Like most guys, I'm a huge sports fan. While my preference is college football/basketball and baseball (go Cubs, this is our year) I also have an affinity for the NFL. In this case my team has and always will be the Kansas City Chiefs.
For years the Chiefs have played in front of packed crowds at historic Arrowhead stadium. It has long been considered the toughest place to play in the league (except in the playoffs, of course) and its following is second to none.
Now that all could be ending. The Chiefs announced today (somewhat indirectly) they are now in the LA Derby. The Race to the Rose Bowl. The Cascade to The Coliseum. Yes, LA has been without a team for 10 years now and the league wants a club their in the worst way. Expansion is out as the league is at 32 teams and wants to keep it that way. That leaves teams with bad cribs as the likely choice. The Hawk lists out the top 4 and why they are prime candidates:
Indianapolis Colts: They play in a bad dome in a small town. They also have the most exciting team in the league. Indy is not a large town by any means and it is a Pacers town first and foremost (its Indiana, basketball rules). Plus owner Bob Irsay is a movie producer. Odds on moving: 66%.
San Diego Chargers: They actually used to play in LA and are only 2 hours down the highway. San Diego is a small town that doesn't appear to be all that thrilled with ponying up for a new stadium. The town is in love with the Padres new facility Petco Park but not enough to want to double down on a new football stadium. Odds on moving: 20%.
New Orleans Saints: They play in a rat trap, but this is a football town. Owner Tom Benson's ridiculous ideas of moving to either San Antonio or, heaven forbid, Albuquerque, show that they need to clear the air ducts in his luxury box because he is sniffing something weird. However, their stadium is falling apart and the state does not appear to be willing, or able, to pitch in to help renovate. Odds on moving: 5%.
Kansas City Chiefs: Like Indy they play in a small town, but they have a long tradition and football is what defines the city. Although an amendment to raise a sales tax to refurb historic Arrowhead failed last Fall, look for this to get worked out. The Chiefs have said they don't want a new facility (the only one on this list who feels that way) they just want a renovation. However, if the legislature doesn't act, the Hunt's won't wait around. They are the saaviest owners of the 4 on this list and they would be the most likely to cut an aggressive deal in LA. Odds on moving: 4%.
Out of the Running...
Minnesota Vikings: New owner Zygi Wilff is a real estate developer and already has grand plans for a Zygi World in nearby Blaine. The stadium would be just a piece of it. The Vikes will stay put.
San Francisco 49ers: In 97' the 49ers actually WON a ballot initiative for $100 in financing for a new stadium/mall near Candlestick Point. But Honest Eddie DeBartolo fell out of favor with the law shortly thereafter and the deal died. Now that ownership has stabilized (albeit poorly) under Eddie's sister, look for Mayor Gavin Newson to get a deal done in the next two years.
LA represents a great opportunity for a team. Yes the league has survived without a team but being the owner of LA's football team is still a great opportunity. It is hard to blame any owner with a bad stadium to stick in his current home.
Hawk's View: In the stadium game it is all about leverage. Once LA is gone the three remaining teams in my top 4 will have significantly less leverage than before. Sure KC, New Orleans or San Diego could say they are moving to Indy (after the Colts flee and head to LA in 09') but that is not the same leverage point. Look for all 4 to try to get their stadium saga done before LA is announced. However, expect all four to work in parallel with the league to punch their ticket to Hollywood.
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