Maybe New FOF by 2008?

Ksyrup · 05-26-2004, 09:23 AM

...on the theory that Jim might have to deal with adding a 33rd team.

Associated Press

AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. -- The National Football League would like to have a team back in Los Angeles by 2008, Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said Tuesday.

Tagliabue said league owners were pushing for a decision on a stadium site by next spring, giving the NFL the time it needs to return a franchise to the country's second largest television market by 2008.

"We're hopeful we can stick to a timeline that would have us make some decisions on a stadium project maybe a year from now in May of '05," he said.

The league, which has not had a team in the Los Angeles area since the Rams departed for St. Louis 10 years ago, has been working with groups representing sites at Carson, the Coliseum and the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

"Everyone has been working at this," Tagliabue said. "At some point decisions need to be made."

League owners have made no decision about expanding to a 33rd team or moving a troubled franchise to Los Angeles when and if they come to an agreement on a stadium there.

Indianapolis owner Jim Irsay, who is involved in discussions with community and state leaders about improvements in the Colts' situation, said he was confident of working out a new deal to remain in Indiana.

"This is clearly on the frontburner," he said. "More and more we're trying to get people behind this thing.

"I'm 44 years old, I'm not signing until I'm 74 years ... unless I know we have a strong, long-term plan," Irsay said.

The NFL also said it plans to honor the memory of former Arizona Cardinals defensive back Pat Tillman during the regular season _ perhaps by having all teams display a helmet decal with his uniform No. 40.

Tillman, who starred at Arizona State and then the Cardinals before rejecting a multimillion dollar contract to join the Army, was killed last month in Afghanistan during a firefight with the enemy. He was 27.

"We previewed some of the initial thinking we have about paying tribute," Tagliabue said. "The key thing here is to have a proper balance between respecting what Pat did and what all the other men and women of the military do."

Owners also heard some preliminary discussions about the league's preparations for new television agreements and received an update on Jacksonville's preparations for the 2005 Super Bowl, scheduled Feb. 6.

Tagliabue said he would detail the Super Bowl preparations Wednesday. The owners wrap up their spring meeting Thursday.

Former NFL quarterback Jack Kemp briefed owners on the USA Football program aimed at increasing interest in the sport. This year the league will help with a kickoff promotion, "Play Football Week," that will run from Aug. 28 to Sept. 4.

Supported by the league and players association, it will promote youth registration and participation in programs sponsored by police leagues, YMCA's and Pop Warner, among others.

Maple Leafs · 05-26-2004, 09:25 AM

If the league adds a 33rd team, then it would realistically need a 34th.

Which means Jim might have to start including... Canadian cities!

(OK, maybe that can just be added in FOF2008.b )

fantastic flying froggies · 05-26-2004, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

If the league adds a 33rd team, then it would realistically need a 34th.

Which means Jim might have to start including... Canadian cities!

(OK, maybe that can just be added in FOF2008.b )

Man, I would love that... I can't wait to play with my Vancouver Vampires !

Honolulu Blue · 05-26-2004, 09:40 AM

The NFL back in LA? I'll believe it when I see it. Remodeling one of the stadiums into a modern-day cash cow figures to be expensive, and a new stadium more so. And they may still not draw well.

As much as it embarrasses the networks, the NFL, and Paul, I can't see anyone moving into LA in the near future.

Franklinnoble · 05-26-2004, 10:42 AM

I wouldn't be surprised at seeing a team relocate. I don't think it will be the Chargers, as the NFL enjoys having the Super Bowl in San Diego every so often, and the Colts should be forbidden from moving. They left a good football town and chose Indianapolis... they should have to suck it up and live with it. If they DO move, the "Colts" nickname should go back to Baltimore, where it belongs. Oh, and fuck John Elway, while I'm at it...

My money is on the Saints. While New Orleans is a decent Super Bowl town, the dome there is getting old, and isn't going to get replaced anytime soon.

Passacaglia · 05-26-2004, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Indianapolis owner Jim Irsay

Why would Irsay move the team from the city he owns? That doesn't seem to make sense.

Hurst2112 · 05-26-2004, 11:12 AM

They can still have, and will always be offered, the Vikings. The new stadium is going to be a 30 minute drive from where it is now (downtown Minneapolis) so what the hell is the difference. Maybe the Vikings can get some real, die hard fans in Los Angeles.

(I just laughed out loud looking at my last sentence. Didn't realize what I said for a second)

Franklinnoble · 05-26-2004, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hurst2112

They can still have, and will always be offered, the Vikings. The new stadium is going to be a 30 minute drive from where it is now (downtown Minneapolis) so what the hell is the difference. Maybe the Vikings can get some real, die hard fans in Los Angeles.

(I just laughed out loud looking at my last sentence. Didn't realize what I said for a second)

Why the hell not? They already stole the Lakers...

Hurst2112 · 05-26-2004, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franklinnoble

Why the hell not? They already stole the Lakers...

I have never been to California. From what I have been hearing the last 10 years about LA football fans is that they aren't too interested in a home team.

Aside from the Colts (who always seem to be mentioned in move talks) the Vikings seem to be one of the most unstable teams. While it would suck to lose them, I have to say that they might be better off moving west with their basketball counterparts.

Raven Hawk · 05-26-2004, 11:51 AM

Football in Los Angeles is dead horse. When will the NFL learn?

If they expand to let a new team in, look for that team to move to Las Vegas in a matter of a couple of years.

albionmoonlight · 05-26-2004, 12:00 PM

The government of Louisiana--apparently on the theory that the way to attract jobs to the state is to breach contracts with famous businesses is claiming that it will not make an upcoming obligated incentive payment to the Saints this summer. If the State carries through on its bluster, the Saints will be free to leave the city without penalty by September.

Sucks for fans of the Saints and for people who actually want businesses to move to Louisiana.

Ksyrup · 05-26-2004, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

The government of Louisiana--apparently on the theory that the way to attract jobs to the state is to breach contracts with famous businesses is claiming that it will not make an upcoming obligated incentive payment to the Saints this summer. If the State carries through on its bluster, the Saints will be free to leave the city without penalty by September.

Sucks for fans of the Saints and for people who actually want businesses to move to Louisiana.

The kickbacks and graft haven't started yet. I wouldn't rule out anything at this point.

Karim · 05-26-2004, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

If the league adds a 33rd team, then it would realistically need a 34th.

Which means Jim might have to start including... Canadian cities!

(OK, maybe that can just be added in FOF2008.b )

Taco's City Editor made it all possible. I've included 9 Canadian cities and realligned the league geographically.

Pyser · 05-26-2004, 09:04 PM

i live in LA, and i just heard the entire city yawn. no one seems to want a team here. besides, the rose bowl is too far (and way too big, for that matter). and i dont even know where carson is.

plus, i like getting the best games of the week on tv (just wish it was the giants more).

MrBug708 · 05-26-2004, 09:37 PM

All the team hasta do is win. You'd be surprised about the amount of Raider fans down here that couldnt name 4 players from the team

Dutch · 05-26-2004, 09:44 PM

They have to figure out where they are going to plop that stadium that is easy access for Los Angelinos. Carson? That's a good 30 mile drive south of downtown Los Angeles. With traffic? That would take 6 weeks to get there. You would almost have to go by boat...

05-26-2004, 09:25 AM	#2
Maple Leafs Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2002	If the league adds a 33rd team, then it would realistically need a 34th. Which means Jim might have to start including... Canadian cities! (OK, maybe that can just be added in FOF2008.b ) __________________ Down Goes Brown: Toronto Maple Leafs Humor and Analysis

05-26-2004, 11:12 AM	#7
Hurst2112 College Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Minneapolis	They can still have, and will always be offered, the Vikings. The new stadium is going to be a 30 minute drive from where it is now (downtown Minneapolis) so what the hell is the difference. Maybe the Vikings can get some real, die hard fans in Los Angeles. (I just laughed out loud looking at my last sentence. Didn't realize what I said for a second) __________________ http://www.myspace.com/longliveanalog

05-26-2004, 11:51 AM	#10
Raven Hawk College Starter Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Thunderdome	Football in Los Angeles is dead horse. When will the NFL learn? If they expand to let a new team in, look for that team to move to Las Vegas in a matter of a couple of years. __________________ Owner of The Shreveport Pride in The CFL

05-26-2004, 09:40 AM	#4
Honolulu Blue Dynasty Boy Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Michigan	The NFL back in LA? I'll believe it when I see it. Remodeling one of the stadiums into a modern-day cash cow figures to be expensive, and a new stadium more so. And they may still not draw well. As much as it embarrasses the networks, the NFL, and Paul, I can't see anyone moving into LA in the near future.

05-26-2004, 10:42 AM	#5
Franklinnoble Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Placerville, CA	I wouldn't be surprised at seeing a team relocate. I don't think it will be the Chargers, as the NFL enjoys having the Super Bowl in San Diego every so often, and the Colts should be forbidden from moving. They left a good football town and chose Indianapolis... they should have to suck it up and live with it. If they DO move, the "Colts" nickname should go back to Baltimore, where it belongs. Oh, and fuck John Elway, while I'm at it... My money is on the Saints. While New Orleans is a decent Super Bowl town, the dome there is getting old, and isn't going to get replaced anytime soon.

05-26-2004, 12:00 PM	#11
albionmoonlight Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: North Carolina	The government of Louisiana--apparently on the theory that the way to attract jobs to the state is to breach contracts with famous businesses is claiming that it will not make an upcoming obligated incentive payment to the Saints this summer. If the State carries through on its bluster, the Saints will be free to leave the city without penalty by September. Sucks for fans of the Saints and for people who actually want businesses to move to Louisiana.

05-26-2004, 09:04 PM	#14
Pyser Pro Rookie Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Los Angeles	i live in LA, and i just heard the entire city yawn. no one seems to want a team here. besides, the rose bowl is too far (and way too big, for that matter). and i dont even know where carson is. plus, i like getting the best games of the week on tv (just wish it was the giants more).

05-26-2004, 09:37 PM	#15
MrBug708 Head Coach Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Whittier	All the team hasta do is win. You'd be surprised about the amount of Raider fans down here that couldnt name 4 players from the team

05-26-2004, 09:44 PM	#16
Dutch "Dutch" Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Tampa, FL	They have to figure out where they are going to plop that stadium that is easy access for Los Angelinos. Carson? That's a good 30 mile drive south of downtown Los Angeles. With traffic? That would take 6 weeks to get there. You would almost have to go by boat...

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