When teams are dying and their success and fan base are diminishing, relocating seems like the best solution. In the NBA, one specific team stands out in this category: the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Perhaps this move and the success of the Thunder have rubbed off on other owners.
Oracle CEO Larry Ellison has tried to buy a handful of teams with the goal of moving them to the San Jose, according to Comcast SportsNet. Ellison has made past attempts to purchase the New Orleans Hornets, Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors, according to the report, but hasn’t been successful… yet.
While it’s unclear if Ellison would be allowed to move any team he buys, it’s clear that NBA commissioner David Stern would approve of Ellison owning one. Stern has called Ellison a “terrific potential owner” at a recent news conference.
The Warriors recently announced the plan for a new arena on the San Francisco waterfront. This project could be complete in time for the start of the 2017 season.
Golden State has not had a winning season since the 2007-2008 season which they finished 48-34, but did not make the playoffs. Their last playoff appearance was the 2006-2007 season where they lost to the Jazz in the Western Conference semifinals.
Perhaps adding a new team to the area and building a new fan base could be the start of promising seasons in Northern California.