Which city should be first in line for an NBA team, should one relocate or an expansion franchise be created?Louisville, writes attorney Darren Heitner on Forbes.com.Heitner is a professor of sports management at Indiana University and the founder of the Sports Agent Blog. He writes that Seattle and Virginia Beach are contenders, too, but Louisville has advantages such as an existing NBA-caliber arena and demonstrated support for basketball, albeit at the college level.In theForbes.com piece,Heitner writes: While Seattle would be an excellent choice for an expansion NBA franchise or an existing team’s relocation (the city plans to build a new $490 million arena) and Virginia Beach has shown plenty of interest in moving the Kings to its shore, they are not the only cities worthy of an NBA team within their borders. There are many reasons to place Louisville, Kentucky at the top of that list. And whereas Seattle and Virginia Beach are not immediately available as destinations for an NBA team, Louisville is in a position to accept a franchise as early as today. Although not everyone agrees.Heitner delves into the particulars ofLouisville's situation-- the recent study that downplayed the benefits to the city, the response from NBA advocates, Mayor Greg Fischer's support, the University of Louisville's lease with the KFC Yum! Center.But, he concludes, "There are too many signs of success concerning an NBA team in Louisville for the NBA and its teams to ignore."As it happens, WFPL will have aspecial at 1 p.m. todayon this very issue.
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