I am sorry to hear that St. Louis might be losing a team. Where is Orthwein??? Well actually went to look it up - he died in 2008. That explains it. Guess he loved St. Louis, and would do anything to have a team there. But still do not understand why they cannot support a football team.
St. Louis, I have only been there once in my life. And went to the zoo there, the one that was a big deal many years ago. They have around 3 million people in the greater metro area, certainly enough to support a team. I know Orthwein bought the Patriots with thoughts of bringing them to St. Louis. We would have gotten another team, but it is not the point. The power of money. He actually was a class act, and sold the team to Kraft - a season ticket holder, allbeit, a rich one (actually it was his wife's money).
But I just looked at the lowest attendance in the NFL - they mention Oakland, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Tampa Bay. I know it is true about Tampa Bay, they cannot fill the stadium and I could buy a ticket for around $35. I have thought about going to a few games, just to see NFL football live again. Just do not want to sit in the heat. A little snow is fine by me. But I really would like to see an NFL game again - and at that price why not.
This thing with LA, they are never going to be able to support a team. Just do not see it happening. And it has been proven, time and time again. Football is a sport to be played out in elements. And San Francisco is actually usually cold during the whole year (well cold is relative) and perfect for football. San Diego is holding up well in the sunny skies of California. So to me, San Francisco and San Diego are teams that will last forever in California. But Oakland and LA, nope. Just let it go. LA is la,la land. Sit in a stadium and get serious about football??? Why bother, better things to do!
I have always felt that California is far and away the most beautiful state in the country. But never liked LA. Nope, you can have it.
In order to support a team there must be passion for the team. Not just going to a game, but passion. If it is not there, tough to keep a team. There are very few teams that have that kind of passion. St. Louis and LA are not on the list. And it doesn't mean a winning team, rather a passion for the game.
I have no problem with them cutting back on the number of teams. That said, NFL football is the number one sport in America and a city like St. Louis should be able to support a team. LA, well, who knows, but I would never see LA as a football town. Unless college football.