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NFL to Return to Los Angeles

Valadius Nov 11 2005 06:59 PM

Commissioner Paul Tagliabue met with Los Angeles leaders and announced that an existing team would try to be moved to LA perhaps by the end of the decade. That begs the question: who's gonna move? A likely candidate would be the New Orleans Saints, but the NFL knows that if they leave New Orleans, they will look downright despicable. So that gets put on the shelf. What we have to begin with is which teams to automatically rule out of moving, based on history or location. NOT GOING ANYWHERE New York Giants New York Jets New England Patriots Philadelphia Eagles Chicago Bears Washington Redskins Pittsburgh Steelers Cleveland Browns Miami Dolphins Dallas Cowboys San Francisco 49ers Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers Denver Broncos Minnesota Vikings Kansas City Chiefs Then there's teams in large markets that probably shouldn't move, but could: COULD BE TEMPTED Houston Texans Atlanta Falcons Seattle Seahawks San Diego Chargers St. Louis Rams Tampa Bay Buccaneers Baltimore Ravens Arizona Cardinals And smaller franchises: HMM... Buffalo Bills Jacksonville Jaguars Carolina Panthers Oakland Raiders Tennessee Titans Indianapolis Colts New Orleans Saints Cincinnati Bengals Here are some teams I think might be the one moving when all is said and done: Jacksonville Jaguars Arizona Cardinals Indianapolis Colts Oakland Raiders Thoughts, anyone?

ABG Nov 11 2005 07:00 PM

I'm not sure about the Vikings...weren't they a prime candidate a few years back? Has that much changed?

TheOldMole Nov 11 2005 07:19 PM

Indianapolis doesn't deserve the Colts.

seawolf17 Nov 11 2005 07:29 PM

The Raiders aren't going anywhere, as much as Al Davis postures. They're building a brand new stadium for the Cardinals, so move them up to the "not-going-anywhere" list. The Titans just got there, the Bengals are a draw again, and the Bills, Texans, and Falcons aren't going anywhere either. I'd say the likeliest candidate is Minnesota -- outdated stadium, new owner for whom nothing has gone right yet, terrible team looking for a new start. That'd be my guess.

Edgy DC Nov 11 2005 08:38 PM

If Arizona moves, can they trade names and uniforms St. Louis, and so get right with God?

SI Metman Nov 11 2005 08:45 PM

I'm betting it'll be the Saints. Owner really wants to move the team to LA. Arizona is opening up a new stadium next year I think.

mlbaseballtalk Nov 11 2005 08:53 PM

Don't be surprised if the Jets act "interested" Woody has hinted at doing so, and I don't think they've announced the stadium deal yet (I may be wrong so never mind if I am) so I wouldn't be surprised if Woody tries to play the "We'll move to LA!" card to get more of a sweetheart deal out of the Giant partnership

Valadius Nov 11 2005 09:12 PM

You know, I was toying with the idea of mentioning the Jets, but I was concerned at the backlash I might have gotten.

SI Metman Nov 11 2005 09:19 PM

Oh yes, I've heard the Jets idea thrown about for awhile now. I don't think the NFL wants to go the expansion route either, because everything is perfect with 32 teams.

Spacemans Bong Nov 11 2005 09:40 PM

I could see the Niners moving. Remember, Niners ownership is self-involved and cheap, and they would move for a free stadium.

KC Nov 11 2005 09:55 PM

The Jets aren't going anywhere, except into a new fancy home with the Giants and with equal billing. I think it's odd that this is even a story, Cal- ifornia's ability to have, hold, and keep (for whatever reason, it's a big fuckin' state) a couple of football teams happy and in one place for a long period of time has been a chore to say the least. Maybe it's payback for stealing our baseball teams.

Frayed Knot Nov 12 2005 09:28 AM

So now the NFL isn't merely content to just stand by and watch while some rich owner rips up tradition and fan support by abandoning a city for a better deal elsewhere, but now they're going to take an active role in facilitating it too?!? How nice. If history has taught us anything it's that any team can and will move at any time regardless of fan support. After all, it's not like the fans in Baltimore, Cleveland, Houston, Los Angeles itself (twice) & St. Louis, etc weren't coming to the games before those clubs skipped town. And we all know that the TV deal keeps these teams fat and happy before they even sell a ticket. What this is all about is how fat a deal the team can get (read: extort) from their current city by playing off against a threatened move to a town that thinks it'll hit the big time by luring a team -- 'River City's Going to get a Band!'. The dark side of the much-lauded revenue sharing system that the NFL employs is that there are only so many other ways for owners to make money and so perks like luxury boxes, publicly financed land/stadium gifts, and mucho generous parking/concession agreements remain the prime sources. The Saints owner was already talking about leaving N.O. before Katrina hit (I guess the Superdome has been OK for Superbowls every few years but sub-standard for reg season games) and, if anything, the perceived crassness of leaving so soon after the tradgedy may be slowing his exit down. Did you know, btw, that the state of Louisiana already directly subsidizes the team by paying them $16mil/year? And that's on top of the usual perks of free rent/all parking revenues, etc. In the meantime, I'm sure the league will continue spouting the fiction that since they're powerless to stop the carpet-bagging they may as well help it along. They can and should stop it, they choose not to.

OlerudOwned Nov 12 2005 02:38 PM

I'd look for the San Diego Chargers to move. They have the most explosive player in the leauge, and can't sell out in S.D., but an in-state move would let them retain much of their fan base. Or the Cardinals could draft Matt Leinart and move to LA in one offseason. How's that for marketing? EDIT: Too bad they have a new stadium being built in AZ.

Mark Healey Nov 12 2005 10:59 PM

SI Metman wrote: I'm betting it'll be the Saints. Owner really wants to move the team to LA. Arizona is opening up a new stadium next year I think. WFAN's Evan Roberts had an interesting take on this on Thursday AM..stating that "It's the Saints, and that stinks." He sounded pretty definitive, and based on what I hear, has pretty good NFL contacts. As an Atlanta Falcon myself, I hate the Saints with a passion, but would feel bad for that fan base. Of course, leaving after Katrina would be an arcane kick in the ass as well. Oh, and btw, the Birds aren't going anywhere...as Vick and Arthur Blank have energized that sleepy city to the tune of two straight sellout seasons...

sharpie Nov 12 2005 11:07 PM

Spaceman's point about the 49ers is a real possibility. That's the word I got from several people out there last week.

Valadius Nov 12 2005 11:11 PM

THAT would be a huge mistake. The most plausible non-Saints movement would be the Raiders shuffling back down to L.A. if we were talking about how much a metropolitan area can support, because I don't think the Bay Area can support two teams. But that's just me.

Elster88 Nov 14 2005 09:10 AM

Valadius wrote: THAT would be a huge mistake. The most plausible non-Saints movement would be the Raiders shuffling back down to L.A. if we were talking about how much a metropolitan area can support, because I don't think the Bay Area can support two teams. But that's just me. I doubt it's the Raiders. Oakland to LA back to Oakland and back to LA?

MFS62 Nov 14 2005 03:11 PM

And they can make Joe Foss the Commisioner again. The Chargers can't sell out in SD? I wonder if Balboa Staduim is still around? Or Jeppesen High School Stadium (Houston)? Ot Frank Youell Field (Oakland)? Ah, the old AFL. Those were the good old days. Later

sharpie Nov 15 2005 11:38 AM

The Bay Area can easily support 2 teams. It's the 4th largest metro area in the country and there are only 16 football games. It's all about luxury boxes and the 'Stick (now Monster Park) doesn't have enough of 'em. Would be a cruel blow given the LA-SF rivalry. You never can tell who is going to move in the NFL as none of it makes sense. Big market teams move to small markets (Rams to StL, Oilers to Tennessee) 'cause with sharing profits it matters not how big your metro area is.

Willets Point Nov 30 2005 10:50 AM

NFL announces who will move to LA.

seawolf17 Nov 30 2005 12:32 PM