CLA not "NBA quality"?

[Spartan 658]

There is an interesting article in the Observer today about the Bobcats. Love 'em or hate 'em they are looking at playing up to two regular season games outside of Charlotte. The article specifically says that they are considering facilities that are of "NBA quality" and they specifically mention PNC Arena in Raleigh (NC State & the Hurricanes (NHL)), the Dean Smith Center (UNC Chapel Hill) and the Greensboro Coliseum.

My question is this: is the Colonial Life Arena not good enough quality to host an NBA game? I have been to the PNC Arena, and it didn't seem any better than the CLA. It's very possible that this is typical NC media bias where they report things as being relevant to "the Carolinas" when they really only mean North Carolina. That being said the article does reference Columbia and Greenville.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/10/18/3606741/home-game-in-triangle.html

[krazeeboi 115]

I wonder if "NBA quality" primarily refers to the number of luxury suites in an arena. I don't know the stats for that for CLA, but it's definitely new enough and has enough seats; two preseason Bobcats games have been played there.

[HopHead 1102]

I've never been to Colonial Life Arena, but krazeeboi is right. If the facility doesn't have the right number of luxury suites (whatever that number is) then it probably isn't considered NBA quality. If the Bobcats play 1 or 2 games outside of Charlotte, they'll want to maximize their revenue as best as they can and suites help do that.

Edited October 19, 2012 by wend28

[growingup15 43]

how about Columbia push for it's own pro basketball team. i know its a far cry but hey. i think the city people are ready

[CarolinaCrown 953]

how about Columbia push for it's own pro basketball team. i know its a far cry but hey. i think the city people are ready

LOL

[waccamatt 8]

how about Columbia push for it's own pro basketball team. i know its a far cry but hey. i think the city people are ready

The population base isn't quite large enough and Columbia is a college town

[growingup15 43]

The population base isn't quite large enough and Columbia is a college town

wow i didnt think anyone still cared about this post.

 

i think its more ready then fotball will be in this city. because a pro baseketball would be less drowning out as a pro football team will be in columbia.

[Spartan 658]

I think that IF a pro team (not minor leagues) were to ever locate in South Carolina, it would be in Greenville or Columbia. Regardless of which city, it would be as well supported within South Carolina as the Hornets were in both North and South Carolina when they arrived. Additionally, I think an NBA or maybe MLS expansion team would be the most likely to happen. That being said, there simply aren't enough people to support a team. On top of that, if the NBA expands it will be to Seattle, or some other major metro area that doesn't have an NBA team.