Panthers up for sale, could the team be moved to Connecticut?

[Adios]

Laugh all you want but if Connecticut doesn't move forward, it will become part of the rust belt where billions of dollars a year will go to pay for welfare, and Hartford can rival Chicago for the most murders in the nation. We can build new prisons for all of the convicts. I can see an empty Aetna HQ, an empty space where the XL Center now stands, and most other businesses leaving for Florida or Boston -- within a few years.

On the other hand, for perhaps about $4 billion, we can turn Hartford into an entertainment, restaurant, convention and sports capital, with Disney and MGM taking part in the city's renaissance. For about the same amount we can upgrade and expand Bradley airport, connect it with downtown Hartford with decent modern rail service, and line the train route with small and medium sized high tech companies that will draw younger IT workers. UConn will be a key asset to make this work, and in the process UConn will become a top 10, research-driven AAU university. The tax revenue will make this work in the long run. I know which one I prefer.

Mexico City, London and Toronto also want NFL teams. Think Hartford really has a chance over them?

 

[TheDrifter75]

I'm guessing this kid is in 8th grade. Billion, million and trillion are not the same, to some maybe because 1 is just as far out of reach as the other. I suggest the Dave Ramsey plan, save 15% of your allowance and cash flow the whole thing as a favor to the state. You can do it, anything is possible in your world.

 

[BlueDogs]

I'm guessing this kid is in 8th grade. Billion, million and trillion are not the same, to some maybe because 1 is just as far out of reach as the other. I suggest the Dave Ramsey plan, save 15% of your allowance and cash flow the whole thing as a favor to the state. You can do it, anything is possible in your world.

Dave Ramsey In a nutshell - live like an animal, don't enjoy anything, and count your money in retirement. Total quack.

 

[Huskygamble19]

Yeah..Lets call them the Whalers.

 

[Hoophound]

Where's Scott Grey?

Lol. Living in a country club in Naples. Saw him there and then met people that know him. True story.

 

[Woof 101]

I still don't believe that to be true. Kraft would have gotten the best deal in history and really didn't end up with more than what he left on the table. Rowland blew it.

No attack Waq....but this is as silly as the OP...........

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

Aside from the initial post and others, it/they prompted some resulting interesting and insightful comments. Acknowledging media reports of declining NFL interest nationally, the linked WSJ article states the Panthers "...have sold out 225 of their 227 home games in team history, including 157 straight." It helps that Carolina appears to be on its' way to the franchise's 4th playoff appearance in 5 seasons.

Charlotte fan interest may be lukewarm and relocated fans of other teams reportedly frequently buy tickets from local fans, but sold out games are sold out games. Even if a new owner was to buy the Panthers with an intent to move them elsewhere, other US cities would appear to be stronger possibilities than Hartford. And, as others mention the NFL also appears to be interested in Toronto, London, and Mexico City.

NFL franchise as Insurance City economic stimulus? Seriously? No doubt, that would truly inspire taxpayers of other Connecticut municipalities already financing Hartford and potentially bailing it out of bankruptcy. Hey, you wanna invest in a sport with declining viewership, growing CTE concerns, the need for a likely taxpayer-funded massive stadium ... ? Fuhgetaboutit!

 

[Adios]

If the NFL can achieve the level of being a global gridiron league, which seems to be the goal, I'd assume the viewership will only increase and the grandeur of the sport would be enormous. Is that possible? Yes. That would definitely mean very few small market franchises, probably leaving historic franchises alone. But that will take a long time. The NHL will never be globalized, same with the NBA. They have leagues set up around the world that would compete with very solid footing and resources. MLB has global potential, that remains to be seen. Can easily absorb Japanese and Korean franchises.

Right now, Super Rugby and KHL are the only transcontinental leagues in the world, if I am correct. The NFL stands to be next in line.

When it comes to CTE, that certainly can be addressed to a good degree. I'd bet pro hockey players get CTE, too. Same with pro rugby.

 

[whaler11]

Anyone who invests in a stadium right now is insane.

Unless you’ve got something magic in it that changes the trend of people staying home.

 

[Marbles90]

Might as well throw in a full-size replica of the Mark Twain house, built entirely out of Legos.

OMG, this would be so cool!!

 

[Husky25]

Might as well throw in a full-size replica of the Mark Twain house, built entirely out of Legos.

OMG, this would be so cool!!

There is(was) already a scale model at BDL. It's pretty big and detailed, but certainly not "full-size."

 

[ConnHuskBask]

I'm pretty sure that it was either Nate Silver or someone else of the FanGraphs ilk that wrote a piece detailing how a "downtown" stadium had little to no economic on the surrounding area. The only people that lose were the tax payers and the only people that win were the owners.

This notion that a new basketball arena or even more insanely idiotic a new football stadium would cause an economic boom to Hartford that would come anywhere close to offsetting the sticker price of a new stadium is far fetched and based in reality only in message boards.

This is a quick article about the premise from a professor at Stanford (tied #5 in National Universities by US News FYI).

Sports stadiums don't spur economic growth, Stanford expert says

 

[LoyalFanCT]

I'm pretty sure that it was either Nate Silver or someone else of the FanGraphs ilk that wrote a piece detailing how a "downtown" stadium had little to no economic on the surrounding area. The only people that lose were the tax payers and the only people that win were the owners.

This notion that a new basketball arena or even more insanely idiotic a new football stadium would cause an economic boom to Hartford that would come anywhere close to offsetting the sticker price of a new stadium is far fetched and based in reality only in message boards.

This is a quick article about the premise from a professor at Stanford (tied #5 in National Universities by US News FYI).

Sports stadiums don't spur economic growth, Stanford expert says

That is why it would make more sense to have a covered stadium that can be used for conventions, trade shows, basketball, ice hockey, concerts etc., as well as football. It is more expensive, but it would be used more frequently and generate more revenue.

 

[whaler11]

That is why it would make more sense to have a covered stadium that can be used for conventions, trade shows, basketball, ice hockey, concerts etc., as well as football. It is more expensive, but it would be used more frequently and generate more revenue.

There is a brand new convention center in Hartford....

 

[LoyalFanCT]

There is a brand new convention center in Hartford....

Most key cities have at least one of these. There are often multiple venues.

Hartford is not a major conference center. See
Cvent's Top 50 Meeting Destinations in the United States

 

[mdkhusky]

One of the most absurd threads I've ever read. 0% chance

 

[whaler11]

Most key cities have at least one of these. There are often multiple venues.

Hartford is not a major conference center. See
Cvent's Top 50 Meeting Destinations in the United States

Does your 4 billion include a machine that controls the weather?

 

[whaler11]

We have a fantasy fiction board. It’s called conference realignment.

Can we move this there? It’s a nice side dish for the Dood or s w a i m.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

We have a fantasy fiction board. It’s called conference realignment.

Can we move this there? It’s a nice side dish for the Dood or sy.

Two words.

Horse Trading.

 

[Bonehead]

There is(was) already a scale model at BDL. It's pretty big and detailed, but certainly not "full-size."

I watched the State Police arrest a woman who decided to vandalize it one morning...made the flight delay entertaining.

 

[polycom]

No thank you.

 

[RyanCT7]

The original plans for Adriaen's landing included a dome stadium to allow UConn to become D1. I like the idea of a dome stadium, but everything else this guy is talking about is simply unreasonable.

 

[Exit 4]

I'm surprised this thread doesn't have more talk about acquiring the Hurricanes as part of an expanded North Carolina buyout.

 

[HuskyHawk]

The NFL's Panthers are up for sale. Could the team be purchased by a group who move the team to Connecticut. Then UConn and the Panthers could share a stadium. The local newspaper said there is no guarantee the team will stay in North Carolina. I know it was previously discussed that the Patriots were going to move to Hartford, but that sure fell apart. Still, Hartford would benefit economically if a pro football team locates there.
Will city’s ‘hard tether’ keep Panthers in Charlotte? Not necessarily.

Why on earth would you move a team from a booming high growth area like Charlotte, with no competing franchise for hundreds of miles, to a decaying place like Hartford, with three pro franchises, two of which are very popular, within a short drive of your population? There are few places that would be worse than Hartford, or Bridgeport or New London.