Each week sports reporters Matthew Lambert and Sam Thiel will face off on a hot topic in sports. The world of sports is changing quickly and constantly, but we want to slow it down and take a better look at the juiciest gossip, scandal, rumor or issue that is making headlines this week. Lambert and Thiel will take different sides and battle it out, telling you why you they are right.
This week’s topic: Rams going back to California
Last week, the St. Louis Rams announced their relocation to Los Angeles, Calif. after 20 years in St. Louis. This week, Matthew Lambert and Sam Thiel voice their opinions about whether or not the move was necessary. Let’s talk about it… (Recap by Sam Thiel)
Matthew Lambert / Winonan
For St. Louis, things are looking grim. I’ve never experienced what they’re going through. Years ago Minnesota lost the North Stars and, most famously, the Lakers, but I’ve never experienced the agony. With the news of the Rams uprooting their 21-year tenure to move to sunny pastures in Los Angeles, I can’t help be totally on the side of the move.
First off, look at the financial side. Owner Stan Kroenke did it wrong the first time around. They forced the taxpayers to cover the entirety of the stadium, all $280 million dollars. This time though, Kroenke is fronting all of the costs, himself, an estimated $1.6 billion dollars. That’s the largest concern, not making the taxpayers, who will never see that money again, not have to pay anything for it.
Second, it’s Los Angeles, it’s cool. The Rams could become the most popular franchise in the NFL, being in such a popular, celebrity driven town. How could St. Louis compete with one of the most popular cities in the world?
Third, this new stadium won’t just be used for football, obviously. Think off all the different uses: concerts, the LA Galaxy, a baseball team, and even splitting with the Chargers or the Raiders.
However the Rams fans feel right now, it’s only temporary. My advice: continue to show your loyalty to them. If not, the St. Louis Cardinals still rock so, get over it.
Sam Thiel / Winonan
Imagine you’re someone who has been to every game of your favorite football team the last 20 years who’s made a lot of memories. Or a young fan who has nothing but the future to make a lifetime of memories.
Now imagine those memories being erased with the single signature of a pen.
After 20 years, the St. Louis Rams are officially going back to Los Angeles.
The first reason why the Rams’ move is a bad idea is that Los Angeles doesn’t need another sports team. They already have six. Teams shouldn’t be moving to overpopulated cities inhabited by actors and celebrities; they should be moving to states that don’t have a franchise like Montana. Let’s face it, do Adam Sandler or Billy Crystal really need another place to get publicity? I don’t think so.
A final reason why the Rams shouldn’t make the move to Los Angeles is that there could be financial repercussions. Owner Stan Kroenke could be fined up to $500,000 for every day he is in Los Angeles if he moved the team without the league’s approval, not to mention relocation fees. This situation has been presented before: in 1996 when the Seahawks moved to Anaheim for just a week.
Losing a sports team hurts. At least St. Louis fans can join the waitlist with other cities hoping for the day another franchise comes knocking on their door.
