The Heist of the Hoopsters

The City of San Francisco has pulled off the heist of the Golden State Warriors from neighboring Oakland. Do the City leaders have no shame?

It's one thing if a team wants to relocate, as distasteful as that is if the team has a loyal following (read Baltimore Colts to Indianapolis), but another when one city blatantly lobbies to snag that team from a city where the team has enjoyed 40 years of strong attendance and a devouted following.

The Oakland Coliseum is an upgraded venue which offers the luxury boxes so coveted by the corporate set (would that the elites should actually rub shoulders with the hoi poloi in the common, but expensive, seating areas). There is a close-by BART station, bus transportation, freeway access and sufficient amenities which combined are a much better product than the franchise has placed on the hardwood.

Against that backgrop we find Mayor Ed Lee and the Board of Supervisors shamelessly digging a greater hole for the charisma-challenged Oalkland. What ever happened to regionalism, camaraderie among communities, compassion for struggling cities and a sense of fair play? Mayor Lee says he "...wants to create his legacy", but he does it by putting his boot on the neck of Oakland.

I understand that cannabalism by one community against another is, unfortunately not uncommon. We in South San Francisco fended off attempts by then Mayor Gavin Newsome to spirit away some of our biotech companies. The luring of sales tax generating companies with promises by other cities of tax breaks and reduced fees has not been unique ("...love to have your auto dealership and here's the deal for you..."), but the San Francisco deal somehow escalates the crassness of the pirating.

I've watched the Warriors prior to 1971 at the Cow Palace, the Civic Auditorium and even USF's gymnasium, all venues undeserving of an NBA franchise, but Oakland provided one and after 2017 will hear the sound of silence.