The endorsement by owners Robert Kraft of the Patriots and Jerry Jones of the Cowboys for the NFL's return to Los Angeles is a dramatic sign that this is real and happening. Three owners with the capacity to escape their leases and move their teams have stepped forward with stadium plans in Los Angeles. They have willing partner cities, the financial wherewithal to build, and a powerful financial incentive to do so. The only impediment has been the desire of the NFL to control the process and the necessity to have other owners’ votes to approve. Last week at the NFL meetings, two of the most powerful men in pro football have given their blessing to the concept.
The question of whether these teams can move without NFL approval is not clear. Many believe that teams can follow in the footsteps of Al Davis and simply move their team. The NFL believes it has plugged the Davis loophole with rewritten league rules. Ultimately the commissioner serves at the pleasure of the 32 league owners -- and when it comes to power and influence, few owners have more clout than Kraft and Jones.
Jones boldly used his team’s brand to bring untold marketing and sponsorship revenue to the Cowboys and the league itself. While the league initially called him a maverick and challenged his methodology -- such as giving pouring rights to Pepsi in his stadium, while Coca-Cola had a league sponsorship -- they ultimately emulated his marketing genius and it has enriched the NFL.
Robert Kraft shrewdly built a dynasty for his team with vision, stability and structural soundness. He also introduced imaginative activity zones around his stadium that generated revenue. He is seen as an energetic statesman for the league.
The Cowboys are the highest valued franchise financially. Forbes estimates their valuation at $3.2 billion, with the Patriots next highest at $2.6 billion. These two owners along with the Rooneys in Pittsburgh, Jerry Richardson from Carolina and the Mara/Tisch partnership are the core of NFL leadership. When they speak, it is a bellwether as to how the League will act.
The nation’s second largest city has had no NFL team since Disneyland President Jack Lindquist and I led a losing fight in 1994 to “Save The Rams”. Fifteen million people can drive to a central stadium site within a couple hours on a Sunday afternoon. The region is abundant with major corporations and business, especially in entertainment, that will purchase luxury boxes, fund sponsorships, and do a record breaking naming rights deal. The Rams are valued at $930 million, the NFL’s lowest, and the Raiders are valued at $970 million. Both franchises would almost certainly double their value immediately in Los Angeles.
I have never favored franchise moves that break the heart of incumbent fans. I think it is ultimately harmful to the bond between fans and teams. The St. Louis area is mounting a valiant drive to save its’ team. But the forces are in motion for franchise shifts. The exact details for how the next year plays out are not clear. But, at this time next year two teams will be moving to Los Angeles. Are you ready for some football in Southern California? Build the stadium and they will come.
-- Leigh Steinberg has represented many of the most successful athletes and coaches in football, basketball, baseball, hockey, boxing and golf, including the first overall pick in the NFL draft an unprecedented eight times, among more than 60 first-round selections. His clients have included Hall of Fame quarterbacks Steve Young, Troy Aikman and Warren Moon, and he served as the inspiration for the movie "Jerry Maguire." Follow him on Twitter @leighsteinberg.
10 Best NFL Stadiums
The Flashiest: AT&T Stadium
Known not-so-affectionately as "Jerry World," after polarizing owner, Jerry Jones, it can hold more than 100,000 fans, easily the largest NFL venue. You're heard about the retractable roof, not to mention the HD Jumbotron that stretches from one 20-yard line to the other. It boasts field-level luxury boxes, pillar-less construction for unobstructed sightlines and off-field attractions like a Cowboys Hall of Fame. (Players are bigger and faster ... but at what cost? Follow the Evolution of the Football Player.)
The Top for Tech: Levi's Stadium
San Francisco's Levi's Stadium, the NFL's newest, is the most technologically advanced. (You wouldn't expect any different from a stadium in Silicon Valley.) Boasting Wi-Fi many times faster than its nearest competitor, not to mention stadium apps to order food and beverages from your seat, the "Field of Jeans" is easily the best venue to keep tabs on your fantasy team. The oversized inner bowl and relatively small upper decks mean there are few bad seats. (Mimic Kaepernick's speed and prowess.)
The Coziest Confines: Ford Field
Nestled in the heart of D-Town near casinos, restaurants and Comerica Park, the 2002-built brick-and-glass beauty is a fantastic place to spend a late fall afternoon. Vendors reflect the city's Greek and Polish roots with delicious gyro and sausage offerings. Plush lounges serve local craft beers and some of the most-inviting take-a-break-from-the-game environments you'll find. Whether the on-field product is good, you'll still have a blast. (Find inspiration with 20 Best Nuggets of Wisdom from NFL Coaches.)
The Best View: Sports Authority Field
The air is thin and the beer is cheap in Denver. With Peyton Manning slinging the pigskin, there aren't many more entertaining NFL teams to watch live. But during commercial breaks, your eyes will drift away from the field and toward the nearby Rocky Mountains, rising in the distance. The stadium's undulating upper deck mimics the up-and-down grandeur of the mountains. It's a one-of-a-kind, unforgettable experience. (If you want to bulk up fast, get Men’s Health Big Muscle Training Manual.)
The Ideal Amenities: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
A lot of fans might be surprised to find "The Oil Drum" on this list -- but only those who have never visited. From cushioned, wide seats to the bright window wall looking out onto downtown, this is a fun, comfortable place. Vendors are numerous, smartly located and friendly. Architecture makes every seat a good one. Aesthetics incorporate local history and culture, so you feel like you're actually in a place -- not just some sponsorship-soaked cement dungeon. ("Super nerdy" interview: Andrew Luck.)
The Loudest: CenturyLink Field
There's no harder place in the NFL for visiting teams to win than "The Clink" -- the split-ceilinged, loud-as-a-rocket-blast home of defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. But CenturyLink Field offers visitors a lot more than noise; its beautiful downtown location, towering canyon-like design, and exposure to that famous Pacific Northwest weather make this stadium unlike any other in the country. (Learn 5 Secrets from an NFL Trainer you can apply to your own body-sculpting efforts.)
The Tastiest Tailgate: Arrowhead Stadium
Say the words "Kansas City," and a lot of guys will feel a few taste buds pop at the thought of the area's famous barbecue. The parking lot eats outside of Arrowhead Stadium do nothing to diminish the town's rep. Couple the first-class ribs with one of the most passionate (and friendly!) fan bases in the country, and any football aficionado will find an inviting atmosphere at the home of the Chiefs. MAJOR bonus points: Arrowhead is one of the last pro stadiums that isn't saddled with a corporate moniker.
The Overlooked Gem: Heinz Field
From its lovely downtown perch near the banks of the Ohio River, Pittsburgh's Heinz Field is everything an NFL stadium should be but often isn't -- a fun, inviting representation of its city and fans. It's hard to name specifics when you're trying to define a place's "feel" and atmosphere. But attend a Steelers game and you'll get it. The fans tend to be natives, and they obviously love their team and their city. You'll want to be a local by the time you leave.
The Oldest: Soldier Field
Built in 1924 and beautifully renovated in 2003, Soldier Field in Chicago is easily the oldest NFL venue. Rich with history and situated between the skyscraper-dominated downtown and dark waters of Lake Michigan, the field where the "Monsters of the Midway" once won four titles in 7 years is still one of the most intimidating and hallowed arenas in all of pro football. One visit may turn you into a Bears fan for life.
The Most Legendary: Lambeau Field
There is no more-sacred playing field in football than Lambeau -- a.k.a., the "Frozen Tundra" -- where coach Vince Lombardi once stalked the sidelines. Tucked in a quiet neighborhood of tiny Green Bay, the 1950s-era stadium is a throwback to your father and grandfather's NFL. In a league increasingly dominated by highway-wrapped urban domes, it's a wholly unique experience. You may also be surprised that it's one of the largest and loudest. Lambeau should be a bucket-list destination.
