Last January, I suggested some New Year’s resolutions that could improve the region. One idea: “The Atlanta Hawks should resolve to at least look into the possibility of moving back to St. Louis. Private investors should resolve to look into buying out the Hawks’ lease agreement in Atlanta and paying the relocation fee.”
The Hawks continue to make the NBA playoffs, but the franchise often finishes close to the bottom in attendance and value. In August 2011, the Hawks’ ownership, headed by Bruce Levenson, had a deal in place to sell the franchise to a developer from Southern California. But the deal fell through when it was close to completion.
If the team was no longer for sale, the situation changed Sunday when Levenson announced that he was selling his share for sending a "racially insensitive email” in regard to fans who attend Hawks games.
According to ESPN, it read: "I think southern whites simply were not comfortable being in an arena or at a bar where they were in the minority," and "I have been open with our executive team about these concerns. I have told them I want some white cheerleaders and while I don't care what the color of the artist is, I want the music to be music familiar to a 40 year old white guy if that's our season [tickets] demo. I have also balked when every fan picked out of crowd to shoot shots in some timeout contest is black. I have even [complained] that the kiss cam is too black."
Here is St. Louis’ chance to be the NBA’s knight in shining armor. With the Rams at low tide in regard to NFL franchise value (and fan approval rating after Sunday’s embarrassing home loss to the Minnesota Vikings), the chances of it getting a sweetheart deal for a new stadium are astronomical. The St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission put a deal on the table for about $124 million to upgrade the Edward Jones Dome, and the Rams countered with a plan for more than $700 million in improvements.
Somehow, the CVC figured it can come up with $124 million. But instead of offering it to the Rams, that could be the seed money to get the Hawks’ attention. Private money—and a lot of it—would then have to come forward.
Blues owner Tom Stillman desperately needs another tenant in the Scottrade Center. An investment in the Hawks would be an investment in the Blues, which would be a major investment in the region.
If St. Louis decides to make such a bold move, though, it could be in competition with Seattle. Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer came to the NBA’s rescue when he purchased the Los Angeles Clippers for $2 billion after Donald Sterling was forced to sell the franchise, following his own racially tinged comments.
Ballmer immediately stated that the Clippers are not moving to his beloved Seattle—but he remains resolved to bring an NBA franchise back to the city. With a new arena and a lot of big money fueled by Microsoft and other high-tech firms, Seattle is at an advantage over St. Louis.
At the same time, the Milwaukee Bucks recently sold for $550 million, which is more in St. Louis' price range.
While this is most likely a pipe dream, I still think St. Louis would embrace an NBA franchise, especially its former team. The Hawks departed from St. Louis to Atlanta in 1968, during an era in which the racial dynamics of St. Louis were reportedly a concern for Bill Russell. Maybe it’s time to show the world that St. Louis has come a long way since then—and since this August in Ferguson.
