[sportscurmudgeon]

Key issue in being able to move a team is the stadium lease the team has in the present city. Here are a couple of situations to keep an eye on:

Vikings: Lease expires in 2011 with or without a new stadium on the books.

Rams: Have an opt-out clause in their lease for 2014.

Chargers: Lease runs to 2020 but the team can buy out of the lease each Spring - - and the amount to buy out goes down every year. Amount is just under $26M in 2011.

Bills: Lease expires in 2012. Team wants upgrades to the stadium and team has been stiff-armed every time they ask.

Raiders: Just extended their lease through 2013.


Remember, it will take a couple of years to get the LA stadium built once they get permission to break ground so teams that can move in 12,13 and 14 are all in play.


BTW, when Los Angeles lost its two NFL teams, they played in the LA Coliseum. If you have never been there, you might have difficulty understanding why it was a "less than wonderful game experience" for fans. No one would move to LA if they had to play there; that's why there are people jockeying to build a new stadium in one of two locales in the LA area...