Los Angeles...

[ADDiKT]

It is no secret that the NFL wants a franchise in the 2nd biggest market in the United States (Los Angeles). What has been somewhat of a secret is the inability of the other California franchises to get stadiums built. It is common knowledge that the 2 worst stadiums in the NFL are the 2 in the bay area (Oakland and San Fransisco). San Fransisco has since agreed to relocate their future stadium to Santa Clara because it was next to impossible to get a stadium in Candlestick. Oakland is a tough situation, Al Davis is not in great health and a stadium for the Raiders is really a far fetched idea. San Diego probably has the best chance to have a stadium built because they have an opt-out clause in their lease that they can use this following off season -- so they can handcuff the city into approving a deal probably south of the San Diego City Lines.

Basically after the research I have done, I have noticed that the people of California do not seem as if they will approve the spending of public money to build a stadium. A Stadium in California, with the ammenities that the NFL would require, will put the price tag well over $800 Mill... I don't see a franchise in the NFL putting up that kind of money to have a private stadium done. The NFL is willing to help but how much. There are ways for teams to raise money to build a stadium, but asking them to come up with $800 Mil or so seems unlikely.

Let's pretend that the stadium deal is in place -- Oakland seems as the perfect choice to move into a new L.A. stadium. By moving The Raiders to Los Angeles -- The NFL wont have to worry about possible re-alignment. The Raiders have already been in L.A. in the past. This will keep all of the natural rivalries in place.

What if the NFL can't find a franchise to move into L.A.? They have already said that because of the Katrina tragedy, The Saints will remain in N.O. -- The Colts have broken ground on a stadium in Indy. The only other franchise that has been rumored to be looking into possible re-locating is Minnesota and they too have been in talks about possibly having a stadium built and sharing it with the University of Minn.

So if expansion is the only way to go, the NFL will probably want to add team(s) in even numbers. In 1999 the NFL did add the Browns and the NFL was with 31 teams until the addition of The Texans. So, if Los Angeles is awarded the 33rd franchise -- who is worthy of having the 34th? Toronto, in the mid to late 80's, explored the possibility of landing a franchise -- just as Montreal did... I do think that if a Canadian city is to land a team it will be Toronto. So basically I am just wondering which cities will be in the running for a franchise... I could only come up with the possibility of 4, I am wondering if any of you had suggestions...

- Toronto, Canada.
- San Antonio, Texas.
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
- Portland, Oregon.

Oh yea --- Go Phins Baybee!!!

-ADDiKT

[NJL52]

Originally Posted by ADDiKT

So if expansion is the only way to go, the NFL will probably want to add team(s) in even numbers. In 1999 the NFL did add the Browns and the NFL was with 31 teams until the addition of The Texans. So, if Los Angeles is awarded the 33rd franchise -- who is worthy of having the 34th? Toronto, in the mid to late 80's, explored the possibility of landing a franchise -- just as Montreal did... I do think that if a Canadian city is to land a team it will be Toronto. So basically I am just wondering which cities will be in the running for a franchise... I could only come up with the possibility of 4, I am wondering if any of you had suggestions...

I sincerely doubt that a 33rd or 34th team will be added to the NFL ever. A struggling team would have to die first. The league is in perfect equalibrium with 2 conferences of 4 divisions of 4 teams. I have a feeling this will be a permanent NFL concept.

As far as Canada goes, I'm not sure if Canada wants a team. They have a league of their own in Canada. And I'm no economic expert but I don't know how adding an NFL team would effect the CFL and thus the economy of the rich guys that own the CFL.

[dominizzo]

i dont think Toronto Will ever get a team!!

[Mike13]

There will not be a 33rd or 34th team in the near future.

[unifiedtheory]

If Toronto got a team I'd have a new MOST disliked team.

[Roman529]

Yeah 33 or 34 teams would mess up the 8 divisions with 4 teams each...It is perfect the way it is. I could see some teams being moved to LA...like the Vikings or the Colts. Why don't they just renovate the LA Coliseum or the stadium where they Phins lost the SB to the 49ers....I think it is in Palo Alto, where Stanford plays.

[phinatic0083]

man i live about 30min from L.A. and i was thinking just how much i would hate for the dolphins to be moved here if that ever happened, the Los Angeles Dolphins.... that doesnt sound right keep em in miami forever!!!