I have never quite understood why Mayor Fraim wanted a big-league sports team here in Norfolk. Not only would we have to go it alone in putting together the financing (due, mostly, to the Dillon Rule), I just don’t think Hampton Roads has the resources to support one. The issue of substitution – whereby folks simply chose to spend money on one thing instead of another – looms large. The last effort – to bring a baseball team here – relied on folks coming from as far as Richmond to make the numbers work.
Nevertheless, the pipe dream of a major league sports team lived on. At least, that is, until very recently. Today’s Virginian-Pilot contains an article that says the dream is over for the foreseeable future.
The best arena site is becoming a high-rise. The tax money to build an arena is going to a convention center instead.
[…]
…the city’s capital improvements budget is overflowing with projects that will strain spending for perhaps a decade. A new courthouse complex, four new libraries, light rail, a cruise ship terminal, the takeover of the battleship Wisconsin, new school buildings and plans to revitalize four neighborhoods will cost the city hundreds of millions of dollars.
And the city has a backlog of infrastructure improvements, including an overcrowded jail and deteriorating roads.
Nothing like a little reality to put an end to dreams. Hey, we all know how that feels, right?
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VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
I would love a professional team in Norfolk. But the city just couldn’t support a Major League Ball Club, or an NFL Football Team. I really don’t think the attendance would be high enough to be taken seriously.
Tidewater sports fans are a fickle group! We don’t have the base to support any professional team. Just look at the empty seats an any ODU basketball game – very little student support – or students in the seats- and they get in free. Sadly to say JMU had more student support last weekend at the CAA Women’s tournament. I can remember when we did have a semi-pro basketball team with Dr. J. They also played to empty seats… Too bad there is little support for our local colleges/universities. Even The Virginian Pilot doesn’t give any respect… Let Duke, VT, or UVA sneeze and it’s full page coverage on the sports page. The Lady Monarchs hold the longest consecutive winning streak in women’s basketball history (47-0 conference games) and consecutive conference wins for last 17 years. We have a gem here, and don’t even polish it! Get off your butts and support our local teams! Until we start doing that, you can forget any pro team for the area.