Ryan backs San Antonio Marlins

[David in Jackson]

The Link

Can't see how this woudl be good for the Astros

[JimR]

do you think that is his primary goal?

[Froback]

I don't know if there is a rule against owning minor and major league teams at the same time (I know you cannot own 2 major league teams at the same time).

But article just talks about him supporting it, not being an owner of the new franchise (unless I missed that part).

I think Ryan is happy owning minor league clubs in Texas.  But you never know... maybe he does want to own a Major league club.

[JimR]

ya think?

[Trey]

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ya think?

It seems to me that you agree with my (completely ignorant) opinion that Nolan is dying to own a major league team.  Do you think he see the SA opportunity as his chance to be an owner?  Because it would seem that if there was a team in SA it would hurt his chances to have one in either CC or Austin/Round Rock.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

Uhh..  I think he stated he's interested!

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Ryan also suggested he would consider investing in the Marlins should they move here.

"You never rule things like that out," Ryan said. "We would be interested in seeing where the (Marlins) ownership is on that."

I'd watch another NL team in Texas.  The Astros will always be my preferred team, as a native Houstonian, but San Antonio is booming and could support a team.  A team in SA could also draw interest and TV air time in areas south of SA, like Laredo, or north, into San Marcos and even Austin (considering the 130 bypass is going to take you all the way to Seguin).  An in-state NL rivalry would definitely be more interesting than the current "Silver Boot" bullshit.

[JimR]

beats me. he does not confide in me, but he has stated publicly his wish to own an MLB club.

[Taras Bulba]

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Uhh..  I think he stated he's interested!

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Ryan also suggested he would consider investing in the Marlins should they move here.

"You never rule things like that out," Ryan said. "We would be interested in seeing where the (Marlins) ownership is on that."

I'd watch another NL team in Texas.  The Astros will always be my preferred team, as a native Houstonian, but San Antonio is booming and could support a team.  A team in SA could also draw interest and TV air time in areas south of SA, like Laredo, or north, into San Marcos and even Austin (considering the 130 bypass is going to take you all the way to Seguin).  An in-state NL rivalry would definitely be more interesting than the current "Silver Boot" bullshit.

I'm not arguing with you, but I do wonder if San Antonio could, indeed support a major league franchise.  I don't doubt they would improve upon the fan support in Miami, but how much more on a substained basis?

[Bench]

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Uhh..  I think he stated he's interested!

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Ryan also suggested he would consider investing in the Marlins should they move here.

"You never rule things like that out," Ryan said. "We would be interested in seeing where the (Marlins) ownership is on that."

I'd watch another NL team in Texas.  The Astros will always be my preferred team, as a native Houstonian, but San Antonio is booming and could support a team.  A team in SA could also draw interest and TV air time in areas south of SA, like Laredo, or north, into San Marcos and even Austin (considering the 130 bypass is going to take you all the way to Seguin).  An in-state NL rivalry would definitely be more interesting than the current "Silver Boot" bullshit.

I'm not arguing with you, but I do wonder if San Antonio could, indeed support a major league franchise.  I don't doubt they would improve upon the fan support in Miami, but how much more on a substained basis?

I got to agree with you, I'm skeptical also. I haven't lived in San Antonio since 1998, and apparantly the town is "booming," but based on my experience, an MLB team probably is not really sustainable. But it would be nice.

[BudGirl]

If the team can win people will support them.  Their problem would be getting people to go during basketball.  Spurs rule in that town, with good reason.

The more I think about it if Nolan Ryan stamped it, there would be a bubble of support.  And that town is growing, kind of crazy like right now.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

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Uhh..  I think he stated he's interested!

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Ryan also suggested he would consider investing in the Marlins should they move here.

"You never rule things like that out," Ryan said. "We would be interested in seeing where the (Marlins) ownership is on that."

I'd watch another NL team in Texas.  The Astros will always be my preferred team, as a native Houstonian, but San Antonio is booming and could support a team.  A team in SA could also draw interest and TV air time in areas south of SA, like Laredo, or north, into San Marcos and even Austin (considering the 130 bypass is going to take you all the way to Seguin).  An in-state NL rivalry would definitely be more interesting than the current "Silver Boot" bullshit.

I'm not arguing with you, but I do wonder if San Antonio could, indeed support a major league franchise.  I don't doubt they would improve upon the fan support in Miami, but how much more on a substained basis?

I got to agree with you, I'm skeptical also. I haven't lived in San Antonio since 1998, and apparantly the town is "booming," but based on my experience, an MLB team probably is not really sustainable. But it would be nice.

My in-laws bought a house in SA a couple years ago and only since then have I spent much time there. In that time, I've read multiple articles on the San Antonio housing market having max'd out current capacity and having to expand into surrounding areas.  Hell, my in-laws place is actually in the Shavano Park area, which apparently hasn't always been considered "San Antonio", although I may be mistaken on that part.  Either way, from Anderson Loop into 410, it's congested.  It may not be like the areas between Beltway 8 and 610 but it's getting there.

edited to add...
Whether the growing population would sustain a MLB team is an entirely different discussion.  As to the question of whether they have the population, I think it's a strong possiblity.  Another good question is what happens to the support for the minor league teams in the areas nearby, like RR and Corpus.  Although Frisco sustains a decent crowd, from what I've heard anyway, and they are only across town from Arlington.

[Bench]

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I got to agree with you, I'm skeptical also. I haven't lived in San Antonio since 1998, and apparantly the town is "booming," but based on my experience, an MLB team probably is not really sustainable. But it would be nice.

My in-laws bought a house in SA a couple years ago and only since then have I spent much time there. In that time, I've read multiple articles on the San Antonio housing market having max'd out current capacity and having to expand into surrounding areas.  Hell, my in-laws place is actually in the Shavano Park area, which apparently hasn't always been considered "San Antonio", although I may be mistaken on that part.  Either way, from Anderson Loop into 410, it's congested.  It may not be like the areas between Beltway 8 and 610 but it's getting there.

edited to add...
Whether the growing population would sustain a MLB team is an entirely different discussion.  As to the question of whether they have the population, I think it's a strong possiblity.  Another good question is what happens to the support for the minor league teams in the areas nearby, like RR and Corpus.  Although Frisco sustains a decent crowd, from what I've heard anyway, and they are only across town from Arlington.

I grew up in Shavano Park, and while it was technically a differenty city (like West U), it was still "San Antonio" as far as the post office and I were concerned. The growth is certainly clipping along. Hell, I-10 in between Huebner and 1604 was just undeveloped woods ten years ago. My sister-in-law's parents built a house out by Helotes about six years ago, and it was in the middle of nowhere. I stopped by over Christmas, and the entire area was turning into a collection of subdivisions.

I think San Antonio has the population to support a team (it's bigger than a few cities that have teams) and the traditional enthusiasm for baseball (the Missions have always been well supported). My bias lies in another demographic category, and that is the wealth of the populace. In my experience, S.A. was a pretty poor town. I think people will watch the games, but after the initial buzz ticket sales will die down, and in dividing money between the Spurs and the baseball team, Los Esspurs will get the lion's share.

Again, I realize the corporate culture of San Antonio has grown as well, but I haven't been there enough recently to let that augment my initial bias.

[BudGirl]

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I got to agree with you, I'm skeptical also. I haven't lived in San Antonio since 1998, and apparantly the town is "booming," but based on my experience, an MLB team probably is not really sustainable. But it would be nice.

My in-laws bought a house in SA a couple years ago and only since then have I spent much time there. In that time, I've read multiple articles on the San Antonio housing market having max'd out current capacity and having to expand into surrounding areas.  Hell, my in-laws place is actually in the Shavano Park area, which apparently hasn't always been considered "San Antonio", although I may be mistaken on that part.  Either way, from Anderson Loop into 410, it's congested.  It may not be like the areas between Beltway 8 and 610 but it's getting there.

edited to add...
Whether the growing population would sustain a MLB team is an entirely different discussion.  As to the question of whether they have the population, I think it's a strong possiblity.  Another good question is what happens to the support for the minor league teams in the areas nearby, like RR and Corpus.  Although Frisco sustains a decent crowd, from what I've heard anyway, and they are only across town from Arlington.

I grew up in Shavano Park, and while it was technically a differenty city (like West U), it was still "San Antonio" as far as the post office and I were concerned. The growth is certainly clipping along. Hell, I-10 in between Huebner and 1604 was just undeveloped woods ten years ago. My sister-in-law's parents built a house out by Helotes about six years ago, and it was in the middle of nowhere. I stopped by over Christmas, and the entire area was turning into a collection of subdivisions.

I think San Antonio has the population to support a team (it's bigger than a few cities that have teams) and the traditional enthusiasm for baseball (the Missions have always been well supported). My bias lies in another demographic category, and that is the wealth of the populace. In my experience, S.A. was a pretty poor town. I think people will watch the games, but after the initial buzz ticket sales will die down, and in dividing money between the Spurs and the baseball team, Los Esspurs will get the lion's share.

Again, I realize the corporate culture of San Antonio has grown as well, but I haven't been there enough recently to let that augment my initial bias.

It's all about Toyota.  

The Spurs deserve the support they get.  One of the most successful sports franchises in the last 10 years.

Don't rule out people attending games when visiting the city.  After all, tourism is big in SA.  How else did they pay for a barn and the AT&T Center?

And that 410 to 1604 area down 10 has blown up in the last 10 years.

[pravata]

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The Link

Can't see how this woudl be good for the Astros

I don't think it would be bad.  San Antonio is not in the Astros Nielsen market.  Loss or gain of viewership wouldn't affect their TV contract.  On the other hand, San Antonio is estimated by Neilsen as the 37th largest media market, 760,410 TV homes.  No major league city is lower.  The closest is Cincinnati, 34th, 880,190 TV homes.

[Bench]

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The Link

Can't see how this woudl be good for the Astros

I don't think it would be bad.  San Antonio is not in the Astros Nielsen market.  Loss or gain of viewership wouldn't affect their TV contract.  On the other hand, San Antonio is estimated by Neilsen as the 37th largest media market, 760,410 TV homes.  No major league city is lower.  The closest is Cincinnati, 34th, 880,190 TV homes.

Now that is an interesting fact. I think that supports the notion that San Antonio just doesn't quite have the wealth to support a MLB franchise.

At least until they institute revenue sharing.

[loganck]

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The Link

Can't see how this woudl be good for the Astros

I don't think it would be bad.  San Antonio is not in the Astros Nielsen market.  Loss or gain of viewership wouldn't affect their TV contract.  On the other hand, San Antonio is estimated by Neilsen as the 37th largest media market, 760,410 TV homes.  No major league city is lower.  The closest is Cincinnati, 34th, 880,190 TV homes.

Now that is an interesting fact. I think that supports the notion that San Antonio just doesn't quite have the wealth to support a MLB franchise.

At least until they institute revenue sharing.

Is Austin in the Astros Neilson market?  We sure as hell get blacked out on MLB TV.  
I just worry that a team in San Antonio would mean no more Astros on free TV for me.

[TangerineDream]

  I just don't see this working out. Nelson Wolff definitely has a hard-on for baseball, and has done a lot for it in our fair city, but I think he needs to have his leash jerked-back on this one. I just don't see our city being able to support MLB especially if they build the park on the south side of town (which if you know San Antonio politics you know that's where it will have to be). If they were to build it up in Comal County by New Braunfels or up by San Marcos and thus make it accessible to folks from Austin it might be a different situation (because per capita I'm sure Austin is much wealthier than our city). The problem is that Nelson Wolff is representing Bexar County and that is where he wants the team to be located.
  We have pretty good attendance at the Wolff for Missions games but MLB parks hold a lot more than 6300.

[Ty in Tampa]

No. Austin is it's own television market.

[Ty in Tampa]

That is San Antonio's problem. It's a BIG city surrounded by nothing. Tampa has less than half a million people but the TV market sports almost 2 million.