Why do they always mention baseball when considering new professional sports franchises for Portland Oregon?
With the Rose Garden basketball arena already suited for hockey, I would think that NHL hockey would be the logical next choice (and I am not a hockey fan).
NFL Football is MUCH more popular among Portlanders than MLB baseball. At the local sports bars in October, even with baseball PLAYOFF games on the TV, most of the bar crowd is watching FOOTBALL!
And look at the sparse attendance totals for the Portland Beavers (Portland’s Triple A baseball team). I say if Portlanders decide to build a new stadium to lure a big league team they should concentrate of football, not baseball.
Am I missing something?
Chris, it isn’t a moot point. Paul Allen isn’t the ‘X’ factor for Portland’s chance of getting a second professional team.
Jeph, getting back to your question, the reason a baseball team is mentioned is that previous Oregon Legislatures considered using public funding to bring an MLB team to Portland. Until a subcommittee requests a feasibility study for an NHL or NFL team, you won’t see that idea gain ground.
The legislature is in session now but the May 1 deadline passed. That means no bill will be considered that hasn’t already gotten out of subcommittee.
Write a letter to your representative asking them to issue a feasibility study. Have your friends co-sign it. That’s the best you can hope for because no professional team will come to Portland without the guarantee of a major public investment (i.e. a new stadium).
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