Over the past few weeks New Orleans has been under siege. Hurricanes, floods, looters and incompetence have all attacked the 'Big Easy' like a plague of locusts and almost left the city to die.
But now the former party town looks like it is about to be ransacked again. And the surprising aspect of it is that the looters are the same ones who are helping to rebuild the city.
As New Orleans is still in the process of recovering bodies, its sports franchises are being lured away with the promises of a better future. The Saints and the Hornets could possibly both relocate next year. And the cities that are seeking to land them are the same ones that have sent millions in aid to the Gulf Coast.
It's almost a forgone conclusion that the Saints will not be in New Orleans next year. The logical spot seems to be San Antonio, which has made no secret of their wish to make the Alamodome the Saints' house.
The Saints are already in the midst of their season and having to virtually play all of their games on the road, including the several so-called home games that will be played in San Antonio and Baton Rouge, La.
But to me, the more intriguing story is what the Hornets are planning on doing. Since there is no way New Orleans will be ready to go by the time the NBA season starts in November, the Hornets had to find places to play their 41-game home schedule during the 2005-6 season.
Along with Nashville, San Diego, Kansas City, Louisville and Las Vegas, Oklahoma City vied to house the Hornets this season. And for some reason, the great state of Oklahoma was selected.
For 35 games this season the Ford Center will be the primary home to OKC's first NBA team. The other six games will be played in Louisiana. But for this year the team will be known as the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets.
The OKC city council ratified the proposal Wednesday right after the NBA made its selection.
It may seem like Oklahoma has jumped in the same bed with the other cities and states that are trying to feed off the remains of New Orleans. And those who believe that would be right.
It may seem like vultures picking at a carcass, but that is what business is all about. The Hornets were going to have to find a new home, so why not the Sooner state?
"If the games can't be played in Louisiana for whatever reason, I'm anxious for Oklahoma City to have a chance to prove that's it's a Major league market," OKC mayor Mick Cornett told The Associated Press.
Besides a team in the fledgling USFL, Oklahoma has never been home to a modern day professional team in the three major sports (I do not include hockey anymore when talking about major professional sports). And city and state officials are banking on the prospect that if they provide the Hornets a positive environment this season, in the future they will be in the running to be a permanent home to a pro squad.
Not many have ever thought Oklahoma would be a good spot for a pro team. It's not one of the biggest states in the country, its economy is poor and it already has two prime universities that get much of the state's funds and fans attention.
But I truly believe the state can support a pro squad. From Altus to Miami, the people have proven that Oklahoma is a great sports state. People outside the Midwest may not know it, but Oklahoma is ready to step on the main stage.
One of the promises the Hornets made for the deal to go through was that every NBA team would visit OKC at least once. The likes of LeBron James, Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal will all make their presence known on Bricktown at some point. That is only a small part of the profits the NBA team will bring to the city and the state as people from all over should flock to the Ford Center to see their favorite NBA star.
Katrina was a devastating occurrence that has cost thousands of lives and billions of dollars. Yet, making the best out of a bad situation is what successful people do. And Oklahoma officials have recognized this and have decided to follow the format.
Reach Michael Kinney at sports@altustimes.com
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