I was reading this article on ESPN yesterday about the Seattle Supersonics moving and a question popped up for some of the writers regarding their favorite teams. They asked "What price would you accept to allow your most favorite sports team to relocate to another city?". Very good question. A few of the writers had some good ones, and realistic ones. They asked readers to chime in with a price for their favorite team. I wanted to respond but didn't have any time so I figured i'd just write an entry on it here.
How much would it take for me to be bought out and allow my beloved 49ers to relocate to another city. Say Los Angeles. A city not very far away, but a city I hate with a passion. San Francisco fans are not supposed to like Los Angeles. Hello? Giants/Dodgers anyone? Anyway, considering a couple of writers were factoring in prices in tickets they purchased in their lifetime, possible moving costs and cost of living at the new city where the sports team relocated to, the numbers becamse stagerring. Tens of millions of dollars and some even the cost of an entire franchise. Take the Yankee fans for example. The easiest way for one die hard Yankee fan to allow his team to relocate would be to be paid the total amount of their entire payroll which is staggering. I think that's fair. I'd like to think i'm a big enough fan that I couldn't part with the Niners for any amount of money, but that wouldn't be realistic. I mean seriously. If John and Denise York came to my door and said we'd give you said amount of money if I allow them to move to L.A., i'd have to seriously consider it. But somehow I can't put a figure on it. On one hand, I love the Niners. It would break my heart to see "Los Angeles" before the 49ers on any sign. So much so i'd be mentally distraught. I'd consider seeing a shrink to console me. But 100 million dollars would help. Or maybe a total package that would compensate me instead of money. I haven't thought about it much, but i've got a starting point. As much as I hate L.A., I could live there. So factor in the cost of a house within reasonable driving time from the new state of the art stadium. That comes up to maybe 1.5 million dollars. Hey, have you seen prices in California? 1.5 mil may get you a 2 bedroom apartment depending on location. I'm being modest here. Okay, 2 million for the house. I would need 4 seats, about 30 rows up from the field at the 50 yard line for my entire lifetime. Including sideline passes for all 4 and access to the locker room and use of a luxury box on special occassions. Tickets, airfare and hotel for away games also need to be added. Signed memorabilia from past teams, current and new rosters as well. That about covers the perks. Now for the most important part. The financial settlement for mental anguish of losing my favorite team and having to relocate to watch them. I'd like to say 20 million and i'd jump at the chance. But what's 20 million? I could spend that in 5 years. You think i'm exagerrating? Ask any of my close friends. They'll tell you I could spend that in 2 years max. 50 million? Getting warmer. It would be enough to hold me over perhaps a decade. But not enough to set me up for the rest of my life. You're talking about me losing the memories of Montana to Rice in the Superbowl. Steve Young's 6 TD's against the Chargers. Dwight Clark's the catch. Primetime helping us beat the Cowboys to finally win our 5th ring. Bill Walsh and the west coast offense. 50 million is chump change compared to those moments. 100 million dollars. It's a nice round number. Something I could realistically build my empire with. Enough to ensure my family is taken care of for generations. Adequate enough for me to build a house like Tiger Woods' and have a private jet take me to my favorite golf courses. Enough to drive a BMW M5 for fun and have a chauffered Maybach when I go to work and not have to worry about soaring gas prices.
So there you have it. I too have a price. As much as it would pain me to see the Niners change their colors and logo. Especially moving to L.A., I could live with myself for the lump sum of 102 million dollars. Don't think I forgot about the house in L.A.
Comments