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Franchise free agency isn't limited to the NFL

Sporting News, The, Feb 12, 1996 by Shaun Powell

Let's see: Raiders, Rams, Browns Seahawks, Spurs.

Which team doesn't belong? Well, the Spurs, for now. But they may soon announce an intention to move if conditions in the Alamodome aren't improved to their liking.

The questionable status of the Spurs should be a hot topic this week in San Antonio, site of the NBA's All-Star Weekend. Three years ago when the All-Star Game was in Minneapolis, the Timberwolves were on shaky financial ground. They nearly were relocated to New Orleans before Minnesota businessman Glen Taylor was found at the 11th hour and the team stayed up the Mississippi.

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Once again, however, New Orleans is hot after another NBA property. Spurs officials acknowledge that a group from New Orleans offered to buy the franchise for $140 million, a steep price considering some financial sources put the team's worth at an estimated $80 million. New Orleans is building an 18,500-seat arena next to the Superdome and would love an NBA team as a tenant.

But why would the Spurs, who often draw crowds in excess of 23,000 at the Alamodome, even consider moving?

Last summer, Owner Robert McDermott said the club is in danger of losing money. The team says its revenues will be skimpy as long as it plays in a football stadium that lacks enough money-generating amenities such as luxury suites (the dome has 34; some arenas have 50) and club seats. The season-ticket base is 9,000, about 3,000 shy of some NBA teams.

Moving into a new arena in San Antonio is almost out of the question. The dome was built just three years ago at a cost of $186 million. By building the dome, the city had hoped to lure an NFL franchise. The previous owners thought the team could make a healthy profit in the Alamodomet, but so far, the current owners say those projections have proved a bit off.

The city also qualifies as a small-market town, and there isn't a firm corporate base to fill up luxury boxes even if the Spurs had more. President Jack Diller says the Spurs can turn a profit only if they make the Western Conference finals.

"It's a battle," Diller says. "Our ownership is committed to do everything possible to make it work in San Antonio. We've had opportunities to move elsewhere, but it's our intention to stay. It's also our intention to pay our bills. As long as we pay our bills and show some return, we will stay here."

The Spurs have put a temporary hold on all move talks until they exhaust their efforts to generate more money from the Alamodome. The NBA has been a picture of stability compared with the NFL. An NBA team hasn't relocated since the Kings shifted from Kansas City to Sacramento 10 years ago.

But today's bottom-line economics and thirst for sweet deals may doom the Spurs in San Antonio.

Sparkplug

Charles Barkley says come April, the Suns will be the team with the best chance to challenge the Rockets in the West. That may be wishful thinking, but there is one reason for optimism: Danny Manning's return.

Coach Cotton Fitzsimmons says Manning's impact is comparable to that of Magic Johnson's return to the Lakers.

"I know Magic will make everyone on the Lakers better," Fitzsimmons says. "That's what I'm counting on from Danny. He truly understands the game."

Whether Manning can become the player he was before his knee injury is questionable. He is traveling with a personal attendant and putting in extra hours.

One thing's for sure: Manning's return will mean less playing time for a few Suns. Since Fitzsimmons was named coach, Wayman Tisdale and A.C. Green have seen reduced minutes.

Bricklayers

This season is shaping u p as an all-time low for free-throw shooting. The Blazers are bricking away at 63 percent and are threatening to erase the 67-68 Sixers' record of 63.5 percent.

Chris Dudley, no surprise, is among the flagrant offenders. But this is a team effort. Even Clifford Robinson and Rod Strickland, the Blazers' would-be All-Stars, are below 64 percent. Dudley actually had the nerve to tell a reporter to quit writing about the team's inept free-throw shooting, because bad press makes it worse.

If the Blazers were shooting at the league average of about 74 percent, they likely would have six or seven more victories. They went 11 for 23 in a four-point loss to the Spurs, 19 for 31 in a four-point loss to the Sonics, and Robinson blew two with five seconds left in a last-second loss to the Jazz.

But the Blazers aren't the only ones throwing bricks. Shaq has regressed terribly and threatens to go below 50 percent for the season. Horry's story

One reason the defending-champion Rockets have looked ordinary some nights is the surprisingly average play of Robert Horry.

This was supposed to be a breakthrough season for Horry, who keyed several playoff victories last spring and was huge in the Finals. At the very least, Horry was expected to be an All-Star. Instead, he is shooting 31 percent on 3-pointers and seldom shoots 50 percent in games. The same reasons the Rockets tried to trade Horry to the Pistons two years ago are now resurfacing.

Franchise free agency isn't limited to the NFL

Sporting News, The, Feb 12, 1996 by Shaun Powell

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