Sunset Park

In the spirit of the NHL and NCAA hockey's recent migration outdoors, the Phoenix Suns have announced that they are in serious negotiations to hold a 2008-2009 pre-season game under nothing but sky (read the article here). The venue in talks is the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, home of the Pacific Life Open. The Garden (not that one Boston fans) seats over 16,000 (the average capacity for an NBA arena is larger by a few thousand seats). When I first read the ESPN.com report, I felt pretty excited over the thought of these athletes playing in the sport’s most natural habitat. Who doesn’t love pick up games under the sun, stars and elements?

Not until I was viewing the official city of Indian Wells website did it strike me… this is all wrong. Sure the venue allows for a large number of tickets to be sold, but outside of that, how is Indian Wells the appropriate place? Ready for the real issue? The Suns roster is comprised of 9 minorities and 3 Caucasian players. That's 75% of the team. The city of Indian Wells? 96.33% white. Do I like to play the race card? Never- I hate doing it and I think it’s too often an excuse for bigger issues. But in this case, I can’t help but see the problem.

Why would you take a game that has been revolutionized by minority players and showcase it just outside of Palm Springs? Why would you make reference to the purity of the game by playing it outside and then play in a place where tennis and golf are a daily ritual after spa treatments and stock trades? Does anyone else see the problem here?

According to Wikipedia, Indian Wells is home to 4 world class resorts and more millionaires per capita than anywhere in the United States. The median age in the city- 63! Let’s break this down a bit: the NBA is about to make the historic decision to play the first outdoor game in front of old, rich Caucasians in a non-basketball city. My head is starting to spin.

What about Rucker Park? What about ‘The Cage’, Franklin Park or at worst, Venice Beach? At least Venice Beach can say it’s produced a few NBA greats and likely has a future star playing on their courts right now. The plus side to these venues: a basketball tradition, a diverse community and economies that reflect both the real-world and the real struggles that many NBA greats have had to overcome to make it to the league in the first place. Why is a place called ‘Indian’ Wells 96.33% white anyway?

I hate racial discussions that seem irrelevant, but this truly upsets me and I’m guessing it will make a few others mad too. I grew up a middle-class white kid in a small town in Wisconsin and dreamed every day about playing in the NBA until reality set-in. When it did, I had options- the support of involved parents, a strong education system and the resources to pay for a college education.

How many kids playing in the streets across this country didn’t have that, let alone a spa membership and access to dad’s Rolls Royce? How many kids could be inspired by this event if it was brought to an environment that speaks to them? Who cares about the tickets they would sell in a larger venue? Put this game in Harlem and I guarantee you that you'd have TV ratings that would make up the difference.

The NBA is about to make a huge mistake and I only hope this outcry is echoed by someone powerful enough to do something to prevent it.