NFL Merry-Go-Round: Relocation Roundelay

[Mac the Knife]

Btw, why does Jacksonville have a team?

Because Paul Tagliabue was going to move heaven and earth to make sure the NFL expanded into new Sun Belt cities instead of Baltimore and St. Louis (even if at least one of those ciites was much smaller and would struggle to draw fans for many years).

Jacksonville also guaranteed visiting teams the most money at the time, $1.1M/game.

The 1993 expansion was undertaken differently compared to previous expansions. In previous expansions, the city/metro area was first chosen, then an ownership group for that franchise was selected. After the NFL's adventures with such owners such as Al Davis, Bob Irsay, and Leonard Tose, on the 1993 go-round they asked that not only did a city need to offer its credentials, but also an owner or ownership group be identified.

Um, yeah, all except for the part where... no, actually, the entire thing. Every time the NFL has expanded in its history (dating back to Dallas and Minnesota some 55 years ago), the league has had one (in some cases two competing) ownership group in place, ready to roll upon award of a franchise. Davis, Irsay and Tose? None were involved in an expansion process, and all were approved in accordance with AFL or NFL ownership vetting processes in place at the time.

[Gothamite]

Yeah, which cities were chosen and announced before they found an ownership group?

[The_Admiral]

I thought someone said the NFL granted a franchise to Tampa Bay first and ownership came along later. Could be wrong.

The NHL did that with the St. Louis Blues, but there was typical Norris House League skulduggery behind that.

[dfwabel]

I thought someone said the NFL granted a franchise to Tampa Bay first and ownership came along later. Could be wrong.

That is true. The original franchise holder, Thomas McCloskey, changed his mind six weeks after being awarded the team in 1974.

[Evil Doctor]

I find it interesting that the three teams that have announced their relocation to Los Angeles have all at some point in their franchise history called that city home. For those that actually follow the NFL, what are the chances that three will actually relocate there?

As a huge fan of Blade Runner, I approve of this gif....

[teddthebucfan]

I find it interesting that the three teams that have announced their relocation to Los Angeles have all at some point in their franchise history called that city home. For those that actually follow the NFL, what are the chances that three will actually relocate there?

It's highly doubtful that all three relocate there. As crazy as the NFL might be to get in I don't think they're that insane. I think it really comes down to the Rams and one of the two AFC teams, which at this point is probably the Chargers.

[colortv]

Does it really take more than even the slightest shred of common sense to realize all 3 teams moving to LA is a non-discussion?

Anyway,

We have multiple reports saying that there is a movement against the Raiders relocating:

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-nfl-los-angeles-20160107-story.html

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/blog/2015/12/oakland-raiders-los-angeles-nfl-mark-davis.html

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2605842-insider-buzz-momentum-building-for-rams-chargers-la-move-at-nfl-owners-meeting?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=web-des-art-top-16

It looks like it will be the Rams and Chargers.

[neo_prankster]

Does it really take more than even the slightest shred of common sense to realize all 3 teams moving to LA is a non-discussion?

Anyway,

We have multiple reports saying that there is a movement against the Raiders relocating:http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-nfl-los-angeles-20160107-story.htmlhttp://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/blog/2015/12/oakland-raiders-los-angeles-nfl-mark-davis.htmlhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2605842-insider-buzz-momentum-building-for-rams-chargers-la-move-at-nfl-owners-meeting?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=web-des-art-top-16

It looks like it will be the Rams and Chargers.

From the looks of things now, I say Rams and Chargers to LA as well.

Suppose the Raiders don't get the greenlight from owners, will any other city be willing to take them off Oakland's hands?

If the Bolts don't get picked, they will likely continue to reject every proposal the city tries to offer them, so I say let those guys take off. The Aztecs can satisfy our football cravings here in SD.

[FiddySicks]

Raiders to San Diego if they can't get in on LA. Keep that Rogue mentality going.

[The_Admiral]

If the Rams are denied L.A., they could be allowed to move to another market such as London, Toronto or even San Diego — which could siphon fans from all over Southern California. If that were the case, the Chargers might argue that San Diego should be left vacant so they could recruit fans from San Diego and Orange County.

I'd argue that the Chargers are a bag of diseased dicks. Get this Stockton scum out of the league altogether.

[Cosmic]

It makes more sense for one team to begin the return to L.A. rather than two, some owners believe, according to CBS Sports.

I have a bad feeling that the Chargers will end up in LA, the Rams and Raiders will both be left out in the cold, and San Diego will be declared off-limits. The NFL isn't that stupid, right?

[neo_prankster]

If the Rams are denied L.A., they could be allowed to move to another market such as London, Toronto or even San Diego — which could siphon fans from all over Southern California. If that were the case, the Chargers might argue that San Diego should be left vacant so they could recruit fans from San Diego and Orange County.

I'd argue that the Chargers are a bag of diseased dicks. Get this Stockton scum out of the league altogether.

As a FORMER Charger fan, I say amen.

[FDW]

Suppose the Raiders don't get the greenlight from owners, will any other city be willing to take them off Oakland's hands?

Let me rephrase that for you: Suppose Mark Davis gets blocked from moving toLA, will any other person with too much money be willing to pry The still valuable Raiders brand off Mark's hands?

Answer: Most definitely yes, but Mark is going to draw out the process as long as he can in the name of extracting capital from the team.

[colortv]

If the Raiders are left out of LA I'm sure the league will consider closing the $400 million funding gap for a new stadium as part of the solution.

[Cosmic]

Will every other owner want to essentially donate $13M to the Raiders, run by Al Davis' man-child son, instead of forcing them to go with their tail between their legs to Santa Clara?

[CubsFanBudMan]

I know no one cares about things like spelling and grammar anymore, but the fact that the Rams misspelled Los Angeles in their proposal to move to Los Angeles is just so perfect and pathetic at the same time.

[JayMac]

I think the Rams are a lock to go to LA. I feel that the Chargers have the next best chance. The Raiders will be the ones left out in the cold.

[leopard88]

Btw, why does Jacksonville have a team?

Because Paul Tagliabue was going to move heaven and earth to make sure the NFL expanded into new Sun Belt cities instead of Baltimore and St. Louis (even if at least one of those ciites was much smaller and would struggle to draw fans for many years).

Jacksonville also guaranteed visiting teams the most money at the time, $1.1M/game.

The 1993 expansion was undertaken differently compared to previous expansions. In previous expansions, the city/metro area was first chosen, then an ownership group for that franchise was selected. After the NFL's adventures with such owners such as Al Davis, Bob Irsay, and Leonard Tose, on the 1993 go-round they asked that not only did a city need to offer its credentials, but also an owner or ownership group be identified.

Um, yeah, all except for the part where... no, actually, the entire thing. Every time the NFL has expanded in its history (dating back to Dallas and Minnesota some 55 years ago), the league has had one (in some cases two competing) ownership group in place, ready to roll upon award of a franchise. Davis, Irsay and Tose? None were involved in an expansion process, and all were approved in accordance with AFL or NFL ownership vetting processes in place at the time.

He also left out the part about Jacksonville's ownership situation being so stable that Wayne Weaver backed out about four months before the vote. Obviously, he was coaxed to rejoin the effort. Whether that coaxing was directed by the league or not is open to speculation.

[Josh.0]

I think the Rams are a lock to go to LA. I feel that the Chargers have the next best chance. The Raiders will be the ones left out in the cold.

Agreed -- especially since the Raiders really teamed up with the Chargers because they can't afford to move themselves. Not sure what that means with the Chargers ... but, I see them eventually teaming up with the Rams in Inglewood. The only issue I see being there is Stan's willingness to share revenue and profits to Spanos liking.

As far as what that means for the Raiders? Not sure? I could see them sticking in the Bay Area teaming up with the 49ers in Santa Clara -- or building a new stadium in Oakland while temporarily playing in Santa Clara? I just have a hard time seeing them move to San Antonio, Oklahoma City, St. Louis, Portland or wherever. The only place that makes sense for Raider nation is the Bay Area or LA.

[STL FANATIC]

I know no one cares about things like spelling and grammar anymore, but the fact that the Rams misspelled Los Angeles in their proposal to move to Los Angeles is just so perfect and pathetic at the same time.

What page was this on lol? I missed that.