Evidently, fans in Seattle are not the only ones dreading the move of the Supersonics to Oklahoma City. As The Oklahoman‘s NBA insider Darnell Mayberry writes, some citizens are worried that “the NBA‘s presence would increase Oklahoma City‘s crime rate and drag down the city.”
Quoting one resident, “We don’t want the NBA, with its image problems, fatherless children, egomaniacs and shootings. No thanks.”
Another resident attempted diplomacy, by conceding that “of course, the NBA represents both the good and bad in society,” before blasting the league for “[representing] a disproportionately large segment of the bad behavior than does society in general. They are a very visible example of gangster dress, guns, extramarrital (sic) babies………..“
In the same article, Mayberry points out that “[t]oo many examples were heard from callers of talk radio shows and seen on reader comments around the Internet. Suggestions for possible team nicknames included ‘Posse,’ ‘Thugs’ and ‘Hoodlums.’“
Sounds like the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Considering that the Hornets spent two successful seasons in Oklahoma City, such sentiments are likely coming from a minority of residents. Still, perhaps such blatant ignorance should give the NBA pause before diving right into a market that has the potential to shun the league at a moment’s glance.
Link to The Oklahoman article found via The Sports Business Daily.
