Here's a question I don't believe has been discussed: Will the NFL ever put an AFC team in Chicago? The NFL will go back to LA. It won't wait forever; the market is too important. Television alone will be a huge issue. Could part of a deal that would put the NFC/Fox into LA create a network balance by putting AFC/CBS in Chicago? The Cardinals didn't leave Chicago because of lack of financial success (although there was plenty of that as they played back-up to the Bears). They moved because the end of the 50's is when the NFL exploded into national consciousness. TV was becoming huge and there was not way that CBS (the only NFL broadcaster at the time) could televise both Bears and Cardinals. That's why we ended up with the St. Louis Cardinals. The biggest contributing factor in Chicago becoming a one team city: George Halas. Flash forward to today. Chicagoland is a much bigger market. We alone of the cities in the nation have always been in the NL and AL since their inception. So if we have two baseball teams, WHY NOT two football teams? Could Chicago AFL make it financially? Unquestionably. Think of demand for Bears' season tickets. Think of disgust for Bear management. How long do you think a new team in town could sell out its ticket base? Soldier Field just stands there every other Sunday. If I'm not mistaken, there is nothing in the Bears deal with the city that can prevent a second NFL team. There is nothing in the NFL that protects territory like MLB. And half of Chicagoland is far bigger than the whole of any non-LA territory out there that could be open for a new franchise. For the image issues that Daley loves, this gives Chicago another bit of prestige (as if the city really needed it). Again...a most realistic proposal. A new Chicago AFC team. I'll call it the Chicago Stags (Chicago's original NBA franchise...Stags sounds cool to me)....or if I really want to get ridiculous, the Chicago White Cleats (to go along with White Sox as Bears go with Cubs)....but you can call it whatever you want....as long as you want the team. Thoughts?> |
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