http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nfl/...4-teams-likely-nfl-adds-franchise-los-angeles Two main points: Suggests no relocation of current NFL teams to LA Suggests that LA expansion will be coupled with a second expansion team (also in LA? Elsewhere?) I'm going to guess that this may also pave the way for an 18-week season (still 16 games, 2 bye weeks). This would probably mean the NFC and AFC would each have a 5-team divison in addition to the other three 4-team ones, making realignment unlikely (moving BUF or JAX to California would definitely prompt that). I have a hard time seeing historically wishy washy LA supporting 2 expansion teams. I wonder if it might be something more like the Chargers moving to LA and SD instantly receiving a make-up expansion franchise?
I do agree - watering down talent in an over-expanded league is a dicey move. There's already too few quarterbacks to go around. I will say, I like that Goodell seems to be committed to keeping the Bills in Buffalo. I hate seeing storied franchises move. I'd think the obvious move is the Jags and Bolts moving to LA, but it seems the Jacksonville lease is ironclad and they are making money despite the paltry attendance/interest. Still, I'm not sure how Goodell could prevent LA from bringing a team over if an owner wants to move.
Elsewhere is Toronto. They either get the next new or relocated team after LA, or they get the Bills when Ralph Wilson dies.
LA doesn't deserve the ****ing Chargers. LA Doesn't want a ****ing football team. Give the **** up Goodell. If they try and expand to LA again Houston will probably swoop back in and get a second NFL franchise. AGAIN.
Thinking about it, if there IS a second expansion and it were placed in a new city (unlikely)....San Antonio would be plausible. They did their best to hold on to the Saints, and Red McCombs did his darnedest to get the Vikings there. But again, I think chances are next to zero.
34 is a bit too many. I agree with the Bills, as I doubt Jacksonville will move either since that team is making a profit and have had decent attendance/interest in the past (when they win or are competitive). I guess Goodell is really trying to make his mark in the league, I disagree on the talent part. The NFL is one league were talent will not be spread thin, especially in modern times. Maybe in the past, but there alot of players who are sitting on the bench and have grade A talent, while there are teams who have #2 or #3 that could easily be #1 on an expansion team. Even with quarterbacks, I think there's at least 20-23 QBs that could qualify as decent or better. Moreover, there are cities, like Portland, Las Vegas (hot bed, though), San Antonio, Orlando, or etc.
Talent already seems to be spread thinner than ever IMO. Teams are lacking depth. Hell the Texans went into 2010 with their best secondary prospect being a rookie. And even if there where that many competent quarterbacks, what about QB depth? There are fewer good backup QBs in the NFL than ever before it seems like.
Why are they always talking abut the Chargers to LA? Are they not making money in San Diego? I know they have passionate fans and attendance doesn't seem to be an issue. Is it a stadium issue?
It's a little of both. San Diego, despite having an extremely competitive team for most of the decade, has been in the bottom third of the league in attendance, and their stadium is over 40 years old. The teams wants a new one, the city likely won't give it to them. LA just started construction on Farmer's Field, hence the move chatter.
As with most moves, it's entirely about the stadium. Attendance has not been horrible, but there have been a few blacked out games here and there. It is not the issue though. You also have to realize what the housing market has done to the economy here. I know too many people that are between 200 and 300 thousand upside down on their houses. The economy is not making people want to spend a lot of $$ on a new stadium, but Qualcomm is a hunk of junk. I used to have season tickets (though I am really a Texans fan) and I would much rather sit at home than go to that stadium. They announced yesterday that they are planning on a county-wide special election for all of the county sometime in 2013. IMO, that vote will entire decide the fate of the Chargers staying in San Diego. On top of financing, there are so many California specific legal and political hurdles to go over in order to get a stadium built. They are facing these same issues in Los Angeles and that is why they still can't get a stadium built in LA even though they think they have potential financing for it. And I do not believe that Farmer's field has started construction based on what I've heard. In fact, I thought I heard on the radio that it actually has quite a ways to go before they can start. They are hoping to open it in 2016 so that tells you how much work they have left to do.
If they want a team in LA just move the Jaguars. LA is already technically in the south and they have been struggling to even fill the upper parts of their stadium for the past couple of years.
Assuming STL stays in STL and doesn't move to LA, with Jacksonville going to LA, the Jags can flip to the NFC West, and St Louis to AFC South.
Jerry Jones would never let that happen. San Antonio is absolutely owned by the Cowboys, and there's no way Jones loses that market.
