RebKell's Junkie Boards

[petrel]

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory?id=8861546

A Detroit Shock official says the WNBA team is moving to Tulsa, Okla.

The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to The Associated Press on Monday because he was not authorized to make the announcement.

Detroit made its debut in the league in 1998 and won titles in 2008, 2006 and 2003. The Shock lost last month to the Indiana Fever in the Eastern Conference finals after rallying to earn a playoff spot.

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"May the enemies of the WNBA never meet a friend."

[JumpMan23]

Terrible news for Shock fans, but at least the Shock didn't fold. Tulsa should take good care of it.

[shock6666]

[shrrew]

End of an era for Detroit......


Glad there is still a place for the Shock players to be(hopefully). On the plus, they will be in a warmer place.....


Congrats to Tulsa for getting a franchise.

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(shrrew)

[pilight]

I wonder if the team will move to the Western Conference.

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If you want a revolution, the only solution's evolve

My WNBA Fan Site

[scullyfu]

major condolences to all the long-time shock sth's and supporters.

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Glen Beck has Nazi tourettes!...Lewis Black

[Knighthawk]

It's a bad day for me professionally - I've been covering the Shock for AP since the first game - but a sadder day for my family. One of the ways that I bonded with my (now-)stepdaughter was by introducing her to the Shock. She liked basketball, but these were girls like her!

She's 14 now, and has discovered other interests, but she wore her Tweety jersey to school on Friday, and she was crushed when a high-ranking member of the Shock organization told me that the announcement would be either today or tomorrow.

It's a bad day for us, and let's not forget, a bad day for several people associated with the Shock. The person who confirmed the news put it this way:

[JumpMan23]

[smenko]

Shit!

[Bretter]

I can't believe it's actually happening!

[Realcomplicated]

I feel for you Shock fans because I know how it feels to loose your team...It has got to be the worst feeling in the world.....The only consolation (if there is one) is at least the team isn't flat out folding!

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RIP Michael Joseph Jackson

And even when the groove is dead and gone, you will always be in my heart....

[caune]

THis does SUCK and is so sad for all the Shock fans and frankly, the players too.
My heart goes out to all of you

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"When Glenn Beck speaks, a little more truth dies."
Karoli

[smenko]

Well, here's what Tulsa is saying about it. Check out the comments section.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/default.aspx

Don't lock me out of this thread too. I just wasn't fast enough because I was talking to Computer Guy first before I talked with you guys.

I'm with ya Shock 6666--other than buying out what I can of Shock merchandise--no more Palace anything for me. It's strictly a business decision on my part Mrs. D. You'd understand if I don't attend any of your entertainment dates there right?

[uncommonclay]

so sorry shock fans ...

i guess congrats tulsa ... nahh too soon ... ; (

[Slovydal]

[toad455]

such a shame. at least we're not losing the Shock completely. Now if we only knew if Atlanta was staying another year.

However, to be honest, if the Shock didn't win the championship in 2003, that probably would have been their last season.

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LET'S GO LIBERTY!!!!!!

[SportsGuru]

I'm sorry for the Shock fans who supported and attended the teams' home games. I can remember as a tot following the Washington Senators baseball team after it's move to Texas, it was hard to let go.

I wonder if the move by the Shock to Tulsa will effect what happens with the Atlanta Dream (New Majority Owner or Dispersed).

I guess the Tulsa Shock will be in the WNBA Western Conference.

[Slovydal]

The Shock took season ticket renewals, knowing they would be moving.

ATL isn't taking season ticket renewals...

[quester]

[pilight]

[TwinCitiesDave]

Thank you to all the people connected with the Shock organization for doing so much great work over the years. You too, Knighthawk

Tulsa, you're getting a roster full of some of the best people in this or any other sport. Treat them well.

Honestly, as bad as I feel about this, I feel worse for the players and staff whose lives this complicates.


Congratulations, Ms. O. Your selective enforcement of rules and penalties finally confused and chased the casual fans away and you got what you wanted. FYI, people don't want to watch a sport where they're afraid someone on their team may get seriously and/or permanantly injured by someone who knows they won't be penalized.

[shock6666]

[scullyfu]

[ChicagoAnnie]

[psheehy]

Boy, losing your team to Oklahoma...something I know quite a bit about. The Shock fans certainly did not deserve this.

While I am glad we didn't see another team fold, I am crushed to see another championship city lose its team. I don't have a handle on how I really feel at this point.

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Bring the Comets and the Monarchs BACK!

[liqourish]

I'm torn. Part of me is pissed as hell even though I've known about it for a long time, but part of me is happy that the team isn't folding all together and that some of the players can stick together.

My feelings towards Palace Sports & Entertainment is very shitty right now. They handled the entire situation without any thought towards the fans. The WNBA is struggling for it's life right now and to disregard the fans, especially for the two most susccessful franchises, isn't going to help their cause at all.

[HistoryWomensBasketball]

Happy to see another city try its best to have a team in the WNBA.

However, I'm never happy to hear of a city losing a team. My thoughts to all of you out in the Detroit area.

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www.allamericanredheads.com

Currently co-authoring a book on the legendary womens professional basketball team

The All American Red Heads

[quester]

[luvDhoops]

I hate hearing this for Detroit fans, although I'm glad that the team didn't totally fold. I completely understand the growing pains of a beginning league, but damn if supporting the WNBA isn't like being in an emotionally abusive relationship.

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I'm a real rebel with a cause.
- Nina Simone

[sambista]

i don't pretend to understand the market dynamic, but i'm so very confused about how a city like detroit can't support a w team but a place like tulsa (no offense) can. when you think tulsa, do you really think basketball?

then there's nyc, which should have robust team support - of the millions in the region, how hard is it to fill the garden to at least half? - but doesn't and, by all rights, should be at risk of being moved. except for the fact that nyc is wnba hq.

then you've got l.a., which has more ostensible talent than any other team, bigtime celebrity support, a fuzzy salary cap, legitimate playoff runs, and attendance is atrocious. and nobody's talking about moving l.a., even though the bay area might show a w team some real love.

a level playing field? i think not. or is the equation simply one-sided - regardless of fan support, the key is who's willing to financially support it? i have my doubts about that kind of business model.

[sithinfiltrator]

I feel really bad for the Shock fans. Having sat in your shoes a couple of years ago when it looked like the Storm might move to OKC, I know the pain you are going through. When I thought that my Storm was gone, it left a big hole in my heart. The Shock fans I have met are some of the best and y'all don't deserve this.

As for Tulsa moving to the West, I just don't see that happening. I think a lot depends on what happens with Atlanta (if Atlanta folks, then they will need a team in the East) and also where the most likely expansion options are in the future. Most of the expansion team options seem to be in the West such as Oakland and Denver, so I would expect that Tulsa will stay in the East leaving a spot for a new West expansion team.

Once again, my condolences to the Shock fans.

-Lisa

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Lisa Stevens
Storm STH

[MNfan22]

So very sorry that you Detroit fans are having to go through this. Got chills when Houston lost the Comets & now I have to smh & sigh w/this development.

[imKarla_012]

[DTP]

Heartbreaking day...feels like I just lost a best friend or something. Its going to be so odd not being able to go to games anymore, support this team I watched develop in front of my eyes into what they've become today. So sad...

I've lost a lot of respect for Karen....PS&E....but whatever, guess its just business. I'm a former Pistons season ticket holder and was thinking about getting a plan this season too....not anymore. I doubt I'll ever spend my money to go to another Pistons game or anything at the Palace again. Like I said before, fuck Karen Davidson!

But I am glad the team can still remain together. Hopefully with liveaccess, I'll still be able to follow the team every game.

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www.myspace.com/dtp_3

"Thousands of hearts broken so a billionaire can save a minute fraction of her wealth...This is just beyond sad."

X_______________

[BCBG25]

So we're down to what, 5 NBA-owned teams (if you count Indy and their long-term perspective looks iffy)? Is Phoenix still fully owned by the Suns?
I am drawing a blank, but still, that's not the majority by any means.
There have been whispers about Sacramento and Minnesota ditching their teams, NY isn't going anywhere, so the big picture looks kind of blurry right now, but leaning towards independent ownership.

It's really a disgrace that this had to happen to Detroit and its fans (and many others before them), but historically championship teams get moved and it's heartbreaking only for the fans (Minneapolis Lakers - which ironically used to be the Detroit Gems -, Brooklyn Dogdgers, New York Giants, etc).
That to me is the downside of the franchise business model. In other sports, most notably soccer, the teams represent the city and its spirit, they don't just borrow their names.

My heart goes out to another formidable rival of the Liberty and its fans. They're dropping like flies (Sol, Rockers, Sting, Comets...)

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I'll change this tagline again when FFO resigns.

[liqourish]

The Shock ( ) will still be NBA owned. The Tulsa group is the same group who own the Thunder (Sonics ).

[MNfan22]

[Slovydal]

[DTP]

I work at a summer camp during the summers, only get 24 hours off total. Was really pissed that there was no Saturday home games last year which why I didn't go to many games at all...was hoping 2010 would be different.

Would love to be able to do laundry, make a trip to Chicago or Indiana and get rest all within 24 hours on an off day but that really just doesn't seem like something realistic.

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www.myspace.com/dtp_3

"Thousands of hearts broken so a billionaire can save a minute fraction of her wealth...This is just beyond sad."

X_______________

[Jackson51181]

Sad for all the Shock fans out there...never a good day when a city loses a team.

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www.twitter.com/C_Reilly2010

[hyperetic]

That really bites.

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http://windwalkerstudios.daportfolio.com
http://twitter.com/wyndwalker

[Linzin]

It's really sad to see the most decorated teams in the league being lost or moved. I never liked Detroit, but every league needs its villains too, and I'm sorry to see them move. I feel especially bad for the fans. I'm sorry things shook out this way.

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"This is serious. You gotta look at me like, you know, Nancy Lieberman."
-Sue Bird

[DTP]

I'm happy though...happy that the team for the most part does get to stay together and happy that the team is getting ownership that cares. I really hope Tulsa supports that team and maybe in a few years another team will be back in Detroit. Definitely won't be the same but you know...

Nolan Richardson, is he a good coach? Wonder if he'll bring Reeve along with him as an assistant. As for free agents, I'm hoping Ford ends up in Chicago and Taj re-signs with Tulsa. Would love Nolan to end up with Chicago too but don't see that happening.

As sad as it'll be, I can't wait to see the Tulsa Shock of 2010. That's if they keep the Shock name....if I were them I'd change it, Tulsa Shock just doesn't sound right to me.

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www.myspace.com/dtp_3

"Thousands of hearts broken so a billionaire can save a minute fraction of her wealth...This is just beyond sad."

X_______________

[shadowboxer]

I worry about all the Eastern Conf teams in general, if the WNBA continues to make decisions based on geographic movement of people and money over the next 10-20 yrs. The top draw names did not go to Western teams by the luck of the draw or sheer serendipity. Those were business decisions. Media market expansion has always been the mantra on Rebkell and WNBA sites. The East/Midwest is in the midst of contraction, through a combination of factors, esp. manufacturing. Until there is more diversification and subsequent investments in new/green industries in the midwest and eastern portions of the nation, we are going to continuing losing an educated population. We do invest in and develop our athletes, girls and boys, and have great support of girls/women's sports up through college. The expansion of the WNIT underscores the growth and support of female basketball through college. The step up to professional growth and acceptance of women's sports will hopefully happen in the Midwest/Eastern areas when economic/higher educational growth takes place as well. Excuse generalizations-this discussion is only IMHO.

[Knighthawk]

[hyperetic]

Somebody didn't tell Rick Mahorn because he was talking up how they were going to kick butt next season.

So no dispersal draft, huh?

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http://windwalkerstudios.daportfolio.com
http://twitter.com/wyndwalker

[Knighthawk]

[SportsGuru]

[SkyBull]

You have my condolences Shock fans. It's great that the team will survive, though.

[hyperetic]