Elevator Pitch First Draft

Money Talks. This is true in both cooperate America and in the National Football League. For almost two decades the NFL has not had a team in the second largest media market in the country, Los Angeles. Many argue that a city like LA is too busy and not a pure sports town. Teams like the Dodgers, Kings, and Angels struggle to draw consistent attendance when their product on the field/ ice isn't championship caliber. But the NFL is different. It's the most popular American sport and their are only eight home games played a year. Based off fan success and interest in college football programs such as USC and UCLA, I believe a professional team would thrive in a city like Los Angeles. There are already 32 teams in the league, which creates an even balance for divisions and conferences. I don't believe adding an expansion team is the correct course of action. Instead, relocation of an NFL team is necessary for Los Angeles to have a team. I propose that the St. Louis Rams of the NFC be the franchise relocated to a new stadium in LA. Recently the Rams were denied a grant of $700 million dollars that would go towards repairs to their current stadium in St. Louis. Since the grant was denied the Rams have the ability to break their lease with the Edward Jones dome after the 2014 season. This is a young team that is on the improve. In two years from now they will be competing for a division title and potentially an NFL championship. If moved into a brand new stadium in Los Angeles they would be sure to draw interest and pack their building (something they are not doing in St. Louis). The Rams already play in the NFC West division and moving the team to LA would not mean division reorganization for the NFL. Also, the Rams franchise already has a history of playing in Los Angeles. Returning the team to the city would reignite the former Los Angeles Rams fan base and encourage a new, younger fan base.