams.

Portland was used big time by MLB during the Expos mess, just to line their pockets.

 

[santeesioux]

Just like LA with the NFL.