CA Supreme Court Strikes Blow to Stadium Plans for 49ers, AEG LA, and Chargers

**Almaden** · 12-30-2011, 08:35 AM

I won't attempt to explain yesterday's ruling or it's full implications because there are plenty of stories already out on the web. One of the most relevant analysis can we found at Field of Schemes.

Field of Schemes

In a nutshell:

- The state supreme court upheld the abolison of redevelopment agencies

- The decision creates a $40 million shortfall for the 49ers Santa Clara project. Not a huge gap in a billion dollar project, but still problematic

- No impact on the Oakland Live proposal since it does not rely on RDAs.

- The AEG stadium project in LA is adversely impacted, possibly giving an edge to the competing Irwindale project. Interestingly, the guy who publishes Field of Schemes doesn't seem to think either LA stadium project has much of a chance of ever happening. He seems to be well informed on professional sports stadium projects across the US and Canada.

- The prospects for a Charger stadium in San Diego in the San Diego area appear dead.

- My take: chances of the Raiders sharing a Santa Clara facility have increased slightly. Chances of them moving to LA
have always been low, and now are even lower. Chances of the Chargers moving to LA have increased.

**Almaden** · 12-30-2011, 08:49 AM

In addition to Fieldofschemes.com, another with analysis of the court ruling is newballpark.org

**LibertyPirate** · 12-30-2011, 10:03 AM

Originally Posted by Almaden

...The AEG stadium project in LA is adversely impacted, possibly giving an edge to the competing Irwindale project...

The competing project is in the City of Industry BTW. And AEG will have to pony up more dollars to demolish part of the LA convention center if it is to happen. As far as who goes where. The NFL has talked of 2 tenants for a while so it's could be a 2 out of 3 between the Raiders, Rams and Chargers.

I think Amy Trask is the biggest shark in this pond. My guess is either they announce something this off season with Roski or they wait for a Santa Clara solution. If they don't move to LA for 2012 I doubt they will at all. Should make Oakland loyalists breath a sigh of relief :-)

**raiderrick311** · 12-30-2011, 10:31 AM

There was a time that I was real fearful that we'd move South once again. However, the last couple of years (particularly this season) has eased my fears. I've noticed how much the Raiders have gotten involved in the community as of late and there aggressive ticket sales practices. We are coming off the darkest time in our franchises history. An average of about 3.5 wins per year for the last 8 years (previous 2010) would send any teams fan base away from games. Fast forward to 2010 and we were 8-8 and sold out only one game. However, this is when I noticed a change in the Raiders marketing and ticket operations. All of the sudden I've seen the raiders at community events, fundraisers, and festivals. They've made their presence known more in the last 2 years than there whole 16 year stay in Oakland. That combined with all games sold out this year (mainly due to aggressive 2 for 1 pricing) makes me think the Raiders are in Oakland for the long term. The franchise has seem to found some footing and I think the last thing you want to do is uproot and start all over again.

**RaiderAM** · 12-30-2011, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by raiderrick311

There was a time that I was real fearful that we'd move South once again. However, the last couple of years (particularly this season) has eased my fears. I've noticed how much the Raiders have gotten involved in the community as of late and there aggressive ticket sales practices. We are coming off the darkest time in our franchises history. An average of about 3.5 wins per year for the last 8 years (previous 2010) would send any teams fan base away from games. Fast forward to 2010 and we were 8-8 and sold out only one game. However, this is when I noticed a change in the Raiders marketing and ticket operations. All of the sudden I've seen the raiders at community events, fundraisers, and festivals. They've made their presence known more in the last 2 years than there whole 16 year stay in Oakland. That combined with all games sold out this year (mainly due to aggressive 2 for 1 pricing) makes me think the Raiders are in Oakland for the long term. The franchise has seem to found some footing and I think the last thing you want to do is uproot and start all over again.

I noticed that too and I am very glad about that fact! It's great that the team is building their relationship with it's city once again.

**HorrorSCope** · 12-30-2011, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by LibertyPirate

Should make Oakland loyalists breath a sigh of relief :-)

I love how it's simply laid out like that, as if perhaps they should be toyed like that. Put it this way:

Should make Dallas loyalists breath a sigh of relief
Should make Pittsburgh loyalists breath a sigh of relief
Should make the Green Bay loyalists breath a sigh of relief

As if a town and it's people should have to worry about things like this.

Send the Rams back, they shouldn't have ever left. That is LA's team. If you don't think so, it just means you're not old enough.

**Da Swami** · 12-30-2011, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by HorrorSCope

I love how it's simply laid out like that, as if perhaps they should be toyed like that. Put it this way:

Should make Dallas loyalists breath a sigh of relief
Should make Pittsburgh loyalists breath a sigh of relief
Should make the Green Bay loyalists breath a sigh of relief

As if a town and it's people should have to worry about things like this.

Send the Rams back, they shouldn't have ever left. That is LA's team. If you don't think so, it just means you're not old enough.

No, the Rams are Georgia Frontierre's team.

This has no impact on private developers and if it was such a good idea, they would be lining up and they are not.

**Raider187** · 12-30-2011, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by HorrorSCope

I love how it's simply laid out like that, as if perhaps they should be toyed like that. Put it this way:

Should make Dallas loyalists breath a sigh of relief
Should make Pittsburgh loyalists breath a sigh of relief
Should make the Green Bay loyalists breath a sigh of relief

As if a town and it's people should have to worry about things like this.

Send the Rams back, they shouldn't have ever left. That is LA's team. If you don't think so, it just means you're not old enough.

I agree 1000%! If any existing team HAS to be relocated to Los Angeles, the Rams by far make the most sense. St. Louis never fully embraced that team, even when they were on top of the world winning a Super Bowl. Many in St. Louis are still pissed about the Cardinals relocating to Arizona, just as many of us were when the Raiders left Oakland for Los Angeles. The new owner of the Rams (Stan Kroenke) has many ties to sports business in the LA area as well. Their lease at the Edward Jones dome is up in a year or two as well, so this really makes the most sense to me.

**Eastbay39** · 12-30-2011, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by HorrorSCope

I love how it's simply laid out like that, as if perhaps they should be toyed like that. Put it this way:

Should make Dallas loyalists breath a sigh of relief
Should make Pittsburgh loyalists breath a sigh of relief
Should make the Green Bay loyalists breath a sigh of relief

As if a town and it's people should have to worry about things like this.

Send the Rams back, they shouldn't have ever left. That is LA's team. If you don't think so, it just means you're not old enough.

Well said.

**Sea Of Hands** · 12-30-2011, 12:08 PM

The "Eternal Sea" continues to rage... Who knows what I am talking about???

**Sea Of Hands** · 12-30-2011, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by Raider187

I agree 1000%! If any existing team HAS to be relocated to Los Angeles, the Rams by far make the most sense. St. Louis never fully embraced that team, even when they were on top of the world winning a Super Bowl. Many in St. Louis are still pissed about the Cardinals relocating to Arizona, just as many of us were when the Raiders left Oakland for Los Angeles. The new owner of the Rams (Stan Kroenke) has many ties to sports business in the LA area as well. Their lease at the Edward Jones dome is up in a year or two as well, so this really makes the most sense to me.

Wishful thinking perhaps??

**LibertyPirate** · 12-30-2011, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by Da Swami

No, the Rams are Georgia Frontierre's team.

This has no impact on private developers and if it was such a good idea, they would be lining up and they are not.

^^^THIS!^^^

And the record, Dallas fans don't have to breathe a sigh of relief is because the Cowboys reside in a viable sports market. The Raiders currently do not. Warriors are looking at San Francisco. A's are all but gone to San Jose. But you guys think the Raiders are gonna mostly self finance a stadium in your hood??? Really??? When they can pay have as much and see the franchise value rise by a 3rd by going to LA??? Or at worst pay a little rent to the 9ers to reside at their new digs.

The Raiders chances of staying in Oakland city proper are slim and none. The poster was right about the redevelopment funds. The public funding boondoggle ain't coming to your city. You guys should stop taking it personal and accept REALITY. 8 sellouts in that old stadium don't mean squat. Corporate money runs the NFL. You and I are unimportant...

**raiderArt** · 12-30-2011, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by LibertyPirate

^^^THIS!^^^

And the record, Dallas fans don't have to breathe a sigh of relief is because the Cowboys reside in a viable sports market. The Raiders currently do not. Warriors are looking at San Francisco. A's are all but gone to San Jose. But you guys think the Raiders are gonna mostly self finance a stadium in your hood??? Really??? When they can pay have as much and see the franchise value rise by a 3rd by going to LA??? Or at worst pay a little rent to the 9ers to reside at their new digs.

The Raiders chances of staying in Oakland city proper are slim and none. The poster was right about the redevelopment funds. The public funding boondoggle ain't coming to your city. You guys should stop taking it personal and accept REALITY. 8 sellouts in that old stadium don't mean squat. Corporate money runs the NFL. You and I are unimportant...

The bay area is not a viable sports market?

Desperation sets in...

**Raider187** · 12-30-2011, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by LibertyPirate

^^^THIS!^^^

And the record, Dallas fans don't have to breathe a sigh of relief is because the Cowboys reside in a viable sports market. The Raiders currently do not. Warriors are looking at San Francisco. A's are all but gone to San Jose. But you guys think the Raiders are gonna mostly self finance a stadium in your hood??? Really??? When they can pay have as much and see the franchise value rise by a 3rd by going to LA??? Or at worst pay a little rent to the 9ers to reside at their new digs.

The Raiders chances of staying in Oakland city proper are slim and none. The poster was right about the redevelopment funds. The public funding boondoggle ain't coming to your city. You guys should stop taking it personal and accept REALITY. 8 sellouts in that old stadium don't mean squat. Corporate money runs the NFL. You and I are unimportant...

Dude, you are waaaaaay off base in regards to Oakland's chances of keeping the Raiders. As far as the Whiner aspect, that is true. However, not to be disrespectful or anything, but I have some personal insight into this matter that I can speak from. You can go ahead and discount Oakland's chances of keeping the Raiders in a brand new facility (in Oakland) all you want, and that LA is so much more financially viable, but one look to Baltimore will prove your point moot. They did exactly for the Ravens what Oakland is trying to do for the Raiders. The Ravens are now roughly worth $1.1 billion dollars, and are ranked in the top 10 of the NFL in franchise worth. And if you're questioning Oakland's financial resources to build a facility, the deconstruction of the redevelopment agencies does not affect the land the Coliseum currently sits on. The Oakland Live! plan is a part of a separate joint-powers agreement which allows the Coliseum Authority to raise money for its own projects. Not to mention that Oakland city officials are also planning on tapping into their transportation fund surplus. Oakland is being vastly overlooked in this process. Everyone is going to be pleasantly surprised at the final outcome of this stadium solution journey.

**LibertyPirate** · 12-30-2011, 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by raiderArt

The bay area is not a viable sports market?

No... Oakland isn't a viable sports market. If it was your 3 teams wouldn't be at risk of leaving. It's economics plain and simple. If you disagree then tell me why the A's are all but gone, the Warriors are weighing options for San Francisco and the Raiders are more likely to be in Santa Clara or LA.

Understand it's not about the rank and file fan. Sports entertainment is corporate driven to the core. In lieu of anything less than an ENORMOUS public expenditure the Raiders, A's and possibly the Warriors will pull up shop. Granted they may stay in/near the bay area, but not in Oakland city proper.

I honestly don't know why it's such a big deal to you guys if they move. Especially if it's to Santa Clara.