Submitted by Money_Whisperer t3_z3ycz5 in Connecticut
cms59 t1_ixq1gaf wrote
Reply to comment by Money_Whisperer in We really had to let the Whalers go? by Money_Whisperer
I specifically said “population-wise” in my response. I’m aware that land size is irrelevant. The Detroit metro area alone has 1 million more people than our entire state, not to mention the other Michigan metro areas reasonably close enough to be looped in with Detroit as well. Besides, the second part of my point is the bigger issue. We are too close to other major metro areas to carve out a fan base for another team. It would not be profitable.
I should also point out that Detroit specifically has a long history of those sports teams being there. The Tigers were founded in 1894, and the Red Wings and Lions have been there since the ‘20s. The Pistons have been around since before the NBA. It’s hard to compete against established fan bases. The Whalers came around in the ‘70s when most franchises, especially in this New England/New York region, had been around much longer.
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