Major US cities without a pro-sports team that could support one?

[maveric]

I was thinking OK City, Tulsa and Alberquque. Large population areas and not very close to other major league cities.
What about Spokane? Where do people from eastern WA go to watch pro sports? Seattle? That quite a haul isnt it?

[RoyGBiv]

1. OKC and Albuquerque, yes ...

Tulsa not so much.

The bulk of Oklahoma's population is within about 2 hours drive from OKC, and the OKC metro itself has the lion's share of that. Three major Interstate highways (I-40, I-35, and I-44) cross there. Tulsa is smaller in population and has only one of those highways, making it a bit more difficult to get to for most Oklahomans. Tulsa is also lacking in infrastructure. OKC has slowly been building itself to try to lure a pro team.

Success would depend a lot on the type of sport we're talking about. OKC's experience with the New Orleans Hornets has shown rather clearly it could support a pro-basketball franchise, even one that isn't very good. I doubt it could support pro-football, in part because of the OU Sooners. The USFL learned that with the Oklahoma Outlaws. OKC also has developed a rather strong hockey following with the Blazers, but that would be a problem for a pro-team. Baseball is another possibility, but we'd need a different stadium, and questions would arise over what to do with the Redhawks minor league team, which has its own following.

[BlueJazz]

2. San Fransisco

[maveric]

4. What about Las Vegas?

Would they have any kind of a fan base? I realize that most of the people in that city are from somewhere else...

[AngryAmish]

3. Vegas, baby

I am not really into Vegas but I would go in the summer if baseball was played there.

[maveric]

5. Too damn hot in the summer.

Unless they built a domed facilty/retractable roof?
I was thinking NBA team in Vegas.

[AngryAmish]

6. Retractable dome is what they do in PHX