NBA Franchise Notes: 76ers Latest To Add Courtside Seats

In Philadelphia, Paul Vigna reports 76ers season tickets for 16 new courtside seats at the ends of the scorer’s table at the Wachovia Center cost $100,000 per pair, or “a little over” $1,200 each per game. The tickets include a “close-by VIP parking space, continual food and drink service, and entrance to all three clubs” at the arena (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 6/23).

BLAZE OF GLORY? FORBES’ Kurt Badenhausen examines Trail Blazers Owner Paul Allen’s ownership under the header, “How Not To Run A Sports Franchise.” Badenhausen: “Stick to a budget: The Blazers spent wildly on players beyond what their small-market revenues could support. Operating losses were $200[M] over the past five years.” Also, “Avoid criminals” and “Don’t give away the store: When Allen gave up ownership rights to the Rose Garden in 2004 he forfeited arena revenue streams from luxury suites and ad signage.” Finally, “Sell at the top: The Blazers were the NBA’s fourth-most-valuable team five years ago. But the $227[M] estimated value today is down 20%, ranking the Blazers 29th in the 30-team league” (FORBES, 7/3 issue).

AIR FRESHENER: Bobcats Managing Member of Basketball Operations Michael Jordan in his first public interview said that he will persuade Bobcats Owner Bob Johnson “to spend more on players going forward.” Jordan said of the team, “Mistakes have been made and some decisions should have been second-guessed. What’s been asked of me is my opinion about how we should attack this scenario, and I feel it has to be done on the basketball court.” Jordan said of participating in team marketing, “I’m not a seller. [Johnson] is fully aware I’m not a part of a dog-and-pony show. I want to build this team so that the team supports itself” (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 6/23).