Oilers/Titans Relocation (Memphis, Jackson, Cleveland: rent, brokers, new home)

[kcnative]

Quote taken from another thread:

Originally Posted by Kabluey

Here's the deal, without getting into too many of the pre-80s details,

Rozelle promised Memphis power-brokers they would be next on the expansion list if they sold out exhibition games. They did so. Tags comes in and doesn't honor this agreement. Expansion race on, Memphis has a powerful ownership group, tries to get state funding for a worthy stadium. Tennessee legislature in Nashville refuses. Memphis has to haggle change for moderate improvements. That wasn't even enough to compete with Jacksonville's improvements. Jacksonville gets the franchise. Eventually, two other candidates receive relocation franchises (St. Louis and Baltimore). Houston looks for a new home, and engages in an exclusive negotiating deal with Nashville (so they couldn't negotiate with Memphis or even Houston). They need a new stadium. Tennessee legislature in Nashville gives them the necessary funds, over the vigorous objection of W. Tenn. legislators with above-moderate memories of the prior rejection and evident double-standard.

I quote the rest from a poster from another thread; this pretty much reflects my memory of the Oilers' ignominious and disrespectful tenure in Memphis: "Since it will take a few years for the stadium to be ready, Nashville officials and the Oilers negotiate with Memphis officials for the Liberty Bowl to temporarily host the team for up to 2 seasons. Terms of the agreement included:

a) All team operations including the players will move to Nashville; Memphis will be expected to pay for all travel expenses incurred during the season for all home games (if memory serves, Memphis refused this condition). The team does everything operationally in Nashville, including practice, ensuring no ancillary benefits to Memphis during the two years.

b) The team would pay rent to the Liberty Bowl for it's use (this was eventually subsidized by the government, ergo--your tax dollars). The final rent amount was so low that it ensured that it was no better than a break-even deal for the Liberty Bowl.

c) The 2nd year was optional, although it was assumed early on that the team leaving early was unrealistic. The team was not expected to be in Memphis longer than 2 years.

Other items Memphis negotiated for were rejected, including playing some preseason and at least one home game at the Liberty Bowl once the move to Nashville was complete."

The team did no outreach in Memphis. They failed to ingratiate themselves to the community, which is their DUTY. They earned any antipathy they receive from Memphis. The franchise, that is, not Nashville. I have no problem with the Preds except the fact that I just don't get hockey. They earned that franchise fair and square and have a pretty cool logo to boot. The legislature, yeah, I got huge problems with them.

It was NEVER Memphis vs. Nashville in Bud Adams' decision. Memphis was never given an opportunity to compete. AGain, interestingly enough, neither was Houston!

Sorry to hijack this thread and turn it into a OIlers/Titans venting session, but I just wanted to address certain remarks about alleged failures of Memphis (the evident failure being the failure to bend over for a carpetbagging team, kowtow to them unconditionally, and give Adams keys to the tax coffers for two years). No other city would've accepted the Oilers' conditions gratefully; not Nashville, not Cleveland, not Chicago, no one.

As for Memphis v. Nashville, they are cities with different atmospheres, with pros and cons. Experience each for yourself. Don't buy the second-hand accounts. Be your own judge. I know many people who love living in Detroit. Good for 'em.

[kcnative]

Originally Posted by Pearlbob

I don't think the Titans were ever going to stay in Memphis. the plan was always to build the stadium in Nashville, they were just waiting it out here. So, why bother going to support a team that doesn't want to be in your city? Memphis was against Nashville to get the team, and they chose Nashville.

I lived in Memphis during this time and went to almost every home game. Why?

1) Because I was/am a fan of the NFL and you don't often get to see NFL games in Memphis, even if it IS in the crappy Liberty Bowl with 12k in attendance.

2) Because Memphis was labeled as a city who couldn't support pro sports. I wanted to show that yes, we COULD...and not enhance that opinion by proving such with low attendance.

Turns out, Memphis CAN'T support pro sports...because (insert reason here)...and THAT's why they didn't get a team. Not because State Legislature had a bias.

[chuck1229]

Originally Posted by kcnative

I lived in Memphis during this time and went to almost every home game. Why?

1) Because I was/am a fan of the NFL and you don't often get to see NFL games in Memphis, even if it IS in the crappy Liberty Bowl with 12k in attendance.

2) Because Memphis was labeled as a city who couldn't support pro sports. I wanted to show that yes, we COULD...and not enhance that opinion by proving such with low attendance.

Turns out, Memphis CAN'T support pro sports...because (insert reason here)...and THAT's why they didn't get a team. Not because State Legislature had a bias.

I disagree. Memphis can support pro sports. Look at the Grizzlies. They would be selling out all the games if they were smart and built a 10,000 seat arena, lol

Maybe the "Tigers" should be our pro team.

[kcnative]

I'm assuming you were being sarcastic with that post...a quick google search for Grizzlies Attendance shows the issues...and even with attendance up lately, it's still lower than average for the NBA.

[TimtheGuy]

I lived in Memphis during this time too and went to the home games. I thought it was GREAT! I and all my buddies would buy tickets on the street before the game for $15-$20 and we could basically sit where we wanted.

The only game that "packed them in" was the final of the year vs. Pittsburg. It was in the 30's and raining. It was a blast!

I went to the TN v. Vikings (I'm from MN) the next year in the Vanderbuilt stadium with my wife and brother who flew in...what a joke for a NFL game. We smuggled in our own liquor as they did not sell it, you couldn't get around the stadium at all as it was not built to handle that many people. I will say the bleachers (no chairs) were right on top of the field so you were really closed which was cool. The visitors sideline was about 5 feet deep. There were no bench warmers for the Vikes that day because there was no bench!

I always thought it was comical how Nashville thinks they are so much better than Memphis. I did not see it that way.

ps. I would much rather see a game in the Liberty Bowl than the lame ass stadium we have known as the Metrodome.

[chuck1229]

Originally Posted by kcnative

I'm assuming you were being sarcastic with that post...a quick google search for Grizzlies Attendance shows the issues...and even with attendance up lately, it's still lower than average for the NBA.

Sarcasism is right. Poor Griz, just can't get it going.

[mzloolue]

Originally Posted by kcnative

Turns out, Memphis CAN'T support pro sports...because (insert reason here)...and THAT's why they didn't get a team. Not because State Legislature had a bias.

Yeah right...

That's funny, know any more jokes?

[Pearlbob]

Why go to a game when there is a 125% chance they are going to lose?

[strumpeace]

Memphis did not get the team (just as it did not get a team when it tried in the 80s) because, quite simply, the socioeconomic conditions here are not favorable for expensive entertainment.

The Grizzlies, btw, draw the third smallest average home crowd in the entire NBA. Even when they were winning a few years ago, they couldn't get a sellout.

[chuck1229]

Originally Posted by strumpeace

Memphis did not get the team (just as it did not get a team when it tried in the 80s) because, quite simply, the socioeconomic conditions here are not favorable for expensive entertainment.

The Grizzlies, btw, draw the third smallest average home crowd in the entire NBA. Even when they were winning a few years ago, they couldn't get a sellout.

But we must remember that the entertainment market is not just Memphis. Hanna Montanna, sold out and big ticket price, Stevie Wonder, sold out and big ticket price. Maybe we are just not a good sports town.