Posted on 11/28/2015 6:49:19 PM PST by Extremely Extreme Extremist
MERRILLVILLE, Ind. -- A group of lawmakers dreaming of bringing a professional sports team to northwestern Indiana is pushing a bill that would create a panel to pursue that goal.
Democratic state Rep. Donna Harris of East Chicago tells the Post-Tribune of Merrillville (http://trib.in/1OkGIQi ) that her bill would create a 19-member panel to study the possibility of bringing a pro team to the heavily populated region.
Harris is the widow of State Rep. Earl Harris, who died last spring and had long dreamed of bringing an NFL team to the area. Her legislation already has bipartisan support, with two Republicans and a Democrat co-authoring the bill.
(Excerpt) Read more at theindychannel.com ...
On the government’s dime no doubt.
Isn’t North-West Indiana just another way of saying Chicago?
Apparently not.
Although I don’t see them being able to support a 3rd baseball team; in fact I foresee the Cubs in particular objecting.
Hockey? There are 16 teams in the Eastern Conference; 14 in the West. Quebec and Las Vegas have each jumped at least one hurdle to getting a franchise, but that’s still 17-15. Awarding a franchise to Northwest Indiana would make it 17-16. If that’s how it falls out the NHL would want another Central Time Zone team to make it 17-17.
Football? There have been some rumblings about a team in Los Angeles - either new or relocated. Another team would balance the conferences if it’s a new team.
Women’s football (Legends Football League): Chicago Bliss....they’ve got a TV contract anyway.
Basketball? Hmm...you’ve got the Bulls and also the Pacers in Indianapolis.
Soccer? Chicago has the Fire for the men and the Red Stars for the women....
Lacrosse? There was the Chicago Machine....maybe Northwest Indiana could pick up where they left off.
Yes it is part of the Chicago sports market part of the Chicago metropolitan area. Is there enough population and interest and corporate dollars to support pro sports in NW Indiana? Not sure they have enough of the proper demographics or economics to support pro sports.
I’ve got a name for the team. The Gary Gangsta’s
The Hammond Eggers?
No way the Gary-Calumet Region gets a sports franchise of any sort. It’s pure rust belt; there’s still steel in Gary, a large refinery in Whiting and some other heavy industry. But the Region is more like Cleveland, and is too close to Chicago where all the local loyalties lie. And the Chicago sports team owners will never allow it.
I live in the area and I can’t imagine that happening, for all the reasons already given by others here. Fan loyalties are already set and geared toward Chicago teams. Plus, the really populated areas end east of Gary and south of Merrillville, which is not that far. I understand the desperation for some economic stimulus here, but I don’t think a sports team is the answer.
South Chicago.
Reading the replies so far, it seems to me that folks are missing the point. I doubt this is about anything more than...
“her bill would create a 19-member panel”
The Gary Gibmedats! I likes it!
If they want to stimulate the economy they should start up high end firearms manufacturing.
Plenty of need across the border in IL.
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