The hand-made poster across from the bench areas said it all Thursday night: Larry H. Miller—Don't Shut Down The Starzz!
The crowd at the Delta Center was having such a darn good time, it couldn't bear the thought. Why ruin things by closing up shop? Why leave the movie just when the cavalry arrives?
The Starzz were in the thick of things until the Los Angeles Sparks went on a second-half run to win 75-67. Otherwise, it was a landmark date in franchise history. The playoff attendance was a season-high 14,823. The Starzz were in the second round for the first time. Karl Malone and Donyell Marshall showed up to provide glitter. The players competed with abandon.
Only thing missing was a win.
Things like 21 turnovers tend to get in the way of that happening.
So the Starzz must now win two straight against the defending WNBA champions in Los Angeles in order to remain in the playoffs. Odds of that happening: same as those on Tommy and Pamela reuniting.
Face it, the Starzz are history.
The only question is whether it's permanent, or just for the off-season.
As the Starzz advanced this year, their success has been tempered by persistent rumors that the team might be moved to another city. League officials are vague about the possibility. They admit the franchise is under-performing financially and attendance-wise. At the same time, they praise strides that have been made.
Coach Candi Harvey says she "resents" having to address the issue during the playoffs. Still, that hasn't deterred the reporting of what is an intriguing question: Will the Starzz be sabotaged by the bottom line?
In several ways, it is unfortunate that talk of moving the team has arisen. The franchise has never been so successful. The team won 20 games this season for the first time. Until this year, no Starzz team has advanced past the first round. Two players made the All-Star team, two others have been All-Stars. Yet another, center Margo Dydek, is arguably qualified for the honor, in the same way Mark Eaton was when he made the NBA All-Star team in 1989.
At the same time, owner Larry H. Miller has wondered more loudly these days whether it's worth the cost. When the WNBA was formed, he was among the owners the NBA asked to sponsor a team. Though Miller's business sense told him it was a risk, his sense of community, and loyalty to the NBA, won him over.
Since then, he has never made a profit on the Starzz. Miller is said to be losing over a million dollars a year. Though the Starzz don't travel by charter or make the money the Jazz do, they stay in the same hotels. Meanwhile, they remain around 1,000 fans a night below the league average.
So how long is Miller obligated to back a losing proposition? The franchise has existed six years. Even a car loan doesn't last that long.
Miller couldn't be blamed if he gave up now. He lost money for several years on the Salt Lake Golden Eagles, carrying their debts as a public service, until he could sustain the losses no longer. Curiously, he was vilified by some hard cord Eagles' fans, who seemed to think Miller was morally obligated to operate a business at a loss, for their enjoyment. Likewise, Miller shouldn't be expected to carry the Starzz, year after year, hoping things will turn around.
A WNBA spokesperson points out that it took the NBA 20 years to average 10,000 fans a game. Patience is necessary in most new ventures. Had Miller given up easily with the Jazz, we'd be watching the Anaheim Jazz or San Diego Jazz on television today.
But at this juncture, Miller should neither give up nor commit unconditionally. He should go public. Several years ago, Weber State was in danger of losing football. Then-coach Dave Arslanian appealed to the public, saying if enough season tickets weren't sold, the program would be shut down. The team survived, and WSU even has a fine new press box now.
Miller should give Utahns fair warning: Use it or lose it. Give the Starzz one more season. If attendance doesn't rise at least to the league average, and the losses don't diminish or even disappear, he should then call it quits.
Taking a chance on a risky but worthwhile venture is one thing. But taking a loss for seven straight years is something even rich guys shouldn't have to tolerate.
E-MAIL: rock@desnews.com