The beginning of the end...

by Slate Quicksilver

In 1997 I lost a friend. They weren't a good friend, in my lifetime they only made the playoffs a few times. I was 1,100 miles away from their homebase and the national media outlets treated them as if they didn't exist even though the national media outlet who could have shown them was located only 20 miles away. That fact was made even more of a mockery because ESPN was originally created to televise Connecticut based teams. Hartford's success in the mid-80s lead to ESPN getting more subscriptions on cable thus giving ESPN success. This success for the network lead to them ditching their regional coverage and then eventually turning their backs when Hartford had their hockey team stolen from them. I was crushed. Carolina was getting a team even though most of their residents thought icing belonged on cakes. Time has healed this wound... so has a Stanley Cup. But that could have and should have been in Hartford.

Until about 6 months ago, it was looking like I was going to lost another friend. The Florida Marlins do have fans (occasionally), but a terrible stadium location and revolving door at every single position coupled with an owner whose idol is the Scrooge, the team was almost certain to move. But a late minute agreement on a new stadium saved baseball in south Florida. This new stadium will remedy the problem of having empty stands and a lack of regular and established players by replacing them with a new stadium filled with empty stands and lack of good established.

Now begins another time when I may lose another friend. It is no secret that the Jacksonville Jaguars are having trouble putting butts in the stands. A terrible economy in the local area plus a mediocre team combined with fan apathy is wrecking this team. Small market NFL football was the plan in the mid-90s. The USFL's (circa mid 80s) success in Jacksonville was one of the leading factors for giving Jacksonville a team over places like Oklahoma City or Las Vegas. But putting the 4th largest stadium in the 3rd smallest market was a recipe for disaster. The Jags had early success, they went to the AFC championship game in their 2nd year. They were ridiculously good for 6 years making the playoffs 5 of those years and getting to 2 AFC championship games. But a lack of success, dwindling support and a free falling economy has killed them. You probably already know all of their home games are likely to be blacked out. However this is the death knell. Now begins the courtship between the city L.A. and Bills, Vikings, Rams, Raiders, 49ers, Chargers and (of course) the Jaguars.

Let's break it down: The Bills may do a time-share with Toronto if it ever gets really bad there. The Vikings moving is a joke because they still have great fan support and the bargaining chip of new stadium potential since the Twins and U of Minny just got new digs. The Rams will certainly not move from St. Louis... Rush Limbaugh or not. Let's laugh at the thought of the 49ers, Chargers moving. Then we continue our laugh and turn it into hysterical laughter when we think of the Raiders (who just sunk eleventy billion dollars in Oakland's county). Then we have the Jags.

Let's face it, kids, the Jags are moving to the city of Angels. It is written. The second that the stadium finishes being built, the Jags will move in. It's a shame too. L.A. lost two teams... why?... BECAUSE THEY NEGLECTED THOSE TEAMS THE SECOND THEY WERE BAD. Now what does that sound like? Oh, right. JACKSONVILLE!

Whatever your politics are, you can't disagree that the jobs the new stadium will create is a good thing. A 150 million bond issue (passing the buck, basically) plus taxes and the like is a risky venture seeing as California has been tapped out when it comes to money because their is just too many people, not enough tax revenue (CA Republicans fault thanks to tax breaks for the rich) and the fact that everyone and their mother gets government handouts (CA democrats fault thanks to being free spending liberals). Getting a team will get a huge tax payer in the state and the revenue and what not from the team and stadium could really help the state. But I don't want my team to move. I picked 4 teams when I was younger and learning about sports and building allegiances. The Whalers, the Marlins, the Jags and the Heat. 1 moved, 1 dodged a moving bullet, one is going to move and I don't give a shit about NBA basketball until the playoffs.

You may think that you, the individual reader, think you have it tough as a fan. Cleveland fans had it terrible. Detroit fans would have it the worst if the Red Wings weren't so good. Seattle fans are way up there. But what about me? The guy whose teams always fucking move?

I need a drink.