| Held Hostage? |
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| Written by Jawa | ||||||||
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It has become a familiar story as of late. The Supersonics are just the latest example of a city being held hostage by a team that wants a new stadiium. Throughout every major sport this has been true.
Do teams have the right to do this? I don't believe they do but yet it still happens. Here is just a small list of teams that have moved because of stadium issues in their old cities:
Saint Louis Rams-Los Angeles New Orleans Hornets-Charlotte Dallas Stars-Minnesota North Stars Colorado Avalance-Quebec Avalanche Oakland Raiders-Los Angeles Seattle Supersonics-Oklahoma City.....
Those are just a few. There are a myriad of other examples. It becomes disheartening to watch teams leave cities that have loved them. Seattle is going to lose their basketball team. They have a loyal fan base. They had a high draft pick coming up. But their ownership only sees dollar signs. Theer are not enough luxury boxes. Clay Bennett wants a new arena with more luxury boxes so he can take a larger cut of the profits. It is sad that they are moving.
How does this relate to Minnesota? The Minnesota Vikings' lease in the metrodome is up in 2011. They have been fighting for a new stadium going on a decade now. Right now, with the current situation in Minnesota there is absolutely no money for a new stadium. The Vikings have been smart not to push too hard on this issue. With so many people hurting financially it would not be wise to start asking for a billion to fund a stadium.
The NFL wants a steam back in Los Angeles. Is it a coincidence that developers are looking to renovate the Raiders old stadium? Maybe. But the Vikings would be a prime candidate for this. The renovations would be ready just about the same time the lease is up in Minnesota. Also, the seats are being painted purple. Again a coincidence? Perhaps. The San Diego Chargers are the favorite to move there.. Jack Murphy Stadium is a piece of junk. I do believe that the Vikings will stay here. Eventually the state will provide some funding. Instead of a whole new stadium though, I see a renovation of the Metrodome. As much as the NFL wants a team in LA, the Minnesota fan base is too rabid. In the end, I think the Chargers will move there. It just makes the most sense.
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