All Isn’t Good With The NFL’s Move Back To Los Angeles

(photo courtesy of http://www.silverandblackpride.com)

The relocation of teams to Los Angeles has been talked about for a few years now. Teams that were mentioned over that time have been the Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers and the St. Louis Rams. Well, we knew the Chargers were all but gone from San Diego after this year. But now we have word that three teams have applied to relocate to Los Angeles next season. Those three teams, the St. Louis Rams, San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders, have applied to take their franchises to Los Angeles. A stadium is already in the works out in the Los Angeles area and there seems to be excitement in the air about the team being back in the area. There are still Rams fans out there on the West Coast and they play against teams that are on the West coast in the NFC West anyways. And as far as the Raiders and Chargers, they would be going back to where they originally came from (Chargers played in Los Angeles when they were first created in 1960). But even though there may be some that want the NFL in Los Angeles again, this move seems like it is one that is being forced.

The NFL is not wanting to bring a team back to Los Angeles because they feel bad for the Rams leaving. They are actually moving a team back there for business purposes. The NFL is all about the almighty dollar. And with them getting back into Los Angeles, it would mean they would not be in two of the biggest television markets out there. Being in a bigger market means that there are more televisions that have NFL games on them. And with the guarantee of having more televisions with football on them, that means more people will see the commercials that air during football. Having a piece of that market means that more sponsors will come to the NFL. And that means more money to flow in the pockets of owners across the league. The NFL just raised the salary cap because of some new deals they made with the folks that broadcast their games. But with this new development, this means that when that deal is up, the money will get even sillier as the NFL will have two major markets with a team. And along with the owners making more money, the salary cap will continue to climb higher and higher.

The money part of the scenario is huge for the NFL, but the other part of the scenario is one the NFL may not want to hear. Los Angeles really does not need an NFL team. In case the NFL missed the memo, Los Angeles has had teams come and go over the years. They have either not supported the team during the times in which they lose or refused to help finance a new stadium for them. The Rams originally moved to St. Louis because of waning support and the lack of funds for a new stadium for the team. When a team moves to Los Angeles again, there had better be some success that follows. There will be excitement over a new team just because Los Angeles has not had one for a while. But if one, both or all three of those teams are not any good over time, then the fans will do what happened in the past: find other things to do. Then the new stadium that was built will have been all in vain and the teams that moved there would be ready to move somewhere else yet again and leave the taxpayers holding the bag.

This move of a team to Los Angeles may be good for the short-term in regards to money for the league and access to a huge television market. But where it could hurt the NFL is if there is waning interest over time. In that case, the same story would end up playing out like in year’s past. If the NFL was thinking long-term, they would not be moving to Los Angeles again. But because of them wanting to get that extra dollar, they are ignoring the warning signs of moving back to Los Angeles. What makes this one even funnier is all three teams were once there, with two of them relocating because they could not get the new stadium they wanted. Now the reality is two teams will be sharing a stadium in a place that may or may not support them. And these teams will be leaving behind fans that actually cared to watch them play even though they disappointed them time and time again. Good luck to whatever teams end up moving to Los Angeles NFL. You had better hope the team(s) actually is successful this time around.

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TESM’s Interview With NFL Legend Warren Moon

When you think of legendary NFL quarterbacks, recent legends like Brett Farve and John Elway and the current greats like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning come to mind. But another great quarterback that has to be mentioned in the same air is Warren Moon. I recently caught up with the legendary quarterback and here’s what we talked about!

MP: Who did you model your game after growing up?

WM: To be honest, I didn’t really model my game after anyone. I had versatility in my game. I could throw on the run, play-action pass, run if I had to and I could stand in the pocket and take the hit as well. That versatility allowed me to last in the league for so long and also allowed me not to be pigeon-holed as a particular style of player.

MP: Who were some of your idols growing up?

WM: Most of my football idols were minorities. I can remember growing up watching Roman Gabriel and James Harris play quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams. I also watched Jimmy Jones, who was a great quarterback at USC and in the Canadian Football League, and Marlin Briscoe, who was the first black quarterback to start a game in the NFL. Another guy I watched growing up was Joe Gilliam. Jefferson St. Joe drew me in with his flash and the strong arm that he had. Roger Staubach was a guy that I kept up with as well due to his scrambling, running ability and his propensity for making big plays. But for the most part, I idolized guys that looked like me and most of them happened to be in the area of the country where I grew up, Los Angeles. I grew up as a Lakers, Dodgers and Los Angeles Rams fan.

MP: For those that don’t know, Warren does broadcasting of NFL games as well as having his own sports marketing company, Sports 1 Marketing. Warren, what do you feel has made your career after football so successful?

WM: I prepared myself beforehand educationally and financially. I actually did radio and other things while playing to prepare myself for life after football to see what I liked and what I didn’t like. I pretty much had my plan in place for life after football during my playing days.

MP: What inspired you to give back to your community through charitable organizations?

WM: So much was done for me as a young kid with organizations like Little Leagues and Cub Scouts. I just wanted to use the platform that I had to help people that were less fortunate.

MP: Have you ever thought about coaching?

WM: I honestly never have. Coaching is a full-time commitment and I have tremendous respect for them. But I have so many other things that I like doing and coaching wouldn’t allow me to do all of them.

MP: Anything that you wish you could have done differently in your career?

WM: You always go back to certain big games that you lost, but as far as my career, I would say that I could have worked even harder. There’s always more work that you can do to get better.

MP: You played in the Canadian Football League and the NFL. Besides the rules and field length, what were some of the differences you saw in the Canadian Football League and the NFL?

WM: Players were more athletic in the CFL, especially defensive linemen because of the ground they had to cover. The game in the CFL was faster. You had 20 seconds to get the next play called when the ball was spotted. There were so many ways to score in the CFL. Every kick and punt had to be returned or you were giving up points. For example, if a field goal was missed, you had to bring it out of the endzone or it was a point for the team that missed the field goal. Another big difference is we only had three downs in Canada instead of four like the NFL.

MP: When you are doing broadcasting, what is your favorite part of calling NFL games?

WM: My favorite part would be when the game is tight coming down the stretch. You really have to analyze and anticipate what the next move is. The emotion begins to carry you and the game is moving so fast. You have to make sure that you are sharp on what you’re analyzing and saying.

MP: What do you think about the current NFL compared to when you played?

WM: It’s definitely different. It’s not as physical as reflected by the rules. The passing game dominates more and the money that these players are making is astronomical. They deserve all of it and I hope they understand what players went through before them to get what they are getting now. Another huge difference is the amount of social exposure with mediums like Twitter and Facebook. And that’s something that players really have to make sure they pay attention to and they have to watch themselves even more off the field.

MP: Who is your favorite quarterback to watch in the NFL right now?

WM: There are so many good ones, but I like watching Cam Newton. Cam is able to throw the football and can run. To be that fast and big and be able to think the game is exciting to watch. As he gains experience, he will be even better. My personal relationship that I’ve had with him since he has been out of college makes it even more interesting to watch him as well.

MP: Who was your favorite player to play with throughout your entire NFL career?

WM: I would say Tony Gonzalez. He was a young guy coming in the league in Kansas City when I was at the end of my career as a backup for the Chiefs. Me and Tony developed a bond and I became a mentor to him, gave some wisdom to him and watched him grow as a player.

MP: What advice would you give to players in the NFL or aspiring NFL players?

WM: I would tell them to continue to work on your craft and be the best that you can. There’s always someone behind you trying to take your job, so don’t become complacent, even when or if you reach stardom.

Much thanks to Warren for doing this interview with me. And remember to check out his company, Sports 1 Sports Marketing( http://www.sports1marketing.com) and also be on the lookout for Warren calling an NFL game near you!
(Warren Moon picture via http://www.knue.com)