Just my opinion, but those guys were most likely thinking about closing up shop already. Banning 'problem members' is never fun--it's the worst part of running a message board. But it comes a thousand times easier than shutting down an enterprise you've poured heart, soul and a small fortune into building.
BGO would have a damned hard time handling a situation like the Vikings are dealing with now. We'd very likely lose some members, either by their own volition or ours. But the site would carry on.