Los Angeles Jaguars? Los Angeles Bills? Los Angeles Vikings? It may feel strange to say them, but one of those names could be in use soon. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said Monday he will sign an environmental exemption bill which allows the city to build a new football stadium, potentially for the NFL. The bill was written with the goal of negating a lawsuit filed by Citizens for Community Preservation. The suit argued that building the stadium went against environmental laws. Instead of fighting or mediating the suit as they had done with a prior lawsuit filed by the city of Walnut, California lawmakers passed an exemption. After passing the exemption, all they needed was Schwarzenegger’s signature. "It's a sad day for California," said Howard Wang, vice president of Citizens for Community Preservation. "It opens up the door for other developers who are well-off enough to hire lobbyists to go to Sacramento and get exemptions from the environmental laws." The estimated $800 million project will begin as soon as the law takes effect, which will be 90 days after today’s scheduled signing. There is a signing ceremony scheduled at the 600-acre stadium site. A spokesman for the governor said Schwarzenegger “supports the construction of a stadium in Los Angeles to create jobs and bring the NFL back to L.A.” OTHER NEWS FROM THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK (THE BIZ OF BASEBALL) TBS Quotes and Interviews from NLCS Game 5 Mets Made $48 Million in Profits Through Bernie Madoff Donald Fehr to Receive $11 Million Compensation Package As He Leaves MLBPA Who Will Be the Mystery Interview? Upcoming Interview: MLB Network’s Victor Rojas MLB Sees Overall Ratings Up 13% for 2009 Postseason Dodgers Sign GM Ned Colletti to Long-Term Contract Columns Griping About Postseason Schedule Due to Chilly Weather Miss the Mark Snatching the Memories: The Tale of Ryan Howard's 200th Home Run Ball Dewey Beats Truman? MLB.com Runs Graphic Showing Dodgers Win Game 4 of NLCS NLCS Game 3 Viewership Up Nearly 12% From Last Year LWIB: Updates on Reforming the Amatuer Draft, and Revenue Sharing (THE BIZ OF HOCKEY) Easton Hockey Signs All-Stars Zdeno Chara, Ryan Gettlaf to Multi-Year Extensions (THE BIZ OF BASKETBALL) 250 Games Strong: ESPN Releases NCAA Women's Basketball Schedule Magic's Stan Van Gundy Fined for Criticizing Replacement Refs Brown, Hollins, Bobcats Receive Fines Matthew Coller is a staff member of the Business of Sports Network, and is a freelance writer. He can be followed on Twitter Follow The Biz of Football on Twitter Follow the Business of Sports Network on Facebook
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Latinferno said October 24, 2009
According to ESPN, California Governator Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill that will allow a 75,000 seat stadium to be built just east of Los Angeles. The NFL confirms that they are not interested in developing an expansion team, so the list of teams considered for the move are already in the NFL. Of the 7 possible teams moving to L.A. The Raiders, Niners and Chargers are all going to be apporoached as a possible new home.
While it makes sense to move the Raiders back to L.A. I think Al Davis is happy in Oakland (I heard a rumor that the Davis family has verbally committed to moving back to L.A. if Al passes away soon). The Chargers are in a legal battle (or have been) so it wouldn't suprise me to see them move to L.A. and they are probably my choice for a "new" team since I'm in Southern California. The 49er move would be weird considering all the history they have in San Fran. So I don't think that will happen. Or would it?
Of the other possible teams being rumored to move to L.A.? I think a few of them would be:
Jaguars: terrible fan base and lack of merch sales would prompt a move
Titans: Terrible season thus far. Owner is calling out the coach. Woudnt' be suprised if he's up for a change of scenery either.
Saints: Recent Katrina memories might keep them in New Orleans. But the reality of the ecological effects and the rising green house effect might make them change their minds..
Vikings: I'm not sure if they signed an extension on their stadium yet, but I know it was ready to expire VERY soon and they aren't happy with the facilities.
Lions: YES. That would actually be pretty cool. They finally got rid of Matt Millen and Detroit is in fanancial ruins. New uniform, new stadium, same ol Lions. lol But hey, they could be on the rise.
Bills: Ralph Wilson LOVES Buffalo, but they were considering outsourcing some of their ticket sales to Toronto this year. Ralph might change his mind or he could pass due to his age and his family might make it for him.
Rams: New ownership and they are familiar with L.A. Not my first choice by any means, but hey, something is better than nothing.
Anyway, that's the news and hopes that the NFL returns to L.A. Games will probably be held at the ROSE BOWL if a team is anxious to make the move while waiting for the new stadium. I'm hoping the decision comes sooner than later. Woiuld be nice to actually drive 2 hrs to see a game rather than 5hrs. Even if it's for a team I really don't like, I guess I'll make room for a "red headed step child". Thanks Arnold!
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With that said, L.A. is the second largest media market in the entire U.S. (behind NY). It didn't make financial sense for the NFL to leave L.A. Even though the city is dominated by crazed basketball fans (I'm not a Laker fan btw ha). There is still an interest in football here and ppl are willing to pay to see it. While the Raiders dominate most of the fan base in SoCal, I think a new team would be a welcome addition and ppl would be happy to embrace a new team (unless the Raiders or Rams return..ugh).
The reason why the other teams (Raiders/Rams)left L.A. was the citys inability to produce a new stadium to flow with the times (Collosium is in the stone ages, and the Rams got a much better deal in STL.). It wasn't a lack of fan interest that made teams leave, it was the lack of $ to provide an up to date stadium that made teams leave. Taxpayers did not want to pay for a new stadium to keep mediocre teams here basically. And I believe Gov. Grey Davis was killing our economy back then so ppl were not up to pay for more "big business" that ultimately did not benifit them.
California is the fifth largest economy in the WORLD and that says something. Of course we aren't the only state that has suffered a financial backlash, but probably one of the most affected due to the amount of $ that flows here. The stadium will be built by private investors so this doesn't cost the taxpayers anything. The ecological effects are minimal at best, and building a new stadium will actually put people to WORK. Boosting the economy in the L.A. area which is good for everyone. Most of the $ will be made by the owners and the NFL (like all teams in the NFL..ticket/merch sales etc). This is a huge benifit for revenue sharing for ALL NFL TEAMS.
While it's not really a big benifit to the California economy to have a football team in L.A. per se (other than the tourist boost over football weekend in the local L.A. area) It makes business sense for the owners and the NFL. There are enough ppl and interest to support one team in L.A. and there are enough teams in the NFL who are looking for a new stadium and change of scenery. The fan interest is there, the owners are looking to move, and private investors are willing to make it happen. A perfect storm. Now it only comes down to which team moves to L.A. At this point I'm at the "something is better than nothing" phase, but still would hate it if the Raiders or Rams returned. If you are going to build something new, let's go with a fresh start completely. I'd take the LIONS over either one of those teams. The Jaguars will probably be the most likely to move, but ppl here are wanting the Saints (go figure). We shall see..