Joe Chacon's Blog
I feel it is fair to preface this piece by stating the Los Angeles Rams ripped out my heart in 1995 when they moved to St. Louis.
Much like the feeling some of you have felt with your beloved team relocating, it hurts. Especially when you are a fifteen years old and some of the best moments you had growing up was watching the Rams play at Anaheim Stadium with your Dad.
Here we are nearly 20 years later, I now have a family of my own and there has yet to be an NFL team call Los Angeles home since the Rams and Raiders left our city.
The knee-jerk reaction I hear from people outside of Southern California is, "You had two teams before and couldn't keep one of them, what would be different this time?"
So much has changed in 17 years. The NFL has flourished and the fans in Los Angeles are ready to rally around a professional football team once again.
What I want to know is, does the NFL really need us?
Think of how the NFL was in the 90's compared to how it is today. The NFL revenue in 1995 was $2.14 billion. In 2011 it was at least $10 billion. Furthermore, the salary cap back then was $36.5 million compared to the $120.6 million it is today.
It has become increasingly evident over the years that the NFL's stance on being back in Los Angeles is best classified as "It'd be great if that happened, but we've got other things to take care of."
Meanwhile, it appears that every two years football fans in Los Angeles who want to see an NFL team come back have a carrot dangled in front of them with the promise of a new way to get the NFL back in Los Angeles.
The latest and most reputable plan to get the NFL back in Los Angeles settles around AEG President and CEO Tim Leiweke. The idea is to privately fund a NFL stadium right next to Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles.
While there was a ton of momentum earlier in the year for this plan, it appears to have lost some steam and now the environmental plan associated with the proposed stadium is under a lot of heat.
I believe Los Angeles will have an NFL team within the next five years. Then again, I'm sure I said that at the age of 21, 26, and now 31. The carrot may still be dangling in front of me on a stick, but that carrot has never looked bigger than it does today.
Of course, that's if the NFL even needs Los Angeles. They seem to be doing fine without us.
What do you think? Will there be a NFL team in Los Angeles by 2017?
Joe Chacon is a staff writer for Operation Sports and a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @JoeChacon.
# 2
Kbenevides @ Jun 28
I think it would be great for the league, first financially, and secondly (and more importantly to the fans) FOR the fans. I'm from Rhode Island on the eastern coast, and while my team may be the Patriots (And Vikings oddly enough), I've always felt a little disembodied from them. Yeah, they're primarily a R.I/MA area team, but the New England tag just makes it somewhat impersonal. All the same, if I feel like that about a team that is for all purposes a hometown team, I can only imagine what it's like to not have a team at all in one of the largest/greatest cities in the country.
The Lakers, Kings, that Futbol team you trot out there, Dodgers etc... Great teams and history that could only be enhanced with an honest to goodness football team. I know how it feels to have a series of World titles in a city/area. The 05-08 runs of Boston/New England teams was a momentous time for me as a fan, being only 15-18 at the time, it was truly a kids dream coming true, and as much of a Red Sox fan I am,(and Twins...I'm not from Minnesota, Honest! Born in Portugal) The Patriots titles have always been more of a memorable experience for me. I streaked when the Red Sox finally one. I FLIPPED OUT when the Patriots won, each time.
I'd be very interested in watching an L.A team, even openly rooting for them, because I think it's what the league needs. With all that out of the way though, how is it going to get done? Nevermind the potentially gargantuan financial investment someone is going to have to make to get a team there, (Magic? Mr. Johnson? anyone got his number?) How is the league going to adapt? Will an owner sell a team and knowingly let it move? I think there's a major issue with this scenario, as there's an enormous amount of parity in the league, and most everyone has a shot and probably wouldn't be looking to have a firesale. The salary cap makes sure of this. (Take a hint MLB; I know, I'm a Red Sox fan. #Hypocrite)It's a given that there are some teams with MUCH less of a shot than others though, but many of those are rebuilding and would never dream of it. You're once loved Rams for instance, the Raiders as well. Young teams with bright futures who I don't see moving an inch. How about the Redskins or Browns? RGIII Drafted, and what I see as a very dedicated and strong fan-base in a city that needs a team, and thus will keep it. I do believe they need a mascot/Uni change though, as Redskins seems a bit dated.
I brought up the Chiefs with a friend and was promptly smacked. Also brought up John Elway, got a good chuckle before he went on a tangent about 'Ol Horseface'.Anywho, If they were to go the route of relocation the ONLY reasonable move I foresee, simply because of an over saturation of the market is one of the Florida Teams. Dolphins, Buccaneers, and Jaguars. Three respectable teams in my opinion, Buccs, Dolphins, Jags; that order in terms of quality, not likelihood.
- Marino and the Dolphins legacy would NEVER allow them to move, also it's Miami.
- Young electric team with the Buccs that have on again, off again competed and have a very fan-friendly stadium, not moving.
- Jaguars; I don't know too much about this franchise, don't claim to, but aside from MJD and a great prospect in Gabbert/Blackmon; I don't foresee too much promise in their future for another couple years. Likely to be a fringe team for at least another few years.
So, my opinion is the Jaguars are the most likely team to be moved if it comes to that. Complete disclosure: This is all uninformed an from the gut. I don't claim to know a lot, I just play the guessing game like everyone else outside of the rich guys that own these teams and insiders.
Not done yet though!
The other option, and in my opinion, the much more attractive option is adding two more teams! Logistically it's a hot-mess. Two Conferences, Four Divisions each; four team per division. Neat and tidy enough to fit into a 17 week schedule. Easy peasy. But other major leagues have done with an imbalance on a division level.
L.A is the first option for a two team expansion, but the second is a veritable crapshoot. My gut reaction, is a toss up between having an English team in London or someplace similar. The other location would be to have a Canadian team.
Let's explore the first option a bit here, England. NFL wants to expand its revenue stream and what better than going overseas, where we already host one game a year to a solid turn-out. I don't doubt an English team would draw upon a larger audience across the pond that from talking to a couple friends from there, (And one from Sweden oddly enough) they have a passing interest in it at the very least, one even being a proclaimed Detroit Lions 'Super-fan'. I think there's also an immense amount of talent to be tapped into athletically in England/Europe. Nevermind opening up the rest of the world to the sport. It may end up being the equivalent of the MLS state-side, but that's good enough for me.
The second option being Canada is interesting to me, and also much more likely. We already have a history of playing nice with them when it comes to Major sports. Candiens, Maple Leafs, Blue Jays, that one Toronto Futbol team... so the blueprint is there. I see Toronto being attractive, Montreal as well. that also happens to be the extent of my knowledge of Canada, despite a good chunk of my Portuguese family moving them when I was younger. This will also increase revenue stream and work on an already established fan-base.
I will admit though, I had an incredibly ignorant and close-minded thought during the writing of this pointless and overly long comment. It went a little something like this... "Why not let the Winner of the Candian Football League just sort of...Relegate up to the NFL?"
If you didn't catch why that's ignorant, look at it this way. They have their own thing going. I assume it works well, I don't pretend to have ever watched a game of the CFL, or even taken a passing interest in it, Lockout of not it was never a thought. Ever. Not on a quality basis, I'm sure it's competitive and fine. Personally, it's not what I grew up with, so; it being alien to me, I don't have interest in it. Petty and ignorant, I know. Anyways, for me to think like that, implies that the CFL is a lesser league. It's not, let me get this clear. You can say what you want, but it's their league, and while it may or may not make as much money as the NFL, it still works and does not need changing.
What could be done in it's place though is potentially create a team for the NFL around the Free Agency that I can only assume they have in some form, and allow players to sign with the new team fresh, also including them in the draft, creating a ONE TIME lottery year for draft picks. The ONLY time you'll ever see me argue for a lottery in a limited form.
This is running entirely too long, and I'm a horrible writer, so I'm sorry if your brain and eyes are bleeding if you somehow stuck around this long. These are my thoughts on a morning I woke up entirely too early on. It's a very interesting subject to me, that's been something I've talked about at length with multiple people. Agree or disagree with me, it's all uninformed opinion, so don't take me too seriously.
The Lakers, Kings, that Futbol team you trot out there, Dodgers etc... Great teams and history that could only be enhanced with an honest to goodness football team. I know how it feels to have a series of World titles in a city/area. The 05-08 runs of Boston/New England teams was a momentous time for me as a fan, being only 15-18 at the time, it was truly a kids dream coming true, and as much of a Red Sox fan I am,(and Twins...I'm not from Minnesota, Honest! Born in Portugal) The Patriots titles have always been more of a memorable experience for me. I streaked when the Red Sox finally one. I FLIPPED OUT when the Patriots won, each time.
I'd be very interested in watching an L.A team, even openly rooting for them, because I think it's what the league needs. With all that out of the way though, how is it going to get done? Nevermind the potentially gargantuan financial investment someone is going to have to make to get a team there, (Magic? Mr. Johnson? anyone got his number?) How is the league going to adapt? Will an owner sell a team and knowingly let it move? I think there's a major issue with this scenario, as there's an enormous amount of parity in the league, and most everyone has a shot and probably wouldn't be looking to have a firesale. The salary cap makes sure of this. (Take a hint MLB; I know, I'm a Red Sox fan. #Hypocrite)It's a given that there are some teams with MUCH less of a shot than others though, but many of those are rebuilding and would never dream of it. You're once loved Rams for instance, the Raiders as well. Young teams with bright futures who I don't see moving an inch. How about the Redskins or Browns? RGIII Drafted, and what I see as a very dedicated and strong fan-base in a city that needs a team, and thus will keep it. I do believe they need a mascot/Uni change though, as Redskins seems a bit dated.
I brought up the Chiefs with a friend and was promptly smacked. Also brought up John Elway, got a good chuckle before he went on a tangent about 'Ol Horseface'.Anywho, If they were to go the route of relocation the ONLY reasonable move I foresee, simply because of an over saturation of the market is one of the Florida Teams. Dolphins, Buccaneers, and Jaguars. Three respectable teams in my opinion, Buccs, Dolphins, Jags; that order in terms of quality, not likelihood.
- Marino and the Dolphins legacy would NEVER allow them to move, also it's Miami.
- Young electric team with the Buccs that have on again, off again competed and have a very fan-friendly stadium, not moving.
- Jaguars; I don't know too much about this franchise, don't claim to, but aside from MJD and a great prospect in Gabbert/Blackmon; I don't foresee too much promise in their future for another couple years. Likely to be a fringe team for at least another few years.
So, my opinion is the Jaguars are the most likely team to be moved if it comes to that. Complete disclosure: This is all uninformed an from the gut. I don't claim to know a lot, I just play the guessing game like everyone else outside of the rich guys that own these teams and insiders.
Not done yet though!
The other option, and in my opinion, the much more attractive option is adding two more teams! Logistically it's a hot-mess. Two Conferences, Four Divisions each; four team per division. Neat and tidy enough to fit into a 17 week schedule. Easy peasy. But other major leagues have done with an imbalance on a division level.
L.A is the first option for a two team expansion, but the second is a veritable crapshoot. My gut reaction, is a toss up between having an English team in London or someplace similar. The other location would be to have a Canadian team.
Let's explore the first option a bit here, England. NFL wants to expand its revenue stream and what better than going overseas, where we already host one game a year to a solid turn-out. I don't doubt an English team would draw upon a larger audience across the pond that from talking to a couple friends from there, (And one from Sweden oddly enough) they have a passing interest in it at the very least, one even being a proclaimed Detroit Lions 'Super-fan'. I think there's also an immense amount of talent to be tapped into athletically in England/Europe. Nevermind opening up the rest of the world to the sport. It may end up being the equivalent of the MLS state-side, but that's good enough for me.
The second option being Canada is interesting to me, and also much more likely. We already have a history of playing nice with them when it comes to Major sports. Candiens, Maple Leafs, Blue Jays, that one Toronto Futbol team... so the blueprint is there. I see Toronto being attractive, Montreal as well. that also happens to be the extent of my knowledge of Canada, despite a good chunk of my Portuguese family moving them when I was younger. This will also increase revenue stream and work on an already established fan-base.
I will admit though, I had an incredibly ignorant and close-minded thought during the writing of this pointless and overly long comment. It went a little something like this... "Why not let the Winner of the Candian Football League just sort of...Relegate up to the NFL?"
If you didn't catch why that's ignorant, look at it this way. They have their own thing going. I assume it works well, I don't pretend to have ever watched a game of the CFL, or even taken a passing interest in it, Lockout of not it was never a thought. Ever. Not on a quality basis, I'm sure it's competitive and fine. Personally, it's not what I grew up with, so; it being alien to me, I don't have interest in it. Petty and ignorant, I know. Anyways, for me to think like that, implies that the CFL is a lesser league. It's not, let me get this clear. You can say what you want, but it's their league, and while it may or may not make as much money as the NFL, it still works and does not need changing.
What could be done in it's place though is potentially create a team for the NFL around the Free Agency that I can only assume they have in some form, and allow players to sign with the new team fresh, also including them in the draft, creating a ONE TIME lottery year for draft picks. The ONLY time you'll ever see me argue for a lottery in a limited form.
This is running entirely too long, and I'm a horrible writer, so I'm sorry if your brain and eyes are bleeding if you somehow stuck around this long. These are my thoughts on a morning I woke up entirely too early on. It's a very interesting subject to me, that's been something I've talked about at length with multiple people. Agree or disagree with me, it's all uninformed opinion, so don't take me too seriously.
# 3
NaturalSelected @ Jun 28
Two things.
That was an eye-bleedingly long comment. I might need to save it to Instapaper and read it later.
2. The NFL can only improve their business with a great venue in Los Angeles. I believe it's that simple.
That was an eye-bleedingly long comment. I might need to save it to Instapaper and read it later.
2. The NFL can only improve their business with a great venue in Los Angeles. I believe it's that simple.
# 4
jWILL253 @ Jun 28
The league really doesn't need any big market teams like everyone thinks they do. I mean, most Super Bowls have been won by small-market teams. Sure, you have New York (Giants) and Dallas pulling their weight too, but... as a whole, professional football has proved to be a commodity in and of itself, rather than a city being a commodity for the sport, like the NBA...
# 5
Kbenevides @ Jun 28
Funny this pops up this morning. http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-e...medium=twitter
# 6
RogueHominid @ Jun 28
As an LA native, I, too, was crushed by the departure of the Rams. I would love to see them come back, and to ditch those terrible uniforms for the Dickerson-era ones. I don't care if they lose or not--I just want to see the Rams back in town.
# 8
DubTrey1 @ Jun 28
I'm with riichiieriich, Raiders back in LA - otherwise, no. LA needs nothing else in terms of sports teams.
# 9
Bmore Irish @ Jul 1
i've seen virtual plans for the stadium they want to build and it looks great, well placed too. but it sounds like there has been a stall in passing the proposal. besides, a team being moved to LA is used as leverage to get just about every city with an NFL team whose lease is up to build a new stadium. theres no question LA wants a team badly, and in that market the NFL could stand to gain, but they certainly dont need it. I could sure see it happening in the near future though
# 10
Shinyhubcaps @ Jul 1
I'm from a "small market" in Milwaukee, and we still have an NBA team, an MLB team, and a pretty big stake in one of the most historic franchises in the NFL. However, even though we're somewhat saturated, I strongly dislike the idea that big cities have some rite to any/all sports franchises they'd like. California may be the largest state, but they already have 15 of the 112 pro sports franchises in the U.S.
Also, the NFL doesn't need new markets to expand. The product is strong enough. I believe that the NFL does not need Los Angeles, but L.A. would obviously prefer to have the NFL.
I was in Costa Mesa less than 2 years ago, in August, and I noticed a lot of Raiders/Rams/Cardinals/Cowboys/49ers/Charges affiliations. As a Packers fan, I notice all of the fans in other parts of the country and the rest of the world. The NFL is not as localized as other pro sports, and I think L.A. has other options too if you consider the 2 high-profile college programs within 20 miles of each other.
Also, the NFL doesn't need new markets to expand. The product is strong enough. I believe that the NFL does not need Los Angeles, but L.A. would obviously prefer to have the NFL.
I was in Costa Mesa less than 2 years ago, in August, and I noticed a lot of Raiders/Rams/Cardinals/Cowboys/49ers/Charges affiliations. As a Packers fan, I notice all of the fans in other parts of the country and the rest of the world. The NFL is not as localized as other pro sports, and I think L.A. has other options too if you consider the 2 high-profile college programs within 20 miles of each other.
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