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Michigan State's Travis Trice (20) walks past a celebrating Louisville team at the end of an NCAA men's college basketball tournament West Regional semifinal on Thursday, March 22, 2012, in Phoenix. Louisville won 57-44. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Thank you ASU.

Thank you Phoenix Sports Commission.

Thank you NCAA.

I love this town.

It's so great to see the NCAA tournament return to this town. USAC is packed. I hate to say it but it's been awhile since I've seen so many people in this arena.

As we broadcasted outside of Majerle's downtown, there was so much energy as fans were walking past. Four teams and their University traveling parties all staying in our hotels. Four sets of fans eating at our restaurants.

We have all four major sports. The Grapefruit League is a joke compared to our Cactus League. The highest attended golf tournament is right here along with two NASCAR races. We put on an outstanding NBA and MLB All-Star game recently.

Growing up in Ohio, I was always told the stupid joke, "if you don't like the weather, just wait 10 minutes and it will change." That's what we should say about the sports landscape in Phoenix. If you don't like what's going on now, just wait 10 minutes and another great event will start.

As I'm sitting on my moment of such a great high, a member of the national media asks me, "Why is Phoenix such a bad sports town?"

I had no idea what to say. Why are we one of the best cities in America at hosting sporting events but don't support our own?

I've heard it's the economy but Detroit is much worse off than we are and they go to the games. I've heard the teams don't win enough. The D-backs have more division championships in their time in MLB than any other team. The Suns are far superior to the Warriors as a winning franchise yet Golden State fans pack the arena while killing Suns fans in noise and intensity. I've heard it's because everyone is a transplant. As the sixth largest city in America and the 14th largest metro area, we don't need everyone to be a huge sports fan. If 1% of the city of Phoenix goes to an ASU Basketball game, a D-backs game, Coyotes game, or Suns Game, it's a sell-out (Cardinals and ASU Football have to set their sights a little higher and shoot for 1.25%).

I do have a theory on transplants. Phoenix has a reputation as being major fair-weather fans. Is it safe to say that it's the transplants who are the fair-weather fans? I'm beginning to believe the transplants are Phoenix fans when they're winning. When Phoenix teams are losing, a transplant just falls back to their old hometown team so they don't have to go through the pain of losing locally.

I understand. When I moved here, I kept all my allegiances to my teams. It's hard to give it up. Take a moment and look at the price of the home next to you that's for sale. Then look at the price you paid for your house. If you're in the same situation I'm in, you've come to the realization you're not moving anywhere. If you know you're here, why not be from here? When someone asks you where your from, start saying Phoenix. Announce today the renouncement of your former favorite team. Embrace being local.

11 Comments   |   Join the conversation »
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  • Abuse
    SpaceRig wrote...
    Couldn't Agree More
    Unless you're planning on moving back to where you came from sometime very soon; support your local teams.
  • Abuse
    Teddy P wrote...
    THANK YOU
    I could not agree more. If you love Pittsburgh, Chicago, Minnesota, Dallas, or Wisconsin so much, then go ahead and move back there. Enjoying the weather here while rooting for a team in your bad weather town is having your cake and eating it too. Good points by Paul H. bringing up all the KTAR staffers trying to have their cake and eat it too.
  • Abuse
    mesa mad man wrote...
    crazy
    Of course, it would be great if everyone could embrace the local teams. Fact of the matter is though, people move. That doesnt mean they need to change who they have rooted for the past 20 years. Having their cake and eating it too? As much as you hate to hear it, sports is a hobby for most fans. It is not their life, and does not predicate where they live.
  • Abuse
    Rob1966 wrote...
    Fantastic Post!
    I've been screaming this same point for years. It's so frustraiting to hear people say, "oh, I've lived here for 15 years, but I'm a Red Wing fan". You can still follow your old teams. Root for them at every game except against the local team. And please teach your kids to follow their hometown team. Not one you followed 30 years ago, or just because your father did. Unless you are serving prison sentance you chose to live here. Go all in!
  • Abuse
    ogflatlander wrote...
    middle ground
    Well it's one thing to have allegence to your old team but to not embrace the local team is what kills me. I think how I would be being a Cardinal fan and moving to another city. I would always have a place for them but I don't think I would flaunt and trash the local teams.
  • Abuse
    sundevil7901 wrote...
    Transplants
    There is no that says you have to give up the team you grew up rooting for.If you like sports, there's plenty to chose from in AZ!
  • Abuse
    Tennisgrandpa wrote...
    I cut my ties
    Its been a slow transition but the Monday night football game a few years back between the Cards and the Bears marked my completion to an AZ fan. Chicago teams make it easy because their ownership is the worst and they abuse the talent they have. Mark Grace was the last straw so when the Dbacks signed him I took it as a sign from God. Now I am totally AZ, lived here for 37 years. It's an easy out for the media folks to say, you don't have to give up your teams from back HOME. I'm saying it, GIVE UP YOUR TEAMS BACK HOME!! Grow a set and quit being a sheep, go AZ!
    Dale
  • Abuse
    Jarrod P. wrote...
    COME ON DOUG.....
    I will never renounce my Mets or Islanders. Even though they suck.. However, I love the D Backs.I root for them with exception of 6 games a year. No reason to renounce your team just cause you live here. But.. support the local teams.I support all the local teams. We go to games, buy gear, etc. You CAN embrace locality without giving up allegiances. The issue here is the fans suck.. They still cannot comprehend when to stand or clap at baseball games.. There is apathy to driving more than 5 minutes from their house.. Jarrod jrodamerks@hotmail.com
  • Abuse
    Tennisgrandpa wrote...
    Typical Repsonse
    Jarrod, here's the deal. Where I applaud you for your support of the locals, what bothers me is the typical repsonse from fans of teams in other places, it always comes back to "AZ fans suck". Where they leave alot to be desired at times, one, they're learning but the overwhelming part of this is, if you're not a part of the solution, you're part of the problem. You can never pull for an AZ fully until you cut the ties. You think AZ fans suck, then show'em how to do it. Talks cheap Jarrod. Dumping the teams I grew up with was the best thing I've ever done.
    Dale
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