Anschutz poised to buy 35 percent of Chargers

[Kulluminatii]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...-poised-to-by-35-percent-of-chargers/related/

Posted by Mike Florio on November 30, 2010, 10:29 PM EST

From an unlikely news outlet comes the latest development in the looming push to put an NFL team back in Los Angeles. Veteran Toronto-based sports personality Bob McCown of the Fan 590 reports that Philip Anschutz “has or will purchase” 35 percent of the Chargers.

McCown adds that the move “apparently” will be the first step in a move of the team to Los Angeles.

The report meshes with recent remarks from Chargers special counsel Mark Fabiani, who attempted to throw water on a potential connection between an attempt to sell a chunk of the franchise and the rumors of a possible move of the team to L.A.

“We are concerned,” Fabiani told the San Diego Union-Tribune. “There’s been a confluence, a merging of several different stories, and we’re going to have to work hard to see that people know the real facts.”

But Fabiani added this little tidbit: “If AEG buys a piece of this team, then people have a right to be concerned.”

Anschutz is AEG, and if McCown’s report is accurate, it soon will be time for folks in San Diego to worry about their team moving back to the city where it played its first AFL season.

If this turns out to be true, then this stadium that Roski was trying to build on the outskirts of LA is pretty much history. The stadium plan that Anschutz is a part of will be built in downtown LA. Can't really say I'm happy with the news, but the Chargers moving to LA makes the most sense.

 

[Kulluminatii]

Vikings drop the “L” word

Posted by Mike Florio on November 30, 2010, 4:37 PM EST

With the Vikings preparing for what could be their last push toward getting a new stadium built in Minnesota, the man in charge of the franchise’s efforts has invoked the name of a place that could send shock waves through Minnesota.

Los Angeles.

John Vomhof Jr. of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports that Vikings Vice President of Stadium Development and Public Affairs Lester Bagley confirmed during an online chat that the team has been approached by the two groups that want to bring a team to Los Angeles.

One group, led by Ed Roski, wants to build a stadium in City of Industry. The other, led by Tim Leiweke and Casey Wasserman, wants to build a stadium in downtown L.A. Leiweke recently told ESPN that his group will defer to the NFL regarding the selection of the team that would move to L.A.

Though Bagley stressed that the Vikings want to find a stadium solution in Minnesota, Los Angeles provides them with leverage. And it also provides them with a viable alternative, if folks in Minnesota ultimately fail to authorize the use of public funds for a portion of the construction costs.

Either way, something needs to happen soon. The Vikings’ lease at the Metrodome expires after the 2011 season.

Don't know what the hell is going on. Guess it'll be a race to see which stadium group could convince a team to move to their proposed stadium first? I would MUCH rather have the Vikings in LA than the Chargers. I'd feel bad for the fans in Minny, but if they can't get a new stadium deal finalized I guess its goodbye for them. If the Chargers do end up moving, I guess I could still cherish the fact that quite a few grown men in SD will be crying themselves to sleep at night for months . Majority of those in San Diego HATE LA with a passion and would stop supporting the team..

 

[Hookem Horns]

The Chargers makes the most sense to me. The Chargers started in LA and is the original owner of the team. Until I visited there I didn't realize how close LA and SD actually are. Fans in SD could easily drive up to LA for games. Of course I realize you have the whole SD hating LA thing and many would not.

As for the Vikings, why not? LA already stole their NBA team.

So the big question is where does this leave the Jaguars? San Diego Jaguars? Minnesota Jaguars? San Antonio Jaguars?

 

[Kulluminatii]

As for the Vikings, why not? LA already stole their NBA team.

Yeah, thats why I would feel bad if the Vikings moved as well. I have a feeling the Vikings are using the LA Stadium as leverage to force Minnesota's hand to get a new stadium deal done. It makes the most sense to me. They have a strong & passionate fanbase in Minny, as far as I can recall they don't have any trouble selling out games...the stadium is the only problem they have and if they can take care of that they'll be set in Minny permanently.

So the big question is where does this leave the Jaguars? San Diego Jaguars? Minnesota Jaguars? San Antonio Jaguars?

Who knows, perhaps they'll stay in Jacksonville? I know people make fun of their weak fan support & blackouts, but is it really THAT bad in Jax? I remember a Jax fan on here a few weeks ago posted that they only had 2 blackouts this season. That's not too bad, the Chargers have had 3...and the Raiders...hell almost all of their games have been blacked out except for 1.

 

[Hookem Horns]

Yeah, thats why I would feel bad if the Vikings moved as well. I have a feeling the Vikings are using the LA Stadium as leverage to force Minnesota's hand to get a new stadium deal done. It makes the most sense to me. They have a strong & passionate fanbase in Minny, as far as I can recall they don't have any trouble selling out games...the stadium is the only problem they have and if they can take care of that they'll be set in Minny permanently.

That sounds familiar to us Houston fans.

Who knows, perhaps they'll stay in Jacksonville? I know people make fun of their weak fan support & blackouts, but is it really THAT bad in Jax? I remember a Jax fan on here a few weeks ago posted that they only had 2 blackouts this season. That's not too bad, the Chargers have had 3...and the Raiders...hell almost all of their games have been blacked out except for 1.

I visited Jax this season and enjoyed the game day atmosphere there. I don't want them to move to be honest.

 

[houstonspartan]

Guys, the big elephant in the room for the NFL is Jacksonville. They HAVE to do something about that franchise. San Diego and Minnesota have issues, too, but those can wait.

Jacksonville must be dealt with ASAP.

 

[IDEXAN]

Guys, the big elephant in the room for the NFL is Jacksonville. They HAVE to do something about that franchise. San Diego and Minnesota have issues, too, but those can wait.

Jacksonville must be dealt with ASAP.

Why do you think the situation in Jacksonsville is so dire that it has to be
"dealt with ASAP" ?

 

[houstonspartan]

Why do you think the situation in Jacksonsville is so dire that it has to be
"dealt with ASAP" ?

Because it's tiny market in a very crowded sports state and there's little chance of their economy turning around to the point where they can sustain a team over the long term.

Minnesota, ultimately, can support the Vikings. There's not a lot around there for hundreds of miles. The fan base up there is solid. San Diego may struggle, but they're in better shape than Jacksonville to suport an NFL team.

I like the Jags, and really like Jack DelRio as a coach, but, as a franchise, it was a huge mistake.

This piece by Dan Wietzel lays it out pretty well:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=dw-jaguars092109

 

[mootini]

Because it's tiny market in a very crowded sports state and there's little chance of their economy turning around to the point where they can sustain a team over the long term.

Minnesota, ultimately, can support the Vikings. There's not a lot around there for hundreds of miles. The fan base up there is solid. San Diego may struggle, but they're in better shape than Jacksonville to suport an NFL team.

I like the Jags, and really like Jack DelRio as a coach, but, as a franchise, it was a huge mistake.

This piece by Dan Wietzel lays it out pretty well:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=dw-jaguars092109

LOL Dan Wietzel....good source! Jags are not moving, as long as Wayne Weaver runs/owns the franchise. It's not a mistake for the Jags in Jax...Sorry, Chargers have had already 3 games blacked out this season, Jags = zero! Stop reading national media and look at the local Jax media to get the truth.

 

[mootini]

Yeah, thats why I would feel bad if the Vikings moved as well. I have a feeling the Vikings are using the LA Stadium as leverage to force Minnesota's hand to get a new stadium deal done. It makes the most sense to me. They have a strong & passionate fanbase in Minny, as far as I can recall they don't have any trouble selling out games...the stadium is the only problem they have and if they can take care of that they'll be set in Minny permanently.




Who knows, perhaps they'll stay in Jacksonville? I know people make fun of their weak fan support & blackouts, but is it really THAT bad in Jax? I remember a Jax fan on here a few weeks ago posted that they only had 2 blackouts this season. That's not too bad, the Chargers have had 3...and the Raiders...hell almost all of their games have been blacked out except for 1.

Sorry Raider fan, no (ZERO) blackouts for the Jags this season, how about those Raiders? It's not that bad in Jax!
I'll tried to explain last year and this year, the national media has painted the Jags to be the poster boy for the move to LA. It's not gonna happen. The owner Wayne Weaver advised he will never sell as long as he owns/lives. Check out those 7-4 Bucs...all there games have been blacked out, because the owner finally said enough...stopped buying up the unused tickets. Wayne Weaver did this last season, caused 7 games to be blacked out. These blackouts caused the national media to pick on the 2nd smallest market team, whom have only been this the league for 15 years.

I'd be nervous, if I was a fan for the Raiders/Vikings/Chargers at this point.

 

[mootini]

Guys, the big elephant in the room for the NFL is Jacksonville. They HAVE to do something about that franchise. San Diego and Minnesota have issues, too, but those can wait.

Jacksonville must be dealt with ASAP.

Makes my head scratch on this one! ASAP???? Let's see, the Chargers where originally from LA and want a new stadium. Vikings also in the market for a stadium. How about those Raiders? Why did they go back to Oakland?.....oh, that's right, the stadium issue in LA, is now about resolved.

 

[mootini]

The Chargers makes the most sense to me. The Chargers started in LA and is the original owner of the team. Until I visited there I didn't realize how close LA and SD actually are. Fans in SD could easily drive up to LA for games. Of course I realize you have the whole SD hating LA thing and many would not.

As for the Vikings, why not? LA already stole their NBA team.

So the big question is where does this leave the Jaguars? San Diego Jaguars? Minnesota Jaguars? San Antonio Jaguars?

Jags staying in JAX!

 

[houstonspartan]

Makes my head scratch on this one! ASAP???? Let's see, the Chargers where originally from LA and want a new stadium. Vikings also in the market for a stadium. How about those Raiders? Why did they go back to Oakland?.....oh, that's right, the stadium issue in LA, is now about resolved.

Look, I didn't say I wanted Jax to move. I like the Jags. But the inevitable is the inevitable. That market cannot support that team.

And, I've heard that Wayne Weaver talks out of both sides of his mouth. Don't assume that he wouldn't cut off his arm to dump the Jags for a big payout if given the chance.

You say to ignore the national media and pay attention to the local media? Ok. Didn't the Jags team writer for their web site write a very serious, passionate plea to fans earlier this year, saying, essentially, that the team was on it's last legs and that if they wanted the Jags they'd better support it? can't get more local than that.

There is much, MUCH more marketing and television money in Minneapolis, San Diego and Los Angeles than there is in Jacksonville. That's just a fact.

I'm just being real here.

 

[Kulluminatii]

Sorry Raider fan, no (ZERO) blackouts for the Jags this season, how about those Raiders? It's not that bad in Jax!
I'll tried to explain last year and this year, the national media has painted the Jags to be the poster boy for the move to LA. It's not gonna happen. The owner Wayne Weaver advised he will never sell as long as he owns/lives. Check out those 7-4 Bucs...all there games have been blacked out, because the owner finally said enough...stopped buying up the unused tickets. Wayne Weaver did this last season, caused 7 games to be blacked out. These blackouts caused the national media to pick on the 2nd smallest market team, whom have only been this the league for 15 years.

I'd be nervous, if I was a fan for the Raiders/Vikings/Chargers at this point.

The Raiders aren't going anywhere as long as Al Davis is still the owner of that team. Both the stadium ownership groups want at least a 30% stake in a team and that senile SOB wouldn't give them a percent. Plus, I doubt either group would approach Al unless they were looking to buy majority ownership. Al has driven the Raiders into the ground in Oakland, there is no guarantee he wouldn't do the same if the team moved to LA. The ownership groups over there can't afford another failure.

I'm surprised, zero blackouts...and this is without your owner buying up tickets? Congrats, but I think you already know that the Jags will always be in contention about moving until a team is in LA. The national media already has a preconceived notion about you guys having a weak fan base, and I guess it'll take a couple of years to get rid of that image...or a SB win .

 

[Kulluminatii]

Magic joining group that wants NFL team back in Los Angeles

Magic Johnson officially announced his intention to bring an NFL team back to Los Angeles.

The former Lakers great appeared Tuesday night on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and said he is formally joining a group that's planning to build a downtown Los Angeles stadium for the purpose of housing an NFL franchise, according to The USA Today.

"I'm announcing this today: I've teamed up with Tim Leiweke at AEG, and we're gonna come together to bring the NFL back to Los Angeles," Johnson said.

AEG (Anschutz Entertainment Group) has proposed building an NFL stadium in downtown L.A., but the project is only at the conceptual stage.

No NFL team is set to move to Los Angeles right now. A San Diego Chargers attorney on Wednesday shot down a report that AEG's Philip Anschutz is planning to buy 35 percent of the franchise.

The Chargers recently announced that owner Alex Spanos is looking to sell a minority stake to help with estate planning. Spanos, 87, a billionaire developer who lives in Stockton, revealed two years ago that he suffers from dementia.

Lester Bagley, the Minnesota Vikings' vice president of public affairs, also revealed this week that the team has been approached by two groups -- one of them AEG -- about relocating to Los Angeles.

Despite being the nation's second-largest televison market, Los Angeles has been without an NFL team since both the Rams and Raiders left following the 1994 season.

With Magic joining Anschutz(AEG), they'll have a better chance to attract a team to LA over Roski's group. If there isn't a lockout, then we may see a team playing in LA next season while the stadium is being built.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say the Chargers will be moving, what about you guys? Will it be the Chargers, Vikings, Jaguars, or a team that no one is expecting?

 

[JB]

Didn't this story come out like 6 years ago?

 

[Kulluminatii]

Didn't this story come out like 6 years ago?

Which story are you talking about sir, since we have about 3-4 posted in this thread.

If you are talking about Magic joining a group to bring a team to LA, I'm not sure. I don't think he's ever publicly come out and said it before.

 

[JB]

Which story are you talking about sir, since we have about 3-4 posted in this thread.

If you are talking about Magic joining a group to bring a team to LA, I'm not sure. I don't think he's ever publicly come out and said it before.

Yeah he did! It was a few years back the last time this crap came up!


And don't call me sir! I work for a living!

 

[Kulluminatii]

And don't call me sir! I work for a living!

Sure thing gramps.

Yeah he did! It was a few years back the last time this crap came up!

Well, I wouldn't be surprised if he's previously stated he would like a team in LA. Magic doesn't have the financial backing to bring a franchise to LA by himself, but now that there are two groups who have the $ and the plans to lure a team I guess he can finally fullfill his dream to be an part-owner of an NFL team.

 

[jaayteetx]

Jags staying in JAX!

And tarp manufacters everywhere rejoice!

 

[Dan B.]

Magic joining group that wants NFL team back in Los Angeles



With Magic joining Anschutz(AEG), they'll have a better chance to attract a team to LA over Roski's group. If there isn't a lockout, then we may see a team playing in LA next season while the stadium is being built.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say the Chargers will be moving, what about you guys? Will it be the Chargers, Vikings, Jaguars, or a team that no one is expecting?

Buffalo will move before LA gets a team.

 

[mootini]

Look, I didn't say I wanted Jax to move. I like the Jags. But the inevitable is the inevitable. That market cannot support that team.

And, I've heard that Wayne Weaver talks out of both sides of his mouth. Don't assume that he wouldn't cut off his arm to dump the Jags for a big payout if given the chance.

You say to ignore the national media and pay attention to the local media? Ok. Didn't the Jags team writer for their web site write a very serious, passionate plea to fans earlier this year, saying, essentially, that the team was on it's last legs and that if they wanted the Jags they'd better support it? can't get more local than that.

There is much, MUCH more marketing and television money in Minneapolis, San Diego and Los Angeles than there is in Jacksonville. That's just a fact.

I'm just being real here.

Vic Ketchman did do stories during the off season advising people needed to buy into the Jags to make sure they stay in Jax. There was also the Team Teal drives. Did you know, the Jags lost over 17K season tickets renewals from 2008 to 2009?, thus causing 7 blacked out games in 2009. Did you know the Jags had the highest season ticket purchases, in 2010? We have not had one blacked out game, so far this season, and the owner has not bought out tickets. The new deal w/Everbank fines the Jags for $100K, if the games are blacked out. So that's caused more focus form the origainization to sell these tickets. The revamped fans base and stadium deal has show the interest and spark is still there for the Jags. If the jags win the AFC South this season, we'll have a home wild card game. The Jags have not had a playoff game in 10 years! Thanks to Manning! That should help spark the tickets for next season. The NFL knows the potental economical growth in N. Florida and that's why the Jax was awarded w/Jags. Just 17 years ago, Jax got the nod for the Jags. Per 2009 stats, Jax is ranked the 47th TV market

 

[mootini]

And tarp manufacters everywhere rejoice!

Seems Texan fans can only go to the Tarp joke....:kubepalm:
Keep on choking in the AFC South! 500. or bust!

 

[Doppelganger]

I'd hate to see SD or Minne go to LA. Screw LA! They don't want the NFL. See the raiders, rams, and chargers.

 

[houstonspartan]

Vic Ketchman did do stories during the off season advising people needed to buy into the Jags to make sure they stay in Jax. There was also the Team Teal drives. Did you know, the Jags lost over 17K season tickets renewals from 2008 to 2009?, thus causing 7 blacked out games in 2009. Did you know the Jags had the highest season ticket purchases, in 2010? We have not had one blacked out game, so far this season, and the owner has not bought out tickets. The new deal w/Everbank fines the Jags for $100K, if the games are blacked out. So that's caused more focus form the origainization to sell these tickets. The revamped fans base and stadium deal has show the interest and spark is still there for the Jags. If the jags win the AFC South this season, we'll have a home wild card game. The Jags have not had a playoff game in 10 years! Thanks to Manning! That should help spark the tickets for next season. The NFL knows the potental economical growth in N. Florida and that's why the Jax was awarded w/Jags. Just 17 years ago, Jax got the nod for the Jags. Per 2009 stats, Jax is ranked the 47th TV market

So, you think the NFL is going to settle for the 47th TV market while the number 2 tv market sits empty? Not going to happen, my friend.

As someone else pointed out, until LA gets a team, the smallest revenue team will get looked at for relocation. That team is Jacksonville.

 

[mootini]

So, you think the NFL is going to settle for the 47th TV market while the number 2 tv market sits empty? Not going to happen, my friend.

As someone else pointed out, until LA gets a team, the smallest revenue team will get looked at for relocation. That team is Jacksonville.

So the Packers will be going to LA, they are the smallest market. Jags are not the smallest revenue team it the league, either. Please, more facts! http://www.forbes.com/2009/09/02/nf...-sportsmoney-football-values-09-nfl_land.html

Jags ranked 27th....let's see Vikings at 31, Raiders 32!

 

[houstonspartan]

So the Packers will be going to LA, they are the smallest market. Jags are not the smallest revenue team it the league, either. Please, more facts! http://www.forbes.com/2009/09/02/nf...-sportsmoney-football-values-09-nfl_land.html

Jags ranked 27th....let's see Vikings at 31, Raiders 32!

Good lord, dude. The Packers have a waiting list for tickets that is like 30 years long.

AND, they have the Milwaukee market, which is a big deal. They basically have all of Wisconsin, which has a population of something like 5 million. And, they also have Northern Michigan, which is also Packer Land.

Never mind. I'm trying to get you to see the truth, but you don't want to.

 

[mootini]

Good lord, dude. The Packers have a waiting list for tickets that is like 30 years long.

AND, they have the Milwaukee market, which is a big deal. They basically have all of Wisconsin, which has a population of something like 5 million. And, they also have Northern Michigan, which is also Packer Land.

Never mind. I'm trying to get you to see the truth, but you don't want to.

See the truth..LOL! Dude, the Packers ARE the smallest market in the NFL. They have 75 years tradtion. There was a time when the Packers played in both Green Bay and Milwaukee, because the fans were not supporting in Green Bay. Add on the 60's and serveral SB's the Packers, have one of the largest fan base in the NFL. Thus causing awesome revenue for their franchise.
The Jags, on the other hand, are a new franchise, 15 years...young. Give them time. Second the Jags are not the smallest revenue team...your statements read like Dan Wietzel, no proof/watercooler research. Show me where the Jags are the smallest revenue team in the NFL? What Forbes not reliable? I think you don't want to see the truth. Do I see the Jags leaving? No, because of the new deal w/Everbank and the fans buying back into the Jags/tickets. From having 7 blackouts last season, to having zero this season says something.

 

[Kulluminatii]

Downtown LA Stadium Backer Gives NFL Deadline​

December 2 may have been the day any chance of NFL football in downtown Los Angeles died.

That was the day FIFA awarded the 2022 World Cup to Qatar, scuttling a concerted U.S. bid to host the tournament. One of the American bid’s primary backers was billionaire Phil Anschutz. Anschutz is the founder of the sports and entertainment company AEG, which built the Staples Center and the new L.A. Live downtown development.

In addition to his current L.A. business interests, Anschutz also happens to be one of soccer’s biggest proponents in the United States. Had the U.S. secured the 2022 World Cup, Anschutz was said to be more enthusiastic about pledging his personal, financial support to a newly-proposed Los Angeles downtown stadium fronted by AEG CEO Tim Leiweke and local sports business mogul Casey Wasserman.
That stadium in turn would’ve hosted 2022 World Cup games, including perhaps the final.
So in the aftermath of the Qatar announcement, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that AEG’s Leiweke, who since April has been subtle in his public pronouncements about the project, today issued a somewhat startling ultimatum to AEG’s possible stadium partners.
Speaking at a downtown L.A. business development luncheon today, Jon Regardie of LADowntownNews.com reports Leiweke essentially set a three-month deadline for the NFL to make some manner of commitment to the downtown stadium project.
More specifically, Regardie reports Leiweke outlined “three things” that would have to happen by the end of February for AEG to move forward with a plan to build a $1 billion retractable roof “events center” in downtown Los Angeles.

Leiweke laid out a scenario to bring football to South Park, though he said three things must happen by next February.
First, he said, negotiations already under way with the city have to be finalized. L.A. officials, he said, are in talks regarding the plan to tear down the West Hall of the Convention Center. He said he expects to reach an agreement on those issues early next year, and to begin the entitlement process for the stadium in January.
The other things he said must happen involve the NFL. He said AEG is in frequent conversation with numerous NFL owners, who would ultimately have to approve a deal to return football to L.A.
He also said AEG wants to identify a team that would move to Los Angeles. He said the goal is not to “steal” a team from another city, but to target franchises whose financial situation will require a move. He added that AEG, which owns the Los Angeles Kings and has a one-third stake in the Lakers, is prepared to “invest” in a football team.

The first requirement, as it pertains to the city of Los Angeles, will likely be easily attained by AEG.
But unless Leiweke knows something we don’t, saying he needs the NFL in the next three months, to “approve a deal to return football to L.A.” in addition to the league identifying a “team that would move to Los Angeles” in order to get a stadium deal done is essentially saying the stadium deal is dead.
Again, that’s unless Leiweke knows something we don’t. As in, he’s aware that there’s at least one NFL franchise that would currently commit to such a plan for Los Angeles.
Maybe there is.
But even if such a commitment was procured in the next three months, it would almost certainly have to be made public as it’s a virtual lock that the stadium project will involve AEG availing public funds. (See full disclosure.)
So what would the team that commits to L.A. do in the meantime?
As I’ve said many times, I have nothing but respect for Leiweke, Wasserman and Anschutz, but publicly pushing the NFL - as it braces for labor strife - to make a commitment in three months to a stadium that isn’t guaranteed to be built isn’t just unrealistic, it’s disingenuous.

Giving the NFL a 3 month deadline pretty much will mean no team in Downtown LA. I just don't see the NFL moving that fast. If anything, this helps Roski with his proposed stadium in the City of Industry. Also, too lazy to find the link, but the Chargers will stay in San Diego for 2011, they had the option of leaving this year but chose not to.

 

[Hervoyel]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...-poised-to-by-35-percent-of-chargers/related/



If this turns out to be true, then this stadium that Roski was trying to build on the outskirts of LA is pretty much history. The stadium plan that Anschutz is a part of will be built in downtown LA. Can't really say I'm happy with the news, but the Chargers moving to LA makes the most sense.

I disagree. The Chargers staying in San Diego makes the most sense but then that's not really what the NFL wants to hear on this subject.

 

[Thorn]

I don't like public funds being used on sports stadiums. If the owners and the NFL can't build a damn stadium, why should I help them? WTF do I care about a baseball, soccer, or basketball stadium if I will never go inside of it? I certainly don't want to pay for the damn thing. My history of all stadium bond issues is that I voted against every damn one of them, including the football stadium. The Texans got their stadium without my vote.

 

[Doppelganger]

Vikings drop the “L” word



Don't know what the hell is going on. Guess it'll be a race to see which stadium group could convince a team to move to their proposed stadium first? I would MUCH rather have the Vikings in LA than the Chargers. I'd feel bad for the fans in Minny, but if they can't get a new stadium deal finalized I guess its goodbye for them. If the Chargers do end up moving, I guess I could still cherish the fact that quite a few grown men in SD will be crying themselves to sleep at night for months . Majority of those in San Diego HATE LA with a passion and would stop supporting the team..

So rather than asking the city for the money, they should simply ask the Viking fans how much do they love their Vikings. Would they be willing to have more expensive seating, more expensive concessions, more expensive parking to pay, etc to pay for the new stadium?

Why should non football fans have to pay for something they do not care about? If the Vikings fan want it and are willing to pony up the extra $ then do it. If not, then so be it.

I don't like public funds being used on sports stadiums. If the owners and the NFL can't build a damn stadium, why should I help them? WTF do I care about a baseball, soccer, or basketball stadium if I will never go inside of it? I certainly don't want to pay for the damn thing. My history of all stadium bond issues is that I voted against every damn one of them, including the football stadium. The Texans got their stadium without my vote.

YES! I completely agree. The cost of the new stadium should be paid for by the team and the fans. If I do not care for soccer, do not take my hard earned money to buy some soccer stadium. I am ok with taking my money and building a hospital (since it can save lives and is for the greater community) but not some soccer stadium when I do not care for the sport. It the team leaves then let em leave.

 

[infantrycak]

YES! I completely agree. The cost of the new stadium should be paid for by the team and the fans. If I do not care for soccer, do not take my hard earned money to buy some soccer stadium. I am ok with taking my money and building a hospital (since it can save lives and is for the greater community) but not some soccer stadium when I do not care for the sport. It the team leaves then let em leave.

What's kind of sadly funny is for most of the stadiums around the country it isn't the locals who pay their hard earned money, it is travelers. Much of the time the financing comes from taxes on airports, hotels and taxis - things predominately used by visitors who certainly don't care about the local teams.

 

[Dan B.]

I didn't think the Dynamo's new stadium was publicly funded. I know the city gave them a break on the land, but we do that all the time for various companies etc.