Building Exec Says Hornets’ Arena May Be Ready In February

SMG Regional VP Doug Thornton said that damage to New Orleans Arena from Hurricane Katrina is “relatively minor and the facility could be ready to play host to NBA games” by the February All-Star break, according to Jimmy Smith of the New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE. Thornton: “The bottom line is we think we can get the Arena in shape and ready for use by the first quarter of 2006, if not sooner. ... We don’t think there’s any significant damage to the electrical distribution system or the mechanical systems such as the elevators or escalators.” Thornton added that Hornets Owner George Shinn “reiterated to him the team’s desire to move back into New Orleans as quickly as possible.” Several facilities that have shown interest in hosting the Hornets are operated by SMG, including those in Oklahoma City, Bossier City and Baton Rouge. Thornton said that the occurrence “is merely coincidence, though New Orleans Arena’s game operations employees would be available to work Hornets games in any SMG-run arena” (NOLA.com, 9/12).

POND FISH: While Anaheim City Council members Lorri Galloway and Harry Sidhu and Anaheim Public Information Manager John Nicoletti each said that “discussions to lure the Hornets to Anaheim had taken place,” Anaheim Arena Management Chair Mike Schulman said that his company, which operates Arrowhead Pond, “has not spoken with officials from the Hornets or the NBA.” Schulman: “We’re busy for this year trying to get a hockey team up and running. We are not in a position to be able to offer basketball” (L.A. TIMES, 9/13).

KANSAS CITY, HERE THEY COME? In K.C., Randy Covitz notes NBAE’s Peter Fink toured Kemper Arena last week, and writes the Hornets “could be a candidate to move into the Sprint Center when it opens in the fall of” ’07. Kemper Arena GM Larry Hovick said, “We pretty much put this year and beyond on the table. But they’re just looking around. In an effort to assist the Hornets, they are scouting the cities that have interest and fact-finding. They didn’t say yea, nay, or otherwise.” K.C. Sports Commission President Kevin Gray said, “We don’t want to look like we’re trying to be opportunistic, but now we’re at the point, if it’s good for [K.C.], we’re going to be supportive.” However, Gray “expressed some concern that the Hornets’ presence in [K.C.] could jeopardize AEG’s long-term strategy for the Sprint Center, which could include the NHL and not the NBA” (K.C. STAR, 9/13).