An article in yesterday's Oklahoman announced that Hornets owner George Shinn is seeking investors in the franchise.  Considering that the stated intention by Shinn, NBA Comissioner David Stern, and every person associated with the Hornets franchise is that the team will return to New Orleans "when the city is ready," it was surprising to learn that the investors being sought were Oklahomans. 

As with every statement made by someone in a position as political as a high profile business, Stern, Shinn, et al have been careful to include caveats to every public statement.  The vogue addendum is to add something about the city of New Orleans having a lot greater concerns than NBA basketball at this time.  Shinn's request for local investors around the Hornets current home is no different.  Contracts he hopes to have signed when an investor or group of investors is willing to take on a minority stake will include opt-out clauses should the team actually return to the Big Easy.  Now, I do not claim to be an expert in contract law or finance or even think I have a great grasp on business strategy (to be fair I do have an accounting degree)...but it seems like an awful lot of trouble to go through to get temporary investors to take a minority stake in a temporary move.  The very existence of such a plea by Shinn gives some indication that the planned return may not be as imminent as the NBA's public relations makes it seem.

If reports out of New Orleans media can be trusted, even Shinn has voiced disbelief, the New Orleans Areana will be ready for the Hornets in March when they go back to Louisiana for a few games.  If so, the team management would have little reason to pick up their option on Oklahoma City's Ford Center.  For if they intend to go back to New Orleans when ready and the city is ready in March, why would the team even contemplate extending their stay in Oklahoma?

Well, there are about 4,573 reasons.  That is the increase in fan attendance, per game, for Hornets home games this year.  Actually, it is more than that if you exclude the one game played in Louisiana (Baton Rouge) so far this year when an announced crowd made up less than half of their NO average.  After ending dead last in attendence during the 2004/2005 season when they played all of their games in a pre-Katrina 'Nawlins, the Hornets currently rank seventh in, what most consider, back-woodsy OKC.  The six teams that rank ahead of the Hornets are in enormous markets (Chicago, LA Lakers), are highly successful (Dallas, San Antonio), or both (Detroit, Miami).  While the Hornets are markedly improved this season, their 11-13 record and current residence make them the strangest sight among the top ten.

The sheer numbers only make up part of the team's attraction to the crowds.  Oklahoma has a reputation as a college sports market, and based on a lack of options that has been the case.  It is also ingrained into the fanbases way of cheering.  A college atmosphere is a raucous atmosphere where the fans adopt the players as members of their own personal fraternity.  That energy transfers to the team who feeds off the crowds belief in their chance to win.  The Ford Center enthusiasts have already been compared to Sacramento in terms of noise, but unike Sacramento, the OKC crowds do not use cowbells to inflate the decible meter.  (That is going to seem ironic to many.)  When Chris Paul said that it felt like a "playoff game" after his first game in Oklahoma City, he was talking about a preseason exhibition.  That has to be noticed by a team who has played around a fanbase known for wearing paperbags over their heads when their team is struggling.

Corporate sponsorship is another factor that Oklahoma has brought to the table.  No one looks at Oklahoma as a corporate haven, but the state posseses a strong hold on a segment of the market that is thriving right now...and always, for that matter...oil.  Kerr-McGee, Devon, and Chesapeake Oil, the three largest independent producers of crude oil and natural gas in the country also comprise the three largest sponsors for the New Orleans/Oklahoma City team.  None of those companies will continue their sponsorship if the team goes back because those companies, headquarted in Oklahoma City, do not need to advertise (oil sells itself).  The only purpose for getting their logos next to the Hornet logo is to get community recognition for who is helping to raise the city's profile.

So, now the question is why the Hornets would want to move back to New Orleans.  The only business reason is public relations.  When the owner of the NFL's New Orleans Saints, Tom Benson, even suggested a permanent relocation to San Antonio, he drew resounding jeers.  He was accused of attempting to desert a downtrodden city and received death threats from angered fans.  NFL Comissioner Paul Tagliabue was criticized for even allowing Benson to entertain such thoughts.  Certainly, Shinn and Stern would want to avoid a similar p.r. disaster.

Realistically, though, they need to consider a time when the negative response for announcing a long term move to the city of Oklahoma City would be least.  The groundwork is already being prepared.  First it is building roots through local ownership.  Next, it will be renewing the lease on the Ford Center for next season.  (Shinn has already hinted at this by tempering the estimates of New Orleans facilities being ready by March with accentuating that bids have not yet been accepted.)  Finally, a public announcement will probably be made.  That announcement will likely promise that New Orleans is on the top of the list for a future relocation (something currenlty promised to OKC), but that the city needs a lot more time for economic development before it is ready to support a professional basketball franchise.