Baton Rouge will get its first taste of NBA basketball in more than two decades when the New Orleans Hornets host the Orlando Magic today in the PMAC.
Sports information director Michael Bonnette said this is not a regular event for LSU students and the Baton Rouge community to enjoy.
“There is no chance there will be a regular season game at Baton Rouge,” Bonnette said. “It is more of a chance for the Hornets to showcase the game to LSU students and the city of Baton Rouge.”
Bonnette said the Hornets play preseason games outside of the New Orleans Arena, their regular home arena, to extend their fan base outside of New Orleans.
Bonnette said the possibility of the PMAC hosting future preseason games depends on where the Hornets want to go in upcoming seasons. He said basketball teams tend to go to different cities outside of their area each preseason.
David Gardener, president of Blue Ridge Sports & Entertainment Inc. and the game’s organizer, said the Hornets want to play in other parts of the state to give fans live Hornets exposure.
“Over the next three years they may go to Shreveport and Ruston,” Gardener said. “They want people in the state to see the product.”
Associate director at the PMAC Jeff Campbell said the game benefits both the Hornets and LSU. Campbell estimated LSU will make more than $10,000 from the game that will go toward the PMAC’s general budget, which helps to pay for stadium maintenance, workers’ salaries and stadium-related expenses.
“It’s something for LSU students and community, and it generates revenue,” Campbell said. “We try to have as many as we can, we try to do as much programming for the LSU community as we can. We try to give different options for students.”
Despite selling only 2,500 tickets as of Tuesday, Campbell is confident that most seats will be filled. Campbell attributed the tendency of Baton Rouge residents to walk in on the day of the game as a reason not to worry about low advance-ticket sales.
Gardener said the Hornets’ management is confident people will like the product they see and is expecting a large crowd Wednesday. The Hornets perennially make the playoffs, and the stars Baron Davis and Jamal Mashburn are draws as well.
“They will probably play in Baton Rouge again in the next two or three years after visiting other Louisiana cities,” Gardener said. “There’s a load of talented players that are going to be at the game,” Gardener said. “Tracy McGrady, Baron Davis and Jamal Mashburn are all great players for fans to see.”
LSU students may show their student ID at the PMAC Box Office and receive a $25 ticket for $10.