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I-10east · January 30, 2016, 04:24:42 AM

This could be a last ditch effort for the Diego Bolts to stay put (my Jim Rome impersonation).

http://www.10news.com/sports/report-chargers-rams-agree-in-principle-on-deal-to-share-inglewood-stadium-012916

Adam White · January 30, 2016, 04:27:34 AM

Quote from: I-10east on January 30, 2016, 04:24:42 AM
This could be a last ditch effort for the Diego Bolts to stay put (my Jim Rome impersonation).

http://www.10news.com/sports/report-chargers-rams-agree-in-principle-on-deal-to-share-inglewood-stadium-012916

Sweet sassy molassy!

I-10east · January 30, 2016, 04:41:12 AM

^^^Haha!

The Raiders are considering moving to Vegas. Oakland's owner Mark Davis met with one of the most 'progressive' people that Democrats 'love' Sheldon Adelson LOL.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/raiders/2016/01/29/las-vegas-mark-davis-oakland-relocation-los-angeles/79524848/

Adam White · January 30, 2016, 04:57:14 AM

Quote from: I-10east on January 30, 2016, 04:41:12 AM
^^^Haha!

The Raiders are considering moving to Vegas. Oakland's owner Mark Davis met with one of the most 'progressive' people that Democrats 'love' Sheldon Adelson LOL.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/raiders/2016/01/29/las-vegas-mark-davis-oakland-relocation-los-angeles/79524848/

It seems like Vegas should have a football team.

Tacachale · January 30, 2016, 09:00:20 AM

The one thing I was looking forward to from the LA Rush was seeing the team(s) who didn't pull it off have to go back home with their tail between their legs. This is very gratifying.

Wacca Pilatka · January 30, 2016, 11:12:39 AM

Quote from: Adam White on January 30, 2016, 04:57:14 AM

It seems like Vegas should have a football team.

In terms of market size, sure. The two obstacles, of course, are pro leagues' fear of locating in a gambling center and that a new stadium would have to be built pretty much from scratch - Sam Boyd is nowhere near NFL size or caliber and I don't know how easily it could be modified. A stadium almost certainly would have to be climate controlled too, and Vegas has such a large transient/part-time population that it might be difficult to ensure enduring fan support (and the NFL may shy away from the city's most abundant sources of corporate spending).

I always thought the NBA made more sense for Vegas, given UNLV's history of basketball fan support, the presence of one or two venues that are close to NBA size that presumably could be expanded, and the fact that NBA franchises seemingly don't mandate quite as many extravagantly expensive bells and whistles in their venues as NFL teams do. But it seems every pro league is fearful of the appearances with having gaming companies as a corporate sponsor and primary funding mechanism for a franchise.

Tacachale · January 30, 2016, 12:01:00 PM

Pretty much any major league sports relocation will involve a new stadium/arena, or a very comprehensive renovation of an old one. That's why they move in the first place

Adam White · January 30, 2016, 12:32:42 PM

Quote from: Wacca Pilatka on January 30, 2016, 11:12:39 AM
Quote from: Adam White on January 30, 2016, 04:57:14 AM

It seems like Vegas should have a football team.

In terms of market size, sure. The two obstacles, of course, are pro leagues' fear of locating in a gambling center and that a new stadium would have to be built pretty much from scratch - Sam Boyd is nowhere near NFL size or caliber and I don't know how easily it could be modified. A stadium almost certainly would have to be climate controlled too, and Vegas has such a large transient/part-time population that it might be difficult to ensure enduring fan support (and the NFL may shy away from the city's most abundant sources of corporate spending).

I always thought the NBA made more sense for Vegas, given UNLV's history of basketball fan support, the presence of one or two venues that are close to NBA size that presumably could be expanded, and the fact that NBA franchises seemingly don't mandate quite as many extravagantly expensive bells and whistles in their venues as NFL teams do. But it seems every pro league is fearful of the appearances with having gaming companies as a corporate sponsor and primary funding mechanism for a franchise.

Good point about basketball - I forgot how popular/successful UNLV's basketball team was.

Interesting that you bring up the gambling sponsorhip thing. In England, a number of top flight soccer teams are sponsored by gambling companies:Betway, Bet 365, 32Red, Dafabet, Mansion, etc.

Wacca Pilatka · January 30, 2016, 12:38:54 PM

^ Yes, I wonder if the day will come that the American leagues move beyond the notion that having a gaming company as a corporate owner or major sponsor represents a potential compromise to league integrity. Or it could just be more that a team's presence in the nation's leading gaming city is the greater perceived threat to propriety.

Adam White · January 30, 2016, 12:55:54 PM

Quote from: Wacca Pilatka on January 30, 2016, 12:38:54 PM
^ Yes, I wonder if the day will come that the American leagues move beyond the notion that having a gaming company as a corporate owner or major sponsor represents a potential compromise to league integrity. Or it could just be more that a team's presence in the nation's leading gaming city is the greater perceived threat to propriety.

It might also be an issue of morality. Gambling is considered a questionable activity in the USA. We still have that puritanical outlook on a lot of things.

That said, I think there will be moves to eventually stop gambling companies, payday loan companies and alcoholic beverage companies from sponsoring football teams.

I-10east · January 30, 2016, 07:15:44 PM

So far the NHL and NFL is what's considered concerning Vegas. The Florida Panthers had a very good season, but still managed one of the worst average attendances in the NHL. I can easily see them moving to Vegas in that brand new arena.

Adam White · January 31, 2016, 03:46:18 AM

Quote from: I-10east on January 30, 2016, 07:15:44 PM
So far the NHL and NFL is what's considered concerning Vegas. The Florida Panthers had a very good season, but still managed one of the worst average attendances in the NHL. I can easily see them moving to Vegas in that brand new arena.

There's something funny about the notion of an ice hockey team playing in the desert.

I-10east · January 31, 2016, 03:52:12 AM

^^^It worked for Phoenix.

Although IMO all of these new Sunbelt NHL teams aren't necessarily good for the long haul; They should expand/relocate to their roots up in the Northern US/Midwest/Canada.

Adam White · January 31, 2016, 04:33:29 AM

Quote from: I-10east on January 31, 2016, 03:52:12 AM
^^^It worked for Phoenix. Although IMO all of these new Sunbelt NHL teams aren't necessarily good for the long haul; They should expand/relocate to their roots up in the Northern US/Midwest/Canada.

Technology is a wonderful thing. I guess it makes sense anyway - not only has hockey expanded in popularity, but a lot of northerners move to the sunbelt (especially at retirement).

I-10east · January 31, 2016, 04:37:24 AM

NFL talking points say that there's no ban on a team in Vegas, or anywhere. Although according to PFT, it would be 'very very unlikely' that 24 owners would vote for a Vegas team. "The NFL has long tried to keep gambling at arm's length, and it's hard to keep gambling at arm's length when you're in the world's gambling Mecca" say Michael David Smith. Take that FWIW.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/01/30/nfl-talking-points-say-no-ban-on-a-team-in-vegas-or-anywhere/