May 23, 2006
The Sporting News
The NFL is continuing its efforts to place a team in the Los Angeles market. The process is typical NFL: methodical, thorough, reflective of today's sports environment.
But my question is this: Does L.A. really want a team?
There doesn't seem to be a huge cry from fans for a franchise. I talk to folks in Southern California, and they don't seem to miss being able to attend live games. After all, there is television if they need an NFL fix, and with so much else going on, it's not hard to find other sports entertainment.
It would be nice if the clamor for a team was constant and very loud. Perhaps fans have grown accustomed to life without pro football in their midst. And if they really must go to a game, they can always drive to San Diego.
Oh yes, the Chargers. That is another complication. Many figure the Chargers eventually will wind up moving up the coast and occupy the L.A. market. All the league is doing is to provide the means for Chargers ownership to have the kind of stadium voters and politicians in San Diego having been willing to give them.
Commissioner Paul Tagliabue is the driving force behind the move to fill the L.A. market. For a long time now, what he wants he has been able to get. So it won't be surprising if L.A. rejoins the league. But how many fans will support its new team?
The Sporting News
The NFL is continuing its efforts to place a team in the Los Angeles market. The process is typical NFL: methodical, thorough, reflective of today's sports environment.
But my question is this: Does L.A. really want a team?
There doesn't seem to be a huge cry from fans for a franchise. I talk to folks in Southern California, and they don't seem to miss being able to attend live games. After all, there is television if they need an NFL fix, and with so much else going on, it's not hard to find other sports entertainment.
It would be nice if the clamor for a team was constant and very loud. Perhaps fans have grown accustomed to life without pro football in their midst. And if they really must go to a game, they can always drive to San Diego.
Oh yes, the Chargers. That is another complication. Many figure the Chargers eventually will wind up moving up the coast and occupy the L.A. market. All the league is doing is to provide the means for Chargers ownership to have the kind of stadium voters and politicians in San Diego having been willing to give them.
Commissioner Paul Tagliabue is the driving force behind the move to fill the L.A. market. For a long time now, what he wants he has been able to get. So it won't be surprising if L.A. rejoins the league. But how many fans will support its new team?