We are going to prove to the world that Oklahoma City is a major league city. |
We are New Orleans' team, |
We need to make sure everything is ready so we can sell tickets and promote it. We don't want to embarrass the city and have only 1,500 people show up. |
We want to make sure, ... that you and the elders of this community will say after all this is over that this was worth it. |
We're going to have national exposure here; you don't want to have only 1,500 people in the seats. |
We've gone from being last in the league in attendance last year to being a t op 10 team in season-ticket sales this year, ... The fans here have really stepped up and made it happen. |
When we come back and what we do is a real good question. We're looking at Oklahoma City and here in Baton Rouge. Playing in the Arena has good and bad possibilities. If we could do it in a way that we'd have a full crowd, it would be ecstatic. If we have 1,500 people, it would be horrible. That might send a signal there was no hope there. |
When we go back to New Orleans, this city will get a franchise, I'm convinced, ... Whether the NBA is smart enough to come here or the NHL or the NFL or baseball, somebody will come here. This market is going to be too good for them to pass up. |
When we go back to New Orleans, this city will get a franchise, I'm convinced. Whether the NBA is smart enough to come here or the NHL or the NFL or baseball, somebody will come here. This market is going to be too good for them to pass up. |
You have been absolutely incredible and we are so grateful. Tonight is a celebration for Oklahoma City with what you have done for us. We will never forget this. We are so grateful. Thank you, thank you, thank you. |
[The Hornets will also have the option to play in Oklahoma City next season. Hornets owner George Shinn visited New Orleans last week and said he couldn't predict when the Hornets could return.] It's not just about if the arena is in playing condition, ... Will there be any fans? I don't know how many fans will come back, or how quickly they'll come back. I'm convinced New Orleans will rebuild. I can see maybe even being stronger. But how long it's going to take, I'm not going to touch that. This option was just a cushion, just to make sure if it got to this point. |