Interesting tidbit from a 1970 SI article

[freshnthehouse]

vault.si.com/vault/1970/04/06/merger-madness-and-maravich

Apparently there was talk of the Celtics moving to Long Island.

"13) Make money, not war. NBA teams are supposed to be so many Rocks of Gibraltar compared to the ABA franchises, but war is no respecter of tradition. Last week, while it was apparent that 11-time world-champion Boston had lost money over the regular season—and would miss out on its usual quarter of a million in playoff receipts—there was talk that the franchise would be moved to Long Island."

[jmost]

I didn't remember this. Apparently the owner, Woody Erdman, was from NY and wanted to relocate "his" team closer to home. Fortunately he couldn't get Nassau County to agree and then he went bankrupt, and with it, ownership of the Celtics.

In the 60s the Celtics never drew the crowds that the Bruins did, even with all the winning. Eventually it changed and the Garden began to sell out all the time.

[freshnthehouse]

JMost, totally unrelated, but where did you used to talk celtics before you came to celticsgreen? i seem to recall seeing the JMost name on another message board way back when.

[jmost]

I really can't remember, fresh. It was another small board that for whatever reason fizzled out.

[eja117]

There is no scenario where a Celtics team on Long Island would make anywhere near as much money. Just like all of Steinbrener's threats to move the Yankees were ridiculous.

[FLCeltsFan]

I'm very glad that the Celtics stayed in Boston. They don't need another NY basketball team. In 1978, Red almost left the Celtics for the Knicks but decided to stay with the Celtics. I don't think he would have been happy with the Knicks, just as I don't think the Celtics would have worked out as well in Long Island.