I think Atlanta will work harder to keep the Falcons now that they have lost 2 NHL franchises in 30 years....the city will get behind keeping the other teams (Braves are obviously going nowhere since they just built a new stadium) as a pride thing, sorta like how Houston built Drayton and Les new palaces after Bud took his cursed franchise to TN.
Not to pick nits or anything and I generally agree with you, but Turner field is now 14 years old. Not terribly old by any standard...but not like it was just built yesterday either. You are right, however. The Braves and Hawks are going no where. I don't see the city giving up easily with the Falcons should something come to that.
Falcons won't be going anywhere. They've survived a long history of suck, and Arthur Blank is married to the City of Atlanta.
Isn't JAX one of the few NFL teams that's been in the red the last couple of seasons? They would stand to benefit the most from a move to LA. As far as the Raiders, there's still pretty strong local support for the team despite the widespread hatred for Al Davis. Once the team starts winning again, the fans will return.
Yeah...but I went to college at Vandy and saw plenty of Astros v. Braves games at Fulton Cty Stadium in the late 80s/early 90s, so Turner Field will be new to me for awhile...
LA stadium funding just passed unanimously by city. 6-12 month environmental review to follow. Largly symbolic, pretty much a done deal. Chargers looking very likely to move
Take it as you will, but I've got a Buffalo born and raised diehard buddy and several friends in Ontario. According to them: 1) As soon as Ralph Wilson dies, the Bills go to the highest bidder. He's rebuffed numerous attempts to ensure they stay in town (Jim Kelley group, for one) so that his estate can get the most for the team (no plans to keep it). 2) Folks in Toronto have no desire to bring the Bills to town permanently. I've considered the Jags most likely, with either the Raiders or Chargers a good bet for the second team. Al Davis doesn't give half a crap about local support and will happily move them out of spite - he's seeing poor revenue right now and will take a sweetheart LA deal with a smile on his face.
L.A. NFL stadium agreement approved by City Council on 12-0 vote http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/08/nfl-stadium-los-angeles.html
Raiders or Chargers make the most sense and keeps things the simplest. But one thing is USC, UCLA, Lakers, and the two MLB teams don't want an NFL team there.
I still think Jacksonville, but wouldn't be surprised with San Diego or Oakland. Do yall think L.A. can keep a football team this time?
Chargers lease is already expired now. They can play in LA Coliseum next YEAR. Reports say thats a 40% likelihood, even more by 2013. They wont break any ground or do any building on the stadium until a team truly agrees to relocate. Right now its chargers & vikings who can move today with no lease restrictions. Early forecast, much points toward the chargers basically & its more about who the 2nd team might be later on
