Wednesday, June 20, 2007

NBA Forms Committee To Study Las Vegas Franchise Proposal

Las Vegas mayor Oscar Goodman had submitted a proposal to NBA commissioner David Stern on how his city can handle and manage an NBA team. It looks like Las Vegas' goal for getting an NBA franchise is still alive because Stern appointed a committee of owners to submit the proposal submitted by Goodman.

It is quite well know that Stern is opposed to playing in Las Vegas as long as there is gambling in the city on the basketball league. Although, he invited Goodman during the All Star weekend to submit a proposal and he said that he would include it in the agenda when the NBA has its board meeting for two days.

Although the proposal submitted by Goodman did not contain any offer that would block betting on a potential Las Vegas franchise, it looks like the lack of one did not ruin the chances of Las Vegas getting an NBA franchise. Stern said that the owners after having discussions with the city officials asked for the committee to study the proposal further without any prejudice.

Deputy commissioner Adam Silver said NBA was forming an owners' committee that would consists of owners from stable franchise that had no possibility of moving. Besides delving deeper into the gambling issue, the committee would do a study on where the team would play and what would the relocation fee be.

At the moment, NBA has no team that could move. However, in a year's time that possibility could arise.

So, it looks like Las Vegas still has hopes of being a possible destination for the Seattle SuperSonics as no plans have yet been finalized on a possible site. Though there are chances the Sonics might move to Oklahoma since the owner Clay Bennett is from there.

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