What an interesting coincidence that Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman picked now to speculate the NBA might let a team move to his city.
About a year ago, NBA deputy commissioner Russ Granik said Vegas wouldn't get a team if its casinos continued booking NBA bets. Goodman claims NBA officials have softened their stance.
Granik said through a spokesman Friday that as far as he knew, nothing has changed about the NBA's position. So if someone from the NBA gave Goodman hope, it figures to have something to do with the Hornets' and Magic's arena plights.
It became more apparent last week that viable relocation markets are less than appealing. Louisville, Ky., has political problems. Norfolk, Va., might not have the corporate wealth to support suites and club seats. St. Louis probably makes sense only if the Hornets are sold to Blues owner Bill Laurie.
Las Vegas is one of the few untapped markets with attractive demographics. The city is growing and obviously there's plenty of wealth there. It would be a natural if the NBA could co-exist with the casinos.
Granik once told me the NBA wouldn't accept a compromise, where only the local team's games would be barred from the sports books. But it's hard to believe casinos would give up all action on the NBA, just to bring a team to town.
I'm guessing someone in the NBA office encouraged Goodman so that Vegas stays interested over the next few years. If there's no viable place to move, the Hornets and Magic have no leverage to get new arenas built in Charlotte and Orlando. Then the league is in real trouble.