After Los Angeles lost both of its NFL franchises in 1995, the city has been starving for some NFL action. LA boasts the second largest sports market in the US and is home to multiple professional franchises.Hope for an NFL team appears to be on the horizon as one of their former teams is reportedly on the verge of coming home and bringing an instate friend along with them.
In 1946, LA football was born as the Cleveland Rams relocated to play their games in LA and Anaheim. In 1982, LA got their second team, the Raiders. The late Al Davis saw the LA market as a gold mine, with the advanced ability to secure pay-per-view deals while calling the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum home.
In 1995, LA and its football following were hit hard, as they lost both of their NFL franchises. Davis moved the Raiders back to Oakland, after LA city representatives refused to answer his demands for stadium renovations, while Rams owner Georgia Frontiere saw better opportunity to expand her profits and sponsorship in St. Louis.
Well where would they play?
Reportedly Farmers Field seems to be the frontrunner. Near the Staples Center, in prime downtown Los Angeles its every marketer and sponsors dream location. This is no cheap or easy project with an estimated cost of $1.2 billion. This seems to be well worth it though given it will create 18,000 jobs, easily win LA a Super Bowl bid with a max capacity of 80,000, and won't take a cent from taxpayers because its supposedly funded solely on private investments.
Sponsorship in LA surely wouldn't be hard to find. Reports already suggest that Farmers Insurance Group is interested in naming rights and are willing to dish out $700 million for a 30- year deal, which could move to $1 billion if a second team were to get involved in the relocation. Young Raiders standouts such as linebacker Khalil Mack and quarterback Derek Carr would definitely benefit from larger market exposure.
There is no doubting the move makes sense for the NFL. It will be interesting to see which of the 3 teams make the move, we think Raiders and Chargers will pair up and take the new stadium and the $1 billion. We will be following closely and make sure OpenSponsorship is up-to-date with the ensuring sponsorship opportunities!
