“Iconic Wrestler Frank Goodish A.K.A. Bruiser Brody; Still Touching Lives After All These Years”

Al Snow with one of the greatest wrestling stories of all time about Frank

Frank Goodish, still touching lives to this day.

On a cool winter day about 5 years ago, I had to make a house call to Mr. S (no name for healthcare privacy).  Mr. S was in his late 60’s and he was not doing well and he had just lost his wife.  He was getting ready to move back east to live with his daughter with the hopes his grandchildren could spark life into him.

As I sat in his home with his daughter, they got me a snack and I gave Mr. S a breathing treatment.  He was a small, frail Japanese man who was obviously in a lot of emotional pain to go along with his poor health.  He barely spoke.

I looked around the room to see if there was something I could talk to him about to try and cheer him up; an old salesman’s trick.  His bookshelf was filled with books mostly in Japanese, the country he grew up in.  About 25 years ago his company asked him to move to America to work for their San Francisco Bay Area branch and he agreed.

https://www.amazon.com/Brody-Triumph-Tragedy-Wrestlings-Rebel/dp/1550227602/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1502198043&sr=8-2&keywords=bruiser+brody

I looked and saw some wrestling magazines.  He saw that I was reading them and all of a sudden a wry smile came to Mr. S and he took the nebulizer out of his mouth and said, HUSS, HUSS!

I smiled and asked his daughter what that meant and she said that her father was a big wrestling fan and that was Bruiser Brody’s famous yell when he entered the ring.  Bruiser Brody and Stan Hansen were his favorite wrestlers.  I patiently listened to his daughters translation of her father who began to open up and talk about Bruiser and Stan’s amazing entrances and their great skill.  Wrestling in Japan in those days was very serious business and the respectful fans of the orient had an amazing passion for it.  He said that his family and friends often went to the matches together and he was very fond of those memories.

We sat and talked for a couple of hours.  I had to come back the next day so I went home and went on Youtube.  I looked at every video I could on Bruiser Brody and I ordered the book “Brody; The Triumph and Tragedy of Wrestling’s Rebel” on Amazon (link above).  It was written by his wife Barbara, and Wrestling Promoter and friend Larry Matysik.  Once I saw Bruiser Brody’s first entrance in Japan, my mouth was wide open.  Here they were playing Led Zeppelin’s Immigrant Song and he’s swinging a chain over his head while fans and ring workers alike ran for their lives.  I thought, “my God this is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen!”  I used to be a huge wrestling fan but I long since dumped it since it became the after school special product of today.  I was not into sports entertainment; I liked wrestling.

(below is a great Facebook group honoring Bruiser Brody.  Please join; they would love to have you.)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/181147161997110/

I stayed up for hours probably watching nearly 50 more videos on Frank Goodish, AKA Bruiser Brody.  The next day I went to Mr. S’s again and showed he and his daughter the Youtube videos, both in English and Japanese.  He was euphoric!  He wouldn’t stop talking saying that he was even at a few of the matches we watched.  I stayed for hours and listened to them laugh and have an amazing time reminiscing about the “intelligent monster” and all of the fun their family had going to the matches.

When I left, Mr. S grabbed both of my hands and bowed saying he was so glad that I came by.  His daughter gave me some snacks to take home and thanked me as well.  That night I ate the snacks and drank Guinness watching Youtube videos of Frank doing leap frogs, drop kicks, and his classic move where standing still he would bring his leg straight up and smash his opponents face.  My jaw dropped.  I never saw anything like it.  To end it he jumped high in the air from the top rope and busted his opponent with a knee.

The Myth of Bruiser Brody:

Frank Goodish was the greatest Independent Wrestler of all time and one of the greats period.  He was a spiritual, complicated man, and the stories of him are of legend.  I could relate to him immediately.  From his physicality and “stiff” or “strong style” form of wrestling, to him carrying cans of tuna and green beans on the road for a cheap snack.  He was mostly loved by wrestlers and hated by promoters.  I had to find out the truth behind all of the stories.

 

 

I first watched several matches with him and Stan Hansen.  It didn’t matter if the opponents were the Funk’s or whoever else, Stan and Frank ran through them like buzz saws.  There wasn’t a wasted movement and they were like a tidal wave.  They just kept coming.  After every tag team match their opponents looked like they were about ready to pass out from exhaustion, while Stan and Frank looked like they were out for a Sunday morning stroll.  These guys were like machines that never tired.  I always thought the Road Warriors or a younger Steiner Brothers were the best tag teams ever, but Stan and Bruiser Brody are the best in my mind.  I’ll bring them to the ring against anyone in history and smile while doing it.

I also heard negative stories about Frank.  I wanted to know the truth and let’s face it; other than politics, there is no arena with more lies and falsehoods than the wrestling business.  It seemed that few really knew the truth or wanted to know it for that matter.  I took about 6 months to devour anything on Bruiser Brody so I could answer these questions.

Steroids:

I’ve seen various online articles saying what a huge steroid user Bruiser Brody was, especially from younger wrestling fans and writers.  Well that is false.  Bruiser did use steroids for a short time in the late 70’s when they were NOT illegal and they didn’t know the long term ramifications of their use.  Well Frank found out quickly they made him very sick so he stopped using them.

On a trip home from Japan Larry Matysik explains in his book that Frank crumpled and collapsed on the airplane saying that he thought he was dying.  The doctors didn’t have a definitive answer to his illness but Frank did.  He felt that steroids were destroying his body so he stopped cold turkey in 1979.  He never used steroids again and he was never that ill.

The Lex Luger “no sell” incident:

Boy does Brody get destroyed online for this one.  At the time Lex Luger was still learning how to wrestle but he had that amazing physique that was becoming a big deal in the steroid era of the 80’s.  Not even 2 years into his career, he was given a steel cage match with Bruiser Brody.  It was hard for wrestlers to watch because Luger had the reputation for being pretty self-absorbed and some thought he was no where near good enough yet to get such a push.

Bobby Heenan explained that Luger went up to Brody and started telling him how the match should be played out, which incensed Brody.  Several others have said that Bruiser told promoters that he was not going to put up with any of Luger’s bulls**t.  Brody told Luger they would just call the match in the ring.  When he went into the ring Brody never “sold” (acted like he was hurt by punches) and the match was uncomfortable to watch.  Luger looked like he legitimately got scared and left the ring; quickly; and immediately exited the arena.  This story has also been backed up in interviews and podcast’s by the referee of the match, Bill Alfonso.

When Bruiser said nothing about it, the media and fans said Bruiser was just being a selfish jerk.  The problem was though that Luger was terrible at selling; and that’s if he sold at all; and Bruiser did not tolerate anyone that was disrespectful to him or who didn’t sell to him.  For an inexperienced and arrogant wrestler to tell a legend like Frank how the match was going to go was extremely disrespectful in his mind.  In December of the same year, Luger had obviously changed his tune and Frank sold for him at a match in Lakeland, Florida.  Brody lost to Lex by being counted out.  That is something most don’t talk about.

Was Bruiser Selfish & Difficult to Work With?:

https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=786&page=4&s=0

MANY wrestling fans go by rumors and do little research.  That’s why I hate going on some social media sites and articles that say Brody was a jerk and was selfish.  I looked up Brody’s matches (site seen above) during his career.  There is a pattern.  Bruiser lost only to people that were on his level.  He even lost to Brian Blair once when he was leaving a territory and no offense to Brian but does anyone think Brian could beat Brody?

Brody lost to the likes of Baba, Bruno Sammartino, Dick the Bruiser, Big John Stud, Paul Orndorff, Ted Dibiase,  & Abdullah the Butcher just to name a few.  They all have one thing in common; IT’S BELIEVABLE they could beat him.  Brody is a HUGE draw world-wide and if he’s losing all the time, you lose that big draw, especially in Japan!  How many times did Hulk Hogan lose?  Not many.  Why?  Because he had full control over his matches AND if he lost more often, it would kill his character.  Brody knew if he kept up his huge persona and didn’t lose, the fans kept coming.

Many said Frank was loved by wrestlers but hated by promoters. Jim Cornette once said that most promoters whose territories were doing good back in the day were millionaires, and they weren’t exactly givers.  In one story he told, after seeing Jerry Jarrett’s amazing mansion at a party, Memphis icon Jerry Lawler demanded more of a stake in the Memphis territory profits from him.  Cornette said, “the promoters usually took the sacks of money and threw it into the air.  What stuck to the ceiling was given to the boys and what came down was there’s.  And that was after their unique counting techniques”.

Bruiser knew what he was worth and he had the power.  Everywhere he went he packed the houses and he made a ton of money for a lot of people.  Few other wrestlers were as popular as he was or had the courage to stand up to promoters like he did.

Stan Hansen and Bruiser Brody with another Championship win

I heard a few podcasts from wrestlers that ripped on Brody for being selfish by not losing matches or selling.  Are you kidding me?  I just watched matches where Rick Rude, Blackjack Mulligan, Abdullah the Butcher, The Funks and Von Erich’s and many others were kicking the crap out of Frank.  Problem is it’s easier to take in rumors than do some research.  Time also enhances these rumors.  Funny how after ripping on Brody they all would add, “but I knew when Brody was around we made a lot more money because he was such a huge draw”.  Steve Austin often clashed with WWE about the direction of his character.  Once he just went home.  No one today says he’s selfish. Frank was just way ahead of his time.

If Brody was so nasty to deal with, why were the promoters lined up to get him to come wrestle and why were wrestlers glad that he was around?  Because he made them more money!  Also, why did he get along with other promoters like Baba, Sam Muchnick and Larry Matysik?  The reason was that they were fair and professional and they paid him properly.

The stories of Frank’s kindness haven’t exactly hit the front pages either because he didn’t promote that part of himself.  That was just who he was.  Some celebs and athletes need cameras around any time they do anything nice, but not Frank.  He loved kids and they loved him, and he was very gracious to his fans.  He supported many wrestlers and taught them the ropes.  There are stories in the Larry Matysik’s book where Frank helped out the underdog wrestler who he could help get over.  In some matches that he won, he also at times let the other wrestler beat the heck out of him to help get him over too.

He was far from an angel though.  He could nasty and bully you if you were on his bad side that is for sure.  Isn’t that attitude what most promoters have? Was he looking out for himself?  Sure he was.  I’m not naïve.  But, in reality he was so popular that if he was on top, everyone got paid.  Just like iconic names like Hogan, Flair and Andre, few wrestlers at the time could draw world wide like Frank could.

Jims Jamz:

Spring forward 2 years.  I happened to see the daughter of Mr. S at the Corte Madera, Ca Safeway.  We were both excited to see each other.  She sadly told me that her father had died recently and she was selling his house.  She saw that I was upset but she smiled and said don’t be sad at all.  “My father and our family appreciated you lighting a fire inside him.  He loved wrestling so much and he and his friends reconnected.  He watched so many matches on the internet and was so happy to regain memories that he cherished.  My children also helped so much.  His last two years were very happy.”

That night I was relieved and glad to hear Mr. S had some happy times and was out of pain.  I thought of him running to Bruiser with his wife and friends like kids as Brody entered the ring, and I laughed out loud.  Bruiser Brody was still making people smile and touching lives almost 30 years after he’s passed.  And for a new fan like me, I found out that Frank Goodish; one of the greatest wrestlers of all time; was also a great man out of the ring.    This is something that his wife Barbara and his son Geoff; along with loyal fans from around the world; have already known for a very long time. HUSS, HUSS!

“Chyna’s Last Video; In Death She Get’s The Respect She Always Deserved In Life”

Chyna’s last words on her Youtube video from Sunday was “Love Y’all and Peace.”  As is seen so many times; in death she sadly finally is getting the respect and appreciation that she always longed for in life.

Here is an update of “The Reconstruction of Chyna which will be out in 2017”

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/angra/the-reconstruction-of-chyna/posts/1511550

Yesterday when it was announced that WWE/WWF 45 year old legend Joanie “Chyna” Laurer died at her place in Redondo Beach from a possible prescription drug overdose, the collective heart of wrestling fans and present and former wrestlers was broken.  If there was ever a wrestler who fans felt so much love and sympathy for it was Chyna.

Let’s be real.  The lack of acknowledgement over the years from the WWE about Chyna’s career and not burying the hatchet was unacceptable.  I’m not stupid.  It wasn’t a coincidence that the first WWE voice that talked about her passing was Stephanie McMahon.

From doing a pedigree off of the top rope against Chris Jericho, to gorilla pressing wrestlers like Eddie Guerrero. Chyna was indeed the 9^th Wonder of the World.

Chyna’s Big Break; How the N.W.O. Played a Role:

Chyna was trained by Killer Kowalski.  Luna Vachon; another wrestling great; tells the story of this big weight lifting woman.  “Here was this girl; cute as a button with strawberry blond hair; a weightlifters body and this squeaky little girls voice and you fell in love with her in a minute.  She was so adorable with her sweet personality.  I remember at times she got screwed out of her pay and I made sure she was paid what they said.  At times I even gave her some of my pay because they took advantage of her.  She was very naive.”

In 1996 Shawn Michaels and HHH saw her at a wrestling show and loved her immediately.  Vince McMahon originally did not want her involved in WWE.  He had always liked his women to be the Barbie doll types; (still does); big chests and pretty faces.  What changed McMahon’s mind though is their Monday night wars nemesis WCW.

WCW was fresh and exciting.  They were signing many of the stars from WWE and they were always edgy and fun the way WWE used to be.  One of their angles was to sign Chyna as the only female member of the newly formed N.W.O. which was taking the wrestling world by storm.  Killer Kowalski; who trained Chyna; stated that he went to Shane McMahon and told him about the plans that WCW had for Chyna and Shane then signed her.  Chyna originally had a verbal agreement with WCW but then went against it to go to the WWE.  The rest is history.

Changed The Wrestling World:

Chyna was unlike any female wrestler before or since.  At 5’ 10” 180 pounds, she was a physical specimen.  She was a weight lifter and a gym rat and her work outs rivaled many of the male stars of the day.  She didn’t have the smooth wrestling moves of a Madusa or Wendy Richter, or the amazing wrestling prowess of the Fabulous Moolah, but she did have a physical presence that had never been seen before or since.

She originally gained fame with Degeneration X as the body guard of HHH and Shawn Michaels.  She usually just sat back with her arms crossed looking intimidating, while DX did all of their classic bad boy stuff.  She would sometimes help them cheat in matches with her famous “low blow” so that they could win and DX became a fan favorite.

Many of the male wrestlers were very leery of letting a female get the best of them in matches thinking it would hurt or ruin their careers.  In 1999 however, Chyna became the first female entrant of the Royal Rumble by being chosen #30 to enter the match.  She was eliminated by Stone Cold Steve Austin.

The Dark Side of Chyna: How She Changed:

It was obvious she would destroy the likes of Lita, Ivory and Trish Stratus (she beat Trish in 90 seconds) but this is wrestling.  Many said she refused to sell other wrestlers moves and that she became mean and seemed very insecure and troubled.

Here is the last video that Chyna ever did on April 17^th from her Youtube page.  It’s obvious she is in a bad way and possibly under the influence of something.  It’s still unclear exactly when she died but this is a sad thing to watch.

Breaking Barriers by Wrestling Men as a Singles Competitor:

No offense to any female wrestler or wrestling fan of today, but I smile wide when fans try to tell me how awesome female wrestlers of the WWE are.  With all due respect they could not carry Chyna’s gym bag.

Chyna broke away from HHH in 1999 and became a singles competitor.  She became the first woman to ever qualify for the King of the Ring series, and amazingly was the first to be the #1 contender for the men’s WWE World Championship.

Her breakout feud that launched her as a fan favorite was with Jeff Jarrett.  Her first match with Intercontinental Champion Jarrett was at Unforgiven which Chyna lost.  Jarrett’s contract was up at WWE and he was moving on so he had to give up the belt.  Chyna has said in shoot interviews that Jarrett agreed to lose to her straight up if the WWE paid him $300,000.00 dollars.  The WWE agreed and Jarrett lost to Chyna at No Mercy.  She thus became the one and only female Intercontinental Champion in WWE history!

She wrestled many men, but her most vicious feud was with Chris Jericho.  In one segment Jericho went back stage and beat up Chyna splitting her head open with a hair dryer pounding it against her head when she was down.  Jericho was great at creating heat and putting people over and it worked.  WWE fans were even more passionate about her.

Chyna did beat Chris Jericho at Survivor Series with an amazing pedigree from the top rope cementing her as a true icon of the wrestling world.  I’m not the biggest Jericho fan but I give him tons of respect when he put Chyna over.  Jericho has also said some glowing things about Chyna.  “The only woman to ever knock me down.”

Mamacita & Latino Heat: 

This is probably people’s most fondest memories of Chyna.  Very few performers were as good as Eddie Guerrero and it was a match made in heaven.  Chyna became the on screen girlfriend of the latin bad boy who used his Latino Heat charm to steal her heart.  Behind that wry smile you knew Eddie was lying, cheating and stealing but he sucked you in every time.

It also showed fans a more feminine, vulnerable and softer side of Chyna that made people love her even more.  In one of the funniest scenes I remember, Eddie was found taking a shower with 2 other women on secret video.  Chyna was engaged to Eddie and she was crushed.  Eddie tried everything to win her back but it was a puppy that finally did it.  Their connection was very fun to watch and super entertaining.

Here is Eddie in a rare shoot interview talking about Chyna saying that it was fun to work with her but that at the end it was obvious she was in pain for things that had happened.

Her Abrupt Departure:

Chyna went in depth about her painful breakup with HHH on podcasts and shoot interviews.  She said that she heard phone messages from Stephanie on Helmsley’s phone and found a love letter from her.  All the while everything was denied.  When the cat was out of the bag, she talked about the coldness and lack of remorse that Stephanie and HHH had.  “A simple sorry would have helped a lot”.  Vince McMahon told her to go home and that they would send a proposal for a new contract.  The fax came and it said she was no longer needed.  She never entered a WWE ring again.

After that she was a mess.  She lost her job, her finances went to pot and then she got into a relationship with HHH’s friend X-Pac who was chasing his own demons.  She turned to drugs and did porn movies and sometimes gave crazed interviews or Youtube videos.  She did a reality show and went on Howard Stern and the treatment people gave her was just criminal.  Instead of helping her or supporting her many used her for target practice.

Why Isn’t She in the Hall of Fame:

Here is another let’s be real moment.  The WWE Hall of Fame IS NOT a real hall of fame.  It is a made up award for people that are in good standing with WWE and who have made contributions to the company.  No offense to some of the recipients but it’s starting to be somewhat of a joke with some of the people that are in it.  Bruno Sammartino took forever to get in due to his negative comments about the company.  The rumors of Macho Man Randy Savage and Stephanie are said to be why he never got in while he was alive.  The great Rick Rude isn’t in but I’m sure he will get in fairly soon.  He is just too talented to keep out.  I’m sure him surprising WWE by showing up on television and signing with WCW on the same day he was shown on WWE television is the reason.  Scott Steiner trashes WWE any time he can so he’s never getting in.

HHH has said Chyna shouldn’t be in because he doesn’t want his kids to do a Google search on Chyna and see what she’s done.  Talk about insulting our intelligence.  Is he kidding?  Do a search on WWE wrestlers; male and female; and look at how many did porn or naked photos to make money.  How many sleazy story lines have their been in WWE; how many drug overdoses and wrestlers have been linked to drug scandals?

Vince McMahon has always wanted to do a storyline on incest.  He wanted one where he would be the father of Stephanie’s baby.  When she said no, Vince suggested Shane.  She again said no.  He once wanted an angle with Ken Shamrock doing an incest love affair with his “sister” Ryan Shamrock (who he was actually dating).  Ken said no way and magically his push ended.

http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/211209-backstage-update-vince-mcmahon-approves-incest-storyline

HHH himself cheated to get Stephanie and then lied about it.  And just try to find a wrestler over 35 who didn’t take steroids.  And while HHH and WWE is shining up their halo’s, they promoted WWE into soft porn by making huge deals with playboy for several years.  I’ve never heard ANYONE use HHH, or the McMahon’s in the same sentence that you use the word moral or ethics.

Will Chyna Get Into The HOF:

Yes; just like in anything, death erases barriers.  In my opinion in time all will be forgiven and this is now a time to save face and to look gracious.  “This went on too long and we need to forgive.”  Look for Chyna to get into the HOF and all of the people that had been blocking her getting into the HOF and trashing her in interviews will now have a chance to glowingly speak kindly of her.  It’s hard not to be cynical.

Bill Apter interviews Chyna in October of 2015:

 

Chyna really wanted to be inducted.  Three weeks ago she tweeted that she would like for one day to return to WWE so she could thank the fans that supported her so much.  “Without them I am nothing.”

Her Legacy:

NO ONE was ever as physically dominant as Chyna, but I think what people will remember most is her sweet personality during the good times.

Her friends and fans will remember her for her kindness and her good heart.  In my limited interactions with her she was a sweet fun person.  I loved her interactions with her fans.  She loved them and they adored her.

The wrestling business usually leaves few survivors.  In this sexist men’s club, she blazed trails and gained the respect and adoration of millions.  She was a beacon for many women who weren’t 100 pound blond cheerleaders to be who they were and to be the best and that you can do anything a man can do without selling out.

At worst she was a sad tale of insecure out of control pain that couldn’t find peace while leaving a trail of wreckage behind her.  I think all of us could relate to Chyna even a little bit to the times when we are/were lost and felt in pain.

At her best she was the essence of sweetness and kindness and appreciation for whatever she got, making sure a positive and kind message followed her.

Chyna’s last words on her Youtube video from Sunday was “Love Y’all and Peace.”  I think I speak for every fan, writer, announcer and wrestler in saying to Chyna that we love you too.  Thank you so much for all you did for everyone. And lastly eternal, sweet peace to you too.

“Tyler Summitt’s Affair & Resignation; How The Media & College Basketball Dropped the Ball”

Tyler & Pat Summitt After A National Championship Win

After Tyler Summitt was fired as head coach of the Louisiana Tech women’s basketball team for an affair that he had with a player, the anger and outrage in the media was epic.  Looking back though, they sure didn’t act that way when he got hired.  With rumors of a possible pregnancy also looming, there is much pain to go around.

When Summitt was hired by Athletic Director Tommy McClelland, he called the hire a home run.  The media came to Ruston in droves wanting to know more about the golden child of icon Pat Summitt.  Many praised his maturity, drive and character.  Those same people are now shredding him to bits.

I remember a few nasty comments directed at me when Tyler was hired.  I posted on social media one statement; LOL what a joke.

Mechelle Voepel of ESPN W has been very outspoken about the present situation; and rightfully so; but she sure wasn’t that outraged when he was originally hired.  Here is an interview with her and west coast writer Michelle Smith when Tyler Summitt was hired.

http://espn.go.com/espnw/video/10717147/louisiana-tech-hires-tyler-summitt

(Here is another article announcing the rebirth of LTU basketball under Tyler Summitt.  This is from last year.  ESPN W’s Lynn Olszowy wrote it in 12/2014)

http://espn.go.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/12072301/tyler-summitt-trying-turn-louisiana-tech

When Tyler Was Hired:

Let’s be real; the baby boomer’s love to spoil their kids.  With some parents it’s almost a competition.  But in reality it’s created a very self-absorbed generation who is used to their parents paving the way.

Tyler was hired because his last name was Summitt, but when he was hired, only a handful of reporters were outraged.  Name another 23 year old on the planet that is going to get a head basketball coaching job at a major college university.  Gordon Ramsey will become a vegetarian before that happens again.  Most reporters said all the politically correct things that they could.

It reminds me of the great speech that actor Ralph Fiennes gave in the movie “Quiz Show”.  Even though it was not part of the actual statement from Charles Van Doren who was implicated in the scandal, it is a telling sign of what our society at times has become.

“I’ve been acting a role, maybe all my life, of thinking that I’ve done more, accomplished more, and produced more than I have. I have had all the breaks. I have stood on the shoulders of life, and I’ve never gotten down into the dirt to build, to erect a foundation of my own. I have flown too high on borrowed wings. Everything came too easy.”

 Ralph Fiennes playing Charles Van Doren in “Quiz Show”

A Slap in the Face for Those That Deserve Jobs:

When Tyler was hired I literally was in shock.  What a slap in the face it was to all of the assistant coaches who wait years for their big break.  I’m sure many around the country shook their heads when Tyler Summitt waltzed into this job.

Below is the resume of ex associate head coach for Tennessee’s women’s basketball Kyra Elzy.  After 20 years of being in the college game she has never even been offered a head coaching spot.  Now she is finally being rumored to possibly be hired as head coach of UCF.  She’s been in the game almost as long as Tyler has been alive.

Coaching Experience

Tennessee Lady Vols

• Associate Head Coach (2015-Present)
• Assistant Coach (2012-15)

Kentucky

• Associate Head Coach (2010-12)
• Assistant Coach (2008-10)

Kansas

• Assistant Coach (2004-08)

Western Kentucky

• Assistant Coach (2002-04)

Virginia Tech

• Administrative Assistant (2001-02)

Collegiate Playing Experience

• Tennessee (1996-2001)
• 1997 & 1998 NCAA Champs
• 1998, 1999, 2000 & 2001 SEC Champs
• 1998, 1999 & 2000 SEC Tourney Champs

Elzy also has been lauded for her recruiting skills which are huge at the college level.  She’s helped keep Tennessee’s program afloat after Pat Summitt retired.  How in the world can she not get a job but 23 year old Tyler can be the head coach of the Lady Techsters?  Sheer madness.  I watched about 5 interviews back when he was hired and when they started bringing up all the notes he took and how he followed his mom, I looked as confused as Jessica Simpson at a spelling bee.  Who were they kidding?

Pat Summitt & Kyla Elzy

Our Weirdness Towards Cheating:

Cheating among college basketball coaches is not new.  LSU head coach Pokey Chatman had a bizarre situation when one of her ex players; and present assistants; threw her under the bus and said they were in a relationship.  Supposedly even after she did that, they were still close.  The details were never really discussed.  Louisville head basketball coach Rick Pitino had sex in a restaurant after hours and then paid for the woman to have an abortion so his wife wouldn’t find out.  She then tried to blackmail him into giving her millions.  Newly retired Wisconsin Men’s coach Bo Ryan’s supposed mistress is on the attack.  He mysteriously resigned.  That’s just off the top of my head.  I’m sure there are more stories.  Heck, here in California our Governor (yes we can be dumb) had a baby from one of his hired help and his wife Maria Shriver within a month of each other.

Of course we give ALL of those people a pass; but a dumb 25 year old who is in over his head is the devil.  Give me a break.

I see a lot of self-righteous grandstanding out there in the media about this story, but let’s be real.  Cheating is now a part of many peoples lifestyle.  There are sites now for married people that want to cheat anonymously with millions of people on it.  Celeb’s & athletes cheat all the time but hey they are famous so it’s all good to some.  Over half of American married people have cheated.  We are lauding a great NBA basketball player right now who is retiring and his sexual escapades are of legend.  Glass houses.

Many US presidents had someone on the side, and only God knows about the Senate and the House.  It’s as wrong as could be but we’ve created this mess.  Having morals is uncool to some, especially the younger you are.  If you want a hit  tv show nowadays you need 3 things; Sexy people, sex, and violence.  The Waltons’ isn’t playing anymore.  In fact the worse a character is the more we like them.  From Breaking Bad to Tony Soprano; we eat it up like it’s got the antidote.

The Deeper Pain:

Forget about sports for a minute.  Again, there have been rumors that the girl Tyler had an affair with is pregnant.  I’m not going to say her name or get into the details but I feel beyond sad for Tylers wife.  To realize that the whole world knows about your husband cheating is pretty rough.  Add the fact that they may financially and emotionally now have to take care of a kid that he may have fathered because he cheated, and this is a bad dream for this girl.  The immature comments of one of the girls on the team who was first suspected to be the person he cheated with; along with players parents getting more & more into the drama while talking to the media; leads to even more pain.  And don’t get me started on all the fools that have unprotected sex.  If that was the case for Tyler and this girl, then you can’t get any dumber.

I feel bad for Tennessee fans. They love Pat Summitt like UCLA loves John Wooden.  Tyler was the golden boy and fans already had hopes that he would someday coach the Lady Volunteers.  I also feel bad for Louisiana Tech fans.  They’ve had some lean years and this will set them back again emotionally.  The pain of this disgrace happening to a once proud program has hurt a lot of people.  Recruit signings have been put on hold.

I don’t feel bad for the administration and AD Tommy McClelland of Louisiana Tech though.  What a stupid hire.  If I was in charge heads would straight up roll.  LTU needs to clean house and start anew in my opinion.

And of course we all ache for Pat Summitt.  Inflicted at a relatively young age with an insidious condition that many are saying is hard to watch progress.  The pain that she must feel after she spent so many years creating a program based on toughness, discipline, and character is hard to think about.  She deserved better than this.  I’m sure Tyler feels terrible for the pain his selfish act is causing to the one person that always put light into his eyes.

My Hopes for Tyler:

If I was Tyler’s friend I would say that your resignation was weak.  I’d do another pressor or even a Youtube video turning off the comments section; and tell him to be much more contrite.  I’d also tell him to go back to the drawing board.  I would take a year off and then go to a Division 2 or 3 school and start over.  I would make accountability my goal.  I also would get out of the woman’s game and coach men.  In reality it’s going to be awful hard for him to ever get this opportunity again but it will be a chance for him to get his life back together.  Financially he’s set for life.  He was the sole heir and Pat chose the option for her pension that gives Tyler 14,000 a month for the rest of his life.  He also got her cars and her house that was put up for sale.

http://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/college/ut/2016/08/25/pat-summitts-leaves-personal-property-tyler-summitt/89317990/

He screwed up big time.  If an ordinary person cheats it’s bad enough.  If a son of an icon cheats the pitch forks and torches will follow and it’s out in the open for all to see.  Like most sons he adores his mom, and now he’s brought a shame that has stained their name.  My hopes are that he humbly takes time to take responsibility and mature in a way he hasn’t yet.  He needs to man up and fix this.  And maybe someday; after he has paid his dues; he will stand on his own two feet and no longer fly on borrowed wings.

“Ken Stabler Leading Teammates in CTE Fight Even After His Passing; Should Kids Play Football?”

 

Ken Stabler Being Helped off the Field During Game

Friday it was released that several former Oakland Raiders had agreed to have their brains studied upon their death.  They did this through the encouragement of Ken’s longtime partner, Kim Ross-Bush.  They wanted to follow him in helping to further the study of CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) in the hopes of helping future players.  Still today, Ken still is the leader of the dynasty that was the 1970’s Oakland Raiders.

The Stabler Family Tells Their Story:

Kim Ross-Bush, the partner of Ken Stabler for over 16 years; tells the story of how Ken deteriorated over time.  His daughter Marissa also talks about the changes in her father.  ESPN’s Outside the Lines is a great show and I really enjoyed the piece it did a while back on Ken and his struggles with CTE.

You are already seeing players starting to retire at earlier ages in fear of the long term damage football may have on them.

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/14703416/outside-lines-nfl-great-ken-stabler-diagnosed-cte-death

Eliminate Tackling in Practice:

In a groundbreaking move, the Ivy League coaches voted to eliminate tackling in practices.  Instead they use tackling dummies, bags, and even use tackling robots.  Coaches from around the country are limiting contact in College football.  What’s interesting is the Ivy league now says their tackling techniques are much better and more fundamentally sound and the list of injuries have dropped dramatically.

http://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2016-03-04/college-football-ivy-league-limits-tackling-football-practices

My Experience With CTE:

I remember in 2009 being asked to do a house call to check up on a patient who was really struggling with his sleep equipment and his quality of sleep.  I immediately remembered the name.  I’m a huge history guy and I did a check and found out it was the former NFL player that I thought it was.

When I walked into their house his wife was as kind as could be.  She offered me a piece of cake and coffee and I loved it.  Her husband was a little shocked I knew so much about him and it obviously made him feel good.  When I left his wife walked me out.  At the door she gave me a bottle of wine and was near tears.  “Thank you so much; you made him smile and that hasn’t happened much.  Please come visit again soon”.  I told her I would be by next week.

A week later I showed up and it was like a light turned off.  He sat in a somewhat dark room looking out a window; something he did for hours sometimes.  He was rude, irritable and he couldn’t remember a thing we discussed.  I laughed at the start because I thought he was teasing me but he wasn’t.  He talked about his headaches and his sleep being so intermittent that he would be exhausted all the time.  It was hinted he knew he was damaged and he didn’t want to know the truth.  CTE was barely known publicly in 2009.

His wife explained this was their life.  A tornado of emotions with little joy and hope at times.  I tried calling them once but their number had changed & was unlisted, so I never heard from them again and found out they moved. Even today the picture of him sitting in a darkened room alone can bring me to tears.

Owners Still Don’t Get It:

Jerry Jones was quoted last week that he was not convinced there was a link between CTE and concussions.  I’m sure many owners have their doubts especially when it may cost them money to take care of the problem.  Jerry Jones needs to read research and stop acting like a fool.  Another “my opinion is greater than facts” guy.  Money doesn’t make you smart.  It’s the same callousness the NFL showed during the 2009 concussion hearings at Congress.

In the 2014 settlement against the NFL, in a rare action, the Judge was so appalled at the NFL’s offer that he overturned it.  The NFL said to trust their math.  Most of what the NFL has done, they were made to do.

What Has the NFL Done to Help With CTE’s:

Many say I’m too hard on the NFL.  They bring up the 88 plan championed by CTE legend Gay Culverhouse, former President of Tampa Bay.  It’s true; it gives $130,000 a year to players that qualify but read the fine print because I did; the one disorder it DOESN’T cover?  CTE.

The Alumni Association is also working with corporations to set up retirement places catered to NFL players.  In the medical field the dirty secret is that many feel this is going to be a huge money maker in the future with so many NFL players having to deal with brain issues.  Soccer players are now having issues with CTE.  Brandi Chastain has agreed to donate her brain as well.

The owners have given money for research and also changed the rules protecting players more.  It has changed the game drastically allowing for huge numbers by quarterbacks and wide receivers but it had to be done.

The NFL also has adopted a much stricter concussion protocol but it’s already seen failures.  Rams QB Case Keenum hit his head on the turf against Baltimore last year and staggered off the field.  After talking to the trainer, he was shockingly let back in the game to finish it.  Afterwards he was diagnosed with a concussion.  NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to his credit admitted they made a mistake.  Damage done though.

I remember watching film of the 1976 Raiders year in review.  In week 9 the Raiders played at Chicago.  The astroturf there was like cement especially when it was cold.  Ken Stabler got a concussion and wobbled off the field.  Eventually he came back into the game leading the Raiders to victory.  You wonder how many times since he was a kid did that happen to Ken.

Breakthrough in CTE Testing?

The problem with CTE is that you can’t diagnose it while the player is alive.  When UCLA lead researcher Dr. Julian Bailes said they had a test that could diagnose CTE in living people, many questioned his findings.  The problem with anything in medicine is greed.  If this is true, they stand to make millions.  Some say that within 3-5 years it will be able to be done. The controversy continues but when they can test players, it can give them a better option into getting out of the game or staying in it.

Should Kid’s Play Football:

One of the key factors with CTE is the duration you take hits.  Usually the longer you play, the worse it is.  Ken Stabler; like many NFL athletes; played as a kid.  You have to limit the length, and the severity of the damage.  Some think teaching good fundamental tackling is the answer but it’s not.  When you hit the ground or get hit; good tackle or not; your head is going to jar.  Its’ like having a minor car accident several times a day.

I think that kids should not play organized tackle football until they are 13 years old.  I also believe that at the most, teams need to have only 1 contact day of practice per week; or 90 minutes.

The State of Texas that brought you “Friday Night Lights” and built a 60 million dollar stadium in the city of Allen, is surprisingly the leader in protecting players.  In 2013, the University Interscholastic League in Texas; the group that makes the rules for high school football; voted to limit contact in practices to 90 minutes a week.  Some said this would ruin Texas football but it hasn’t changed their dominance in any way.

Between 2005 and 2014, 92 high school football players died.  Some by direct contact, and others by things associated with football.  What’s shocking though is that almost ALL states have NO medical regulations mandating high school football teams to have ANY trained medical staff on the field at any time.  Some parents have sued school districts for having their kids lying on a field waiting long periods of time for qualified people to help their kids.  That HAS to change.  They don’t have to have an ambulance on staff, or a doctor or EMT’s or professional trainers.  Epic fail.  This has to change.

I remember in football crazy Napa, California where I grew up, (who ESPN voted had the #2 high school stadium in the country 6 years ago) they always had an ambulance in one of the end zones at Memorial Stadium and EMT professionals at the games.  It helped save one of my friends who actually broke his neck during a game.  He wasn’t paralyzed but he fractured his neck and the quality care on the field saved him.  I hope they still have that same support there now.

Final Thoughts:

The sad part is, we need to have a sure way of diagnosing players while they are alive, and we need to know how better to protect them.  Even if helmets evolved, the jarring of the brain from the hits and hitting the ground are still going to cause damage so it’s a difficult thing to fix.

What also is scary, is that ALS; or Lou Gehrigs disease has also been linked to long term head trauma seen in sports like football.  University of Alabama player Kevin Turner just passed away at the age of 46; of ALS.  He played 8 years in the NFL.

CTE is the scary ghost hiding in the closet that players and their families fear.  Fans and the media need to get involved.  Some didn’t support the cheerleaders fight to get minimum wage.  Many fans didn’t support referees wanting better training and to be full time employees.  The NFL said both were too expensive.  Add the lack of support to retired players by some as well.  In my mind it’s disrespecting the game and those that are associated with it by not respecting everyone that was in it.

All fans and media people associated with the NFL who really care about this wonderful game and the people in it need to act.  Some in the NFL media won’t because they feel backlash from their networks.  We need the NFL to know the lack of support is unacceptable.  The 88 plan needs to include CTE.  Support research and retired players rights.  Show compassion and kindness instead of saying, “well if they don’t want to die early then don’t play”.  The players gave their all; now we need to give ours.

The NFL has shown they will NOT do the right thing unless they are made to.  It’s time that fans now become the voices of the voiceless.  Ken Stabler and all of the players that suffered in silence; along with their families that experienced it; deserve our support.  No more Dave Duerson stories.  A man that texted family to let them know he wanted his brain studied after he shot himself in the chest.  He didn’t want others to go through the torment he did.  No more retired players holding their heads in pain or looking out windows in darkened rooms wondering in sadness what was happening to them.  We can’t expect the NFL to do the right thing to these fathers, son’s, grandfathers and brothers, if we don’t.  The NFL has shown it will listen but we have to speak.

“How Reggie McKenzie Turned Around the Oakland Raiders & What Lies Ahead”

Patience: 

The capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.

 

The last 2 weeks I read 14 articles from 2015 on Oakland Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie.  They were from professional writers to homer Raider bloggers to ESPN and NFL.com.  Only ONE said keep Reggie McKenzie as a GM.  Oh how the seasons have changed.

The Ron Wolf Effect:

When most fans and many writers wanted Reggie McKenzie fired, I said to give him time.  I ripped on his poor moves as well but I also trust success.  The reason I said don’t fire Reggie was NOT because of Reggie McKenzie.  It was because of Ron Wolf.  Ron Wolf taught and mentored Reggie when he was at Green Bay.

When I wrote an article on the greatest Raider of all time, ¾ of the fans that read it didn’t even know who Ron Wolf was.  I remember my dad raving about him when I was a kid and beyond.  Wolf was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame along with Tim Brown.  Wolf continues to be excited about McKenzie as a GM.

“Ron Wolf enters the Hall of Fame With Tim Brown; Wolf, The Greatest Raider of Them All”

You’ll Be Sitting With Them:

On a frigid day right before Christmas in 1967, Philadelphia Eagles head coach Joe Kuharich was asked about the angry boo’s in the stands after a tough loss.  “I pay little attention to the 60,000 assistants in the stands each Sunday.  If you listen to the fans, eventually you’ll be sitting with them”.

Reggie didn’t listen to fans and the media when they ripped him and he’s not listening to them now when they are praising him.  If you read your own press clippings you’ll start to believe them.  He smartly always limited his interaction with everyone just like Ron Wolf did.  Something most coaches and athletes should do more.

The Changing Atmosphere Surrounding Him:

We all do it; we are emotional about something and then we write or post something on social media that we later regret.  Either it was too harsh or nasty.  We didn’t really feel that way but it was just a knee jerk reaction out of disappointment or anger.

It’s funny to see many of the “strongest” we’ll say detractors of Reggie McKenzie now turning the other way.  People wonder why most “experts”, “insiders”, mock draft gurus, NFL draft gurus, (and many fans and social media masters for that matter); rarely talk about their past predictions unless it’s the ones they got right.  It’s because they don’t want the accountability and they are often wrong.  You hear them on radio talk shows, online, and social media.  They are often wrong but never in doubt.  Again, it’s ok to be wrong sometimes but if you are wrong most of the time; then use your inside voice.

I say this because many of his early detractors forgot that Reggie McKenzie had to fix a train wreck and he’s done pretty well so far.  I said it years ago when McKenzie was hired and fans were telling me how good the Raiders were.  No they were wrong; this wasn’t a good team for a long time.  No,they didn’t have a lot of talent.  No, giving these draft picks time was not going to make them good. The Raiders were a mess and I said this would be a 4-5 year process; that’s how bad this organization was and I think the Raiders are right on schedule.

The Al Davis Effect; Reggie Fixes the Mess: 

The teams of the 1970’s especially were loaded.  In the greatest era of the NFL, the players didn’t make much money.  Many had outside ventures.  The teams could spend as much money as they wanted and many teams had backups that could start for other teams.  Running a team was easier.

With a financial mess, Reggie McKenzie had a very difficult job.  In the new era of the NFL, there is the salary cap, partially guaranteed contracts and some players are making a lot of money.  Reggie McKenzie had to fix the bad situation the Raiders were in and rebuild.  You then have to fight the media and the fans that have no patience.  In today’s internet age, patience is waiting for lunch time when it’s 10 a.m. in the morning.

Mr. Davis was overpaying underachieving players, and he drafted very poorly.  Al Davis became obsessed with NFL combine numbers and size; especially 40 times; and it destroyed the Raiders.  Their list of bad draft picks; ESPECIALLY most of their Defensive Back Picks with the fast 40 times; are of legend.  When you don’t watch game films and pass up on the Calvin Johnsons’, Adrian Peterson’s and Aaron Rodgers, you are failing.

McKenzie was not in denial though.  He didn’t have Al Davis’ new mentality.  Mr. Davis was in denial like some of the fans were every year; “we are really good and we just need 1-2 key players.”  In reality for a long time the Raiders were NOT really good and they needed to rebuild.  It was like building a house but denying you have a bad foundation.  You were constantly adding floors or making over a room to make it look better when in reality it didn’t change a thing.  Reggie McKenzie got that you have to destroy the foundation and build a new one.  Let’s look at how he has done that in Oakland.

Reggie McKenzie’s Draft History:

Just like his signings, overall his drafts have improved with time.  The DJ Hayden pick made no sense especially when DT Star Lotulelei had fallen in their lap.  Hayden was another athlete playing football.  Some of the “experts” had Hayden as the best CB in the draft.  I watched Houston play a few times and was shocked.  What were they watching?  To see Lotulelei starting for the Carolina Panthers in the Super Bowl was painful.  McKenzie improved with time though and he’s picked up their QB and other key members along the way.

The 2014 draft was the start of the rejuvenating of the Raiders.  Five of the draft choices ended up being starters who mostly excelled.  Last year’s draft shows a lot of promise as well.  It’s a far cry from where the Raiders were in his first 2 years and it’s the core of their success.

Reggie’s Signings:

Some fans are now going the other way making McKenzie out to be a genius but as I always say, let’s deal with the facts.  The bad signings McKenzie has made are in abundance.  Matt Schaub, Matt Flynn, LaMarr Woodley, Curtis Lofton, Nate Allen, Shawntae Spencer, Andre Hardy, Antonio Smith, Tarell Brown, Maurice Jones-Drew, Roy Helu Jr., Carlos Rogers, Pat Lee, Mike Brisiel, Kevin Boothe, Ron Bartell, Colin Miller, and Dave Tollefson were just some of the epic fails the Raiders had in free agency.

Even with a couple of good pick-ups, his first 2 years of free agency was a nightmare for Reggie McKenzie.  Fast forwarding to 2014 the Raiders had an ok free agent class with more misses than hits.  The big miss was Lamar Woodley who much was expected of.  Donald Penn though was a key contributor with this class.

In 2015 the Raiders overall did a good job in free agency.  Dan Williams and Rodney Hudson were great additions and Lee Smith was a bulldozer as a run blocking tight end that also caught some passes.  Malcolm Smith had his first year as a starter go fairly well.  He tailed off late in the year especially against the run.

On the bad side, Roy Helu Jr. was never used properly and was a waste of a signing.  Curtis Lofton struggled mightily against the pass and Trent Richardson didn’t last long.  A lot was given to Nate Allen but he struggled tackling all year; and that was when he wasn’t injured.

The 2016 free agent class is already a very good one and there still are signings that are ahead.  This has already been the Raiders best free agent signing period; at least on paper; that they have had since Reggie was hired.  The longer Reggie has the job, the better he gets.

How Reggie McKenzie Grew Into a Good GM:

McKenzie is humble; and as a good leader you take the blame and admit your mistakes.  Many in sports; and life for that matter; don’t do that.  When you admit a mistake you can fix it.  His signing of players which are salary cap friendly and dropping them if they don’t work out is often greatly overlooked.

A huge mistake Reggie fixed was that in the early part of his career he would wait way too long to sign players.  He would say they weren’t going to be hasty in their signings but sometimes the Raiders got stuck with slim pickings in free agency because they were just too slow to sign players.

He also improved his draft.  After talking to Ron Wolf, he went back to getting football players.  The defensive line has always been the second most important part of your team behind a QB and they’ve spent lots of money and energy into the DL.  The Quarterback must go down, and go down hard was Ron Wolf & Al Davis’ motto.

What’s Next For Reggie and the Raiders:

As Reggie said last month, there is still much work for the Raiders to do and they haven’t won anything yet.  The Raiders don’t have the DL or the pass rush to win at a high level in the NFL yet, but the off season is still young.  Bruce Irvin has 14 sacks in the last 3 years and Mario Edwards is not a great pass rusher; and that’s if he comes back at all.  Aldon Smith is out for most of the year too.  It doesn’t matter who your DB’s are if you don’t have a pass rush.  I now have trust that McKenzie will not be in denial and the draft will yield another quality DL.  I would love to see either AShawn Robinson or Shaq Lawson drafted in the first round.  Mock drafts are all over the place so as always, they don’t know what players the teams are going to draft and neither do we.  If you get either one of these players, now you have something special.  Both have great work ethics and are hard workers.

The Raiders also need a safety and other bits and pieces.  They are not done in free agency yet and the NFL draft is also ahead.  The salary cap limits how good you can be; that’s the design; to create parity.  So the drafts are a key to success.

Overall though as time passes, Reggie McKenzie has improved every year he has been a GM.  Reggie McKenzie is definitely old school and as long as he doesn’t change and he keeps being humble and open minded, he will be fine.  Not everything works out so admitting mistakes and learning from them are huge keys to his success.  The nightmare of 13 straight non-winning seasons may finally be over and success seems to now be a probability and not just a hope.

 

 

 

 

“Oakland Raiders First 2 Signings Bigger Than People Think; Meet the Players”

 

As fans, it’s hard to not get excited every year about your team.  Every fan base is the same.  Baseball has made it an art form.

For anyone that has followed and read me on my return the last year and a half, they know I’m obsessed with facts and being honest.  Facts are always greater than opinions.  I have the following I have because people trust me and I work hard for them; I want people to know the inside stuff, not the fluff.  I don’t have an editor or corporation telling me what I can and can’t say so I’m unique; I’m straight up.  So If I think a team did something good, I really believe it.  The Raiders did something good; twice.

For Raider fans the last 13 years have been very difficult.  Even with bad teams, the fan base has been very excited every year; but in reality they should be excited by all that is happening before this upcoming season.

With the start of free agency, the Raiders have signed their first two players.  Let’s look at why these signings were extra special.

Kelechi Osemele (OL from Baltimore):

This signing solidifies the Raiders offensive line.  The OL was good last year but it should really shine this year with the signing of Kelechi Osemele.

Osemele is an old school Raider type and he’s only 26.  He’s huge at 6’ 5” 330 lbs. and he’s extremely physical.  In the back end of the zone blocking era, he’s an old school power run blocker, and a very physical pass blocker.  He also brings a great amount of versatility which will help.  He’s played both tackle and guard equally well which helps with depth and flexibility which is important during the salary cap era.  He earned a Super Bowl ring being a starter on a very good Baltimore Ravens offensive line his rookie year.

Derek Carr is a good quarterback but he is no where near the same quarterback when he’s under a pass rush.  The better the protection, the more successful he is.  It wasn’t a coincidence that he struggled at times during the second half of the season while the Raiders sacks against totals increased.

He was 31st in 4th quarter passer rating and last in interceptions in the 4th quarter.  These stats can be helped with this signing.  People liked to blame the OL totally but some of this wasn’t on them though; the Raiders didn’t adjust to teams playing two deep zone and taking away the long pass; but in reality the better you protect Derek Carr, the more offensive success the Raiders will have.  This signing is a very big one and I’m sure Carr and the Raiders are very excited.

Linebacker Bruce Irvin with Orlando Super Fan Camden Ayres

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25143820/look-bruce-irvin-meets-seahawks-fans-in-florida-makes-one-kids-day

Bruce Irvin (LB from Seattle):

Bruce Irvin is one of those players whose importance is not seen in the stat sheets, but in the way he plays.  This is an underrated signing but for much different reasons than people think.  He’s played a key role in Seattle’s defense and they will have problems replacing him.

If you feel the Raiders are now going to rival the best pass rushes in the NFL then you really don’t get this signing.  In Irvin’s rookie year, he got 8 sacks with 16 tackles and many thought he’d be a huge pass rusher.  He has leveled out his pass rush stats the last 3 years getting 14 of them.  Last year he had 5.5 sacks and 38 tackles.  Not eye popping numbers but solid.

What Irvin DOES bring to the table for the Raiders is something that has been lacking in their defense for a long time.  As I stated in my preview of last year, the Raiders signings were good but the problem was that many of the defensive players were one dimensional.

Curtis Lofton at LB was a good tackler and good against the run, but he struggles covering the pass.  If teams passed on first down, Lofton was exposed.   Malcolm Smith is a good cover guy at LB but not that great against the run.  Dan Williams shored up the run defense but he’s not a pass rusher in any way.

What Irvin gives the Raiders is versatility and an ability to play all 4 downs.  He can rush the passer or play the run at DE, and he can stop the run and cover at LB.  He gives them a flexibility to move him around like he did at Seattle which helped their defense a lot.  His ability to play all downs was very important to their success.  The Seattle DL was very good and it helped to have a versatile player like Irvin that teams could not scheme against because they moved him around so much.  I hope the Raiders do the same with Irvin because he is a good talent in the prime of his career at 28.

Final Thoughts:

Free agency is always a crazy time.  Fans forget that there are 31 other teams that want these players, and many times it’s the signing of lesser known players that makes the team much better.  You can’t pick and choose who you want, and 90% of the rumors being thrown about are mostly wrong.  It’s fun to talk about though but in reality many of the things bantered about don’t come true.

The game has changed; DB’s just can’t cover players for long periods of time with the new rules protecting WR so a stud DL and pass rush isn’t a need anymore, it’s a must have.  In the early parts of free agency though, already the Raiders went far into shoring up their team for next year.  There is still a lot of work to do, but this is a great start.

“Ken Stabler & the HOF; Raiders Stadium Issue: Jim Jax Interview w/ESPN 97.7 The Zone”

 

Here is my interview on 2/8/16 with the great Radio host Drew DeArmond of ESPN 97.7 The Zone.

We are discussing the induction of Ken Stabler into the NFL HOF as well as the Raiders stadium situation and their future home.

 

 

“Oakland Raiders and NFL Revenues: The Staggering Truth”

Last week we first looked at possible stadium venues in Oakland that were realistically being looked at.

“Raiders Stadium Sites Update; Video: How to Morph Levi’s & A Future NFL Stadium”

We also looked at realistic ways to pay for these stadiums.   The outpouring of positive comments and support for these ideas was amazing with thousands seeing that this could actually be done in a responsible manner. I really appreciate my smart readers.

“How to Finance a New Oakland Raiders Stadium”

Raider Fans Awaken:

First off, Mark Davis is the owner of the Raiders and that isn’t changing. He’s not going to sell and can’t be forced to sell unless he does something illegal. No petition will change that.

Let’s face it; social media has changed everything. Many people refuse to look at actions or facts exchanging them for biased opinions and conjecture. I guess I’m not smart enough to do that because I just go by what I see.   And what I see shocks me.

First off I would love to have a beer and a burger with Mark Davis.   He has that dorky fun type of thing going on. He doesn’t seem like a bad guy.   The reality of the matter though is that as an owner, he’s in way over his head. How many of you in your first 6 decades of life never held a job. Now you own a billion dollar business.

His actions have shown a lot about the Raiders situation. It’s almost as if the City of Oakland is like a guy that has this girlfriend. She’s not hot; been beaten up by life a bit; is kind and loyal as all get out but he now sees there are physically hotter women out there. He spends time and money on Inglewood and San Antonio (Raiders gave 50k to help spend for a city wide questionnaire in 2014 on how much their fans would want the Raiders) but all the while he tells his girlfriend Oakland that he’s not cheating and really wants her. He explains that he loves her and he’s not even looking for better options; he’s just using these as leverage to make sure the City of Oakland is serious in making a commitment. Everyone who believes that is as naive as an 18 year old girl at her first fraternity party.

Most Raider fans are angry and they are getting an education in NFL 101. I love football but that doesn’t mean I love how the NFL treats people. Look at how the NFL treats the refs; they said they can’t afford them to be full time even though bad calls are almost the norm now. The cheerleaders have to sue the NFL just to get minimum wage.   Retired players are treated like old race horses that are no longer needed. And fans are money signs where emotions and loyalty mean little.

Yet some fans are sensitive about their love of football and they will deny facts and defend every move the NFL makes until their dying day even though the NFL doesn’t care about anyone else but their profits.   Reminds me of some that blindly defend political parties. You can love a sport but still be honest about it.

Mark Davis acts like Oakland isn’t even on his radar at times.   You hope that he wakes up and puts the same effort into Oakland that he has into other cities.

How Do NFL Teams Make Money?:

The NFL is now the richest professional league in the world.   The NFL has 3 types of revenue.   National Revenue or Revenue Sharing; which has television revenue, national ad revenue and general ticket sales along with other miscellaneous items. This adds up to about 61% of NFL teams revenues.

The second form of revenue; which is NOT shared by the teams; is Territorial Revenue. This is money made anywhere near the radius of the teams home city. It could be in the form of in person or online merchandise sales, local television, radio and tv ad revenues, naming rights to the stadium and other things. This is also a large chunk of the teams revenue. This includes PSL’s.  Below is a list of the PSL revenues. Dont’ kill the messenger.

http://www.mprnews.org/story/2012/11/15/sports/nfl-personal-seat-licenses-compared

The third which is also not shared; and a far third at that; is ticket revenue. Why do you think teams are so obsessed with getting new stadiums? Well this is why. Teams share general ticket sales but KEEP all revenues made by luxury suites, club seat ticket sales, parking and any type of luxury boxes. While fans gave a salute for New England Patriot owner Robert Kraft for not charging a PSL (personal seat licenses) to the fans on his stadium, they forgot to add that he tore down 1500 end zone seats (which is revenue that is shared among NFL teams) and put in a huge luxury/club suite area. He pockets millions without sharing.

I went on the Dallas Cowboys web site and asked for suite information.   I counted 116 luxury suites alone in Dallas’ AT&T stadium and that doesn’t count club seats. Some of these suites are $30,000.00 per game and ALL of this money is NON revenue sharing and goes straight into Jerry Jones pocket.

Let’s also not forgot PSL’s. It’s literally free money. It’s like what Costco does and teams make so much money off of it you can’t count it.

Once PSL’s are paid for it’s predicted that the 49ers will make between $310-400 million just on PSL’s. The most expensive PSL in Dallas will cost you $150,000.00 PER TICKET and they expect between $625-675 million in PSL revenue once they are paid for.

Oakland Raider Revenue:

The NFL has always been extremely secretive about their profits.   They’ve lied a lot about them in the past before the internet. The number for the Raiders or any team is really a guess. Forbes gives the best estimate. As many have stated, the Raiders are worth $1.4 billion dollars and that the Davis’ family is worth $500 million. Again, San Diego and Oakland do not have businesses so they are considered the poor teams in the NFL. While most of the owners are worth billions, the Davis’ and Spanos’ families only have their NFL teams. Now dry your eyes; somehow these guys will make it financially.

Oakland Raiders Revenue History

Last year Forbes stated that the Raiders made $285 million dollars gross. They made $40 million in ticket sales and paid out $158 million in player salaries. Their operating costs were the lowest in the NFL but again, the Raiders would not disclose the number. In contrast the Dallas Cowboys made a staggering $680 million. The operating costs were #1 as well but no one knows the exact number. The Cowboys are worth 4 billion dollars and are considered the #2 most valuable sports franchise in the world only behind Spain’s soccer empire, Real Madrid.

I read 5 financial online publications and 7 sports publications and got 12 different financial numbers and ideas on NFL revenues. On average most believe the profits for the lower teams like the Raiders are between $25-40 million net profit per year and that doesn’t include the appreciation of the teams which is in the millions. It is believed that this is the first year in NFL history that they made over $14 billion dollars in one year.

Roger Goodell has stated that his goal is for the NFL to make 25 in 25; $25 BILLION per year by the year 2025. They still dream of expanding to London in the next two decades.  The NFL would be considered the 140^th richest COUNTRY in the world right now. They could finance several trips to space and buy several countries. That’s scary power.

Green Bay Packers; The Key To Knowing the Profit:

Remember that before the internet, the NFL lied so much about revenues that it was a running joke in the financial community.  NFL teams still don’t have to disclose financials but the Green Bay Packers are owned by the public so they are the only team that actually has to state their revenues but again, that’s shared revenues only. If you add up their share with the rest of the league, the NFL made $7.2 Billion in money that was shared by the teams. Again, this doesn’t include territorial money.

In the past decade or so the Packers have spent $320 million in upgrades to their stadium and surrounding area. They have built stores to sell Packer gear online and in house and have made a bundle. They also have renovated the stadium and they are building a “Titletown” area which will have shops and other ways to show off the tradition of Green Bay and to give a museum and fan experience to their faithful. They now are in the process of also upgrading their club and luxury suites. Green Bay is a classic Midwest team and is obsessed with giving their fans the utmost they can while turning a huge profit.

In the past 3 years, the Packers revenue has gone up from $300 million to $375 million. Their net profit last year was $39.4 million. Even with putting over $300 million into renovations and upgrades, the Packers have said financially they’ve never been stronger.

Final Thoughts:

The extreme greed of the NFL is unsurpassed and isn’t going to change.   Billionaires want one thing; more billions. Anyone thinking differently has never owned a business. I worked for a fortune 500 company that was the biggest money making medical company in the U.S. To them though it still wasn’t enough. They were caught in a insurance scandal and my CEO was arrested by the Department of Justice and it was reported on national television.

What does this all mean? It means that owners are not loyal to cities or to fans; they are loyal to what will make them money. I’m glad that fans are getting it. You can still love your teams and cheer for players but also realize this isn’t family; its business. In my opinion, if Mark Davis wanted to they could figure out a stadium in Oakland. Apple is making over $200 billion a year and this is chump change to many tech companies.   Just like the 49ers, there isn’t a door I would not knock on.  I hope he learned from the mistakes of his father Al Davis. You can only go back home so many times before no one is there waiting for you at the door.

“How to Finance a New Oakland Raiders Stadium”

A Past Rendition of a New Oakland Raiders Stadium

Please sign this petition to get Cliff Branch into the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/276/842/889/induct-oakland-raider-wr-cliff-branch-into-the-nfl-hall-of-fame/?taf_id=14680187&cid=twitter

Yesterday we looked at the Oakland Stadium situation for the A’s and the Raiders and explored the various venues that may work for a new facility.   Today we will look at how to pay for it.

“Raiders Stadium Sites Update; Video: How to Morph Levi’s & A Future NFL Stadium”

The Truth About Using Tax Payers Money:

Economists have overwhelmingly found that spending public money on stadiums has little economic benefit for the city and rarely creates the jobs and prosperity that the backers promise. This recently was seen in St. Louis with the Rams. The City of St Louis still owes $129 million to pay for the abandoned football stadium now that the Ram’s are leaving. The city of Oakland still owes $100 million from the Al Davis upgrades when the Raiders moved back. The numbers don’t lie. Using tax payer money would be very irresponsible. Some cities selling their souls for teams have done 30 year tax loans. Insanity. New stadiums may help keep the team in the city but the teams are the financial winners in the end.

The First Thing Mark Davis Should Do:

If I were Mark Davis I would hold a press conference immediately. I’d say, “Whatever has happened in the past or with the NFL vote is water under the bridge. I will do anything and everything that I personally can to build a permanent stadium in Oakland for the Raiders. My goal is not to hurt the A’s or the tax payers of Oakland in any way but I want a football only stadium to compete. It’s up to Libby Schaaf, the City of Oakland and my search team to get the funding that is needed.  I have hired Carmen Policy and Disney CEO Bob Iger to help with this process.   If the unfortunate happens and things don’t work out and we have to move, I want it be known that I did everything physically and financially possible to make this work”.

Leadership. That is what is needed. If Davis would do these things, I see a stadium being built no problem. Carmen Policy has MEGA stroke in the bay area.   He is personal friends with many local and state politicians and corporations through out the bay area including Silicon Valley. His winery and his past dealings when he was with the 49ers have made him powerful in the bay area. Disney also obviously has a lot of pull anywhere. Hire anyone affiliated with the Giants/Jets situation or the 49ers new stadium. Anyone that knows what to do and how to get it done.  Now let’s look at the nuts and bolts of the situation.

Ways to Get Revenue For A New Stadium:

1. Corporate Money:

What the Raiders need for a stadium is lunch money to Technology companies. If you can’t get a sponsor out of Silicon Valley while having the clout of the NFL behind you then you flat out didn’t try or ask. This is the adult world and they are not going to come to you. The 49ers did a great job of doing this and in the end they had their pick of sponsors without using tax money. Knock on doors, wheel and deal. Hello Carmen Policy. If I was Mark Davis there isn’t a door I wouldn’t knock on or hand that I would not shake.

2. Sell Part Ownership:

Mark Davis is a nice guy but he’s in over his head. Why can’t Mark Davis go to the CEO of Disney Bob Iger or any big wig rich guy and sell off 5-10% of the team. With the money from a new stadium and appreciation Davis will have more money in the end than he could ever imagine. Davis is still the managing general partner and he has more shares than anyone.

3. Live Streaming:

THINK GLOBALLY. Some of you older fans may say huh? at some of these ideas but its time to think outside the box into tomorrow.

A total of 61% of all revenue is shared by the teams. What ISN’T shared is what the NFL calls territorial revenue.   Any local tv, advertising, merchandise, or other revenue that is created within the teams local radius is totally kept by the team. Last year alone Green Bay made $151 million in Territorial Revenue, $34.9 million in their new local club houses alone; that included online and in person sales.

If I were the Raiders I would approach You Tube and/or Google or Direct TV and create a live stream with the local television affiliate. During the stream you can advertise, sell items or do whatever you want. I would even make a separate app that can be used on all tablets and phones.

When Yahoo did live streams on a few of the NFL games last year, the NFL was shocked at the numbers. In one of the games they had an average of 10-20 million viewers watching the stream every minute. You can taste the advertising money. Now that pales in comparison to television viewers, but you are now thinking globally because many of the people that would watch the games are not in the U.S.   I actually researched the geographical breakdown and the fact is for one game on Yahoo at times 33% of the viewers were NOT in America. Even though we forget it sometimes, the world doesn’t revolve around the U.S. and there are a whole lot of new fresh faces to market to.

You are now entering into a huge untapped revenue source and your popularity can only grow.   ESPN has done it for their college games without announcers. I’ve actually streamed it sometimes and it’s great.   It’s starting small but growing in popularity. Streaming is the future and the present. Concerts are live streamed all the time, so why not NFL locally?

I would do marketing campaigns with local Hispanic, Indian, Chinese and other cultural based channels and advertise the live streaming and the merchandise. I would make the Raiders a world wide brand and market the Oakland Raider nation as a global entity.   When it grows I would then do pre and post game shows in various languages (with advertising) on various foreign channels or stream them. People would drink it up like it’s got the antidote. No one has done this but the Raiders have a large following all over the world. If you can’t make money this way, then you just aren’t trying.

Why do you think dozens of countries are at WWE Wrestlemania and even TNA is now getting into India. GLOBAL MONEY.   Wrestling has been marketing globally long before WWE.  WCCW in Dallas had viewers all over the world they marketed to. I would also begin creating a social media like Twitter or Facebook JUST for Raider fans through out the world.

4. Guaranteed Tax bonds:

Guaranteed corporate tax bonds are done all the time in the U.S.. The City of Oakland would be responsible for this.   Go to Kaiser Health or another company and ask for a $300 million tax bond so you pay in time. Kaiser has so much money now that they are going to build a college. Health insurances are making hand over fist with the cuts to providers so this is doable.   In the end you can possibly even make a little money after paying it back.

5. Uber

In smaller ways you can make a deal with Uber. Have a Raider fan app that will be exclusive for games giving Raider fans discounts on fairs in exchange for advertising money and cash.

6.  Sell Office Space:

Another effective way to make money is to sell office space. If you walk in the back of the San Francisco Giants A T & T park, it is filled with medical offices. Oakland has tons of medical offices that would love to upgrade to new office space. This is year round revenue.

7. Developer Rights and Part Ownership:

This is one that is a favorite of the City of Oakland and they’ve talked about it with Mark Davis and I don’t like it. First of all Mark Davis is obsessed with having a huge area for parking for tailgating. That is great but parking is not a year round revenue source. With BART, parking would be less of a need and would take up valuable land that could give the City and possibly the team year round revenue with stores and other businesses. With a new stadium you could make picnic areas outside the stadium for pre-game partying. Mark Davis also wants complete control of the land.

The City wants to offer a developer cheap land and part ownership in exchange for $300 million; that’s the short fall that is needed to build a new stadium right now. If this was San Francisco or the South Bay near Silicon Valley this is a no brainer that any developer would want. In Oakland, not so much. The City is also offering a 9 acre parcel of land as well. This seems to be a popular hope but in reality I like the previous ideas a thousand times better and I’m not thrilled that this is a good idea.

 

Final Thoughts:

Above are just ideas off the top of my head. Smart people can figure it out if they drop their ego’s at the door.   Too many people trying to be right instead of doing right. Of course they aren’t as cut and dry as I’m putting it but they also aren’t as complicated. Problem is you have ego’s, hurt feelings and insecurity with people in these deals and that’s where things go wrong. Where there is a will there is a way.

The City of Oakland needs to get off their butt and act. It’s also time for Mark Davis to prove people wrong and show the NFL that he is a real NFL owner. Will he hire people to work hard like he did for Carson or will he just have his hand out looking for corporate money from tax payers in cash strapped Oakland while pleading victim.

Do you think for a second that Stan Kroenke created his sports empire by just sitting by waiting for others to give things to him? Do you Think Al Davis would kick a can and say aw shucks, you fix it?

What is needed is confident and competent leadership. We will see if either side has these abilities.  I hope that Mark Davis and Libby Schaaf put in the work and make it happen. Schaaf has to show business and political savvy and Davis needs to stop telling Oakland that he wants to stay and start showing it. The Raider fans have been through enough; Make it happen. There’s lots to do.

 

“Raiders Stadium Sites Update; Video: How to Morph Levi’s & A Future NFL Stadium”

Laney College Site For Oakland Raiders Stadium

Where Are They Now In the Process:

Has their ever been a fan base that has gone through more stress than Oakland Fans?  All those years of loyalty and now the Warriors are going.  Are the Raiders staying; are the A’s staying; no fan base is more beat up.  I hope for their sake that things get worked out for the A’s and Raiders.  Oakland is a special place and they deserve much more than they are getting.

Fans and writers now get it.  It would be nice if Mark Davis would now hire Carmen Policy and Disney CEO Bob Iger to help with a stadium in Oakland but don’t count on it.  He’s going to do nothing and make the City of Oakland figure it out.  If he put the same amount of effort, time and money into Oakland that he did into Carson then this could be worked out much faster, but it is what it is.  In his defense the City of Oakland has had 2 bad mayors before Libby Schaaf and that didn’t help either but his words and his actions have never been the same.

The reality is it’s up to the City of Oakland and Mayor Schaaf to get this done.  Remember in the back of your mind, even though the Raiders are important, the A’s make more money for the city.

What is The City Of Oakland’s Present Strategy:

I think many writers and fans are not getting what needs to happen.  Every one is trying to find a new place for a Raiders stadium but in reality if EITHER the A’s or the Raiders move, then both teams stay in Oakland because the O.co is now free.  The strategy for Oakland is to move the A’s soon because they will be easier to move.  The A’s want a 34-39,000 seat stadium.  Here is a rendition of the Cisco Stadium plan that eventually was knocked down.  It would have been a 35,000 seat stadium in Fremont, CA.

Cisco Field

Cisco Field Business Plaza with Picnic and Dual Scoreboard

If you move the Raiders over the A’s, you need more land for the stadium and parking.  It will still cost the City if the A’s move but for a stadium with less fans, it’s cheaper.   If the A’s move, then you now have an empty arena with no team in Oracle, and you have an old stadium that can be torn down.  When the Warriors leave you now can use the Oracle area for a shopping or business complex, extra parking or whatever you want.

This keeps both teams in Oakland and you have two great stadiums.  Cal Berkeley has said in the past they are open to sharing their newly upgraded stadium for the rental revenue it would provide.  God help those in traffic but that is for another day.

Who May Be The Raiders Savior & How the A’s Can Help Them:

Below we will discuss why the the majority owner of the A’s is so important.  Don’t think for a second that major league owners aren’t sick of the A’s making money every year and doing nothing to bring in more revenue.  Lew Wolf is cheaper than a celebrity at dinner time and the other owners are sick of it and they want a new stadium in Oakland.  Of course the owners don’t have the plums to tell the Giants to get bent on the territorial rights that the A’s gave them in the first place to save them, but that’s again for another time.

Remember that since 2000, the A’s are ONLY 1 of three teams in MLB that has made money every year.  The A’s make between $35-45 million per year due to the profit sharing in MLB.  If it were up to Wolf, he’d keep cashing checks and do nothing but that isn’t popular anymore among MLB owners.

When you ask fans who owns the A’s, everyone says Lew Wolf.  Well not exactly.  Wolf owns approximately 20% of the A’s.  He IS the managing general partner though and he’s been allowed to make the business decisions and speak as the owner.  The MAJORITY owner is John Fisher the son of the Gap Founder.  (man does every owner have family money?).  He owns 80% of the A’s but he’s never really wanted to be involved in the day to day business until now.  Get this; the A’s ownership is the 5th richest ownership in MLB.  Johnson is younger, more personable and more reasonable than the volatile Wolf & he can help the Raiders.

Wolf and Johnson brought the San Jose Earthquakes back into the professional soccer world in 2008.  They built Avaya stadium in San Jose using no tax money which is a fans dream.  No one thought they could do it.  I think Johnson would have great idea’s for a new park for the A’s, shoring up the Coliseum for the Raiders.  It’s like watching a game in a theater and it officially has the largest outdoor bar in the U.S.  It has standing room only and a huge drink rail near the bar.  It also has field level club suites that are behind the benches.  It’s a beautiful place.  At the opening of Avaya, Johnson; who rarely speaks anywhere; told the media it’s now time to bring an A’s stadium in Oakland.  Here is beautiful Avaya Stadium.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiU5JQu2uGQ

Future NFL Stadium:

I don’t know why it hasn’t been thought of more but this is what construction experts see as the future NFL stadium which can be used for the City as well as the team.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERvARKwPtiU

Proposed Sites For a New Oakland Stadium: 

Howard Terminal:

Howard Terminal Oakland A’s, Raiders Stadium

This is the sexy pick for many to bring the Raiders here but again, the city would rather try and move the A’s first because it’s easier.  I think if the A’s balked at the idea, then the Raiders could fit well here too.

Let’s be real.  Lew Wolf does NOT want to move; Johnson does though.  He wants to move and MLB wants that too.  Even though Wolf is a charitable person to the community he is very hard headed, abrasive and a close minded man in business.  It’s part of the reason the Fremont deal fell through.  The 49ers president Jed York kissed many a butt and greased many palms to get Levi’s stadium.  That’s how you deal with politicians and business people.  It’s what you have to do.

Howard Terminal was first brought up in the mid 2000’s.  The City of Oakland loved the idea; Lew Wolf hated it and he nixed it saying in anger, “I may as well move to Treasure Island.  This is a terrible spot”.  When recently asked about the area again, Wolf said he had no comment and he was in the middle of research and it was ridiculous to ask him that question right now.  What a softy.  The land is owned by the Port of Oakland so the City is in control there.

In contrast, A’s owner Johnson has told the media HE LOVES the area and they would love to build a stadium there.  It is literally right across the water from AT&T Park in San Francisco.  Just like the 49ers @ Levi’s, the Raiders would also have to get State approval but that shouldn’t be a problem.

The cons of the stadium is that it will create a traffic nightmare but let’s be real; new studies show that we have the worst traffic in the country now if you add SF and San Jose, so there isn’t a good place.  The biggest negative though is no BART trains.  BART is hugely popular at the O.co and having it is a must.  The City would have to rezone some areas and put in train tracks and a close by station.  Oakland has said it’s doable.  This is a very promising site.  Libby Schaaf stated last week she is already working on rezoning with the stadium area put in.  If Lew Wolf would say yes; or better yet John Fisher or Mark Davis; then this could start immediately and the Raider stadium at the Coliseum could begin as well.

Golden Gate Fields:

This was first proposed in 1980 when the race track was struggling and the Raiders wanted to move.  Some are bringing this site up again but it’s a very congested area for traffic and there are just too many hills to climb.  Not happening.

Laney College in Oakland: 

Another area that is being talked about for the A’s or the Raiders is the Laney College plan close to Lake Merritt.  In the early 2000’s, the A’s and the City Planning Commission held meetings on a new stadium.  The meetings had so many A’s fans going that they had to put the fans in adjacent rooms to hold them all.  The meetings were very charged.

A’s fan Larry Jackson kept bugging the city with a plan to build on Laney College.  Eventually the City Manager Robert Bobb ran with the idea.  The city endorsed it as long as the A’s would foot some of the bill.  The A’s LITERALLY never responded.  A secondary plan was also submitted at the north side of downtown Oakland by the 19th Street Bart Station.  The A’s then made Lew Wolf the lone voice talking to the City and he finally began to listen.

Laney College Oakland Raiders Stadium Plan

Who nixed those plans was then mayor and future California Governor Jerry Brown who was a political enemy of Bobb.  Brown was angry at the A’s for talking to the City of Sacramento about moving without telling the City of Oakland which many said Brown never forgave the A’s for.  Brown said it was an act of betrayal and that the A’s were not negotiating in good faith. Brown sabotaged both plans saying they would not work and he would not support them.  Laney College by Lake Merritt is still a feasible possibility.  The City of Oakland also has said they would want a small parcel of the land still to be given to them but that is very doable.  There would also have to be money set aside extra for ample parking but that is also very doable.  Lew Wolf and Jerry Brown were very negative about this almost 20 years ago.  Both have moved on.  This is a maybe with a capital M.

Laney College Plan for Raiders Stadium

Levi’s Stadium: 

The NFL has ALWAYS LOVED this idea; and still does.  When the 49ers and the NFL talked about it at the beginning, Al Davis bristled and said no way.  Mark Davis has said the same thing but he’s been a little more silent of late about it.  Before they started building Jed York said on local radio that they would entertain thoughts of the Raiders playing in Santa Clara.  The 49ers were open to it from the beginning but now that they are making boatloads of cash, the 49ers are more lukewarm about it.  With concert money, sporting events, wrestling, conventions and other forms of year round revenue (oh and that thing called the Super Bowl), Levi’s is a cash cow and they are printing money.  The NFL said again at the latest meetings that this is what they prefer for the Raiders.  They also have seed money that was given to them by the NFL to “morph” Levi’s so the Raiders could use it.  This is very doable.  The video below shows how the Raiders and 49ers could share the stadium and how it would morph between teams.  This is the how they do it video for the Jet’s and the Giant’s.  (I apologize for the annoying lady).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRBbvSxXvmI

O.co Stadium:

I still call it the Coliseum.  This is the ideal place for the Raiders and if one of the Oakland teams move, the other will call O.co home.  If the Raiders move to let’s say Howard Terminal, than Lew Wolf is happy and the A’s can call it home.  Both teams love the easy freeway access, close proximity to airports, and BART is at the doorstep.  It’s an amazing spot for a stadium.

Frank Youell Field in Downtown Oakland 1962 (Laney College is There Now)

In the end the saga will be the same as the vote.  You will hear many rumors; some smart; some so out there you wish you could drug test.  But in reality; just like with the NFL vote; use common sense and use your head when following this stuff.  Most people are very emotional and biased in their thinking.  They either support teams or cities or owners but in reality these decisions have NOTHING to do with the heart.  Think like a business person and you will get more of a feel on what’s going on.  And as ALWAYS; follow the money.