Columbus mayor wants NBA team
Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 9:39 am
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Columbus mayor wants NBA team
COLUMBUS -- Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman has informed the NBA that Ohio's largest city wants to become home to a professional basketball team now that the city and surrounding county have bought Nationwide Arena.
A report said Coleman sent a letter to NBA Commissioner David Stern expressing interest in moving a franchise to Columbus or adding a new team.
NBA Vice President of Communications Tim Frank said he wouldn't comment. He said there are no plans to expand, and no teams have applied to relocate.
Columbus officials would face big challenges in luring a team, including finding financial support and standing out from other possible locations. They'd have to consider the city's professional hockey team, the Blue Jackets, and the proximity to another NBA team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are just 140 miles from Columbus.
Coleman cited the metropolitan area's 2 million people and 15 Fortune 1000 companies as draws to Columbus, AP reports.