The NFL needs LA

I recently read on espn.com that former Lakers legend Magic Johnson wants the NFL to bring a franchise to Los Angeles. This is a great idea, and even though the NFL has succeeded in becoming America's most popular sport, to bring professional football to LA would make the sport that much better.

Once upon a time there were two NFL franchises in LA--the Rams and Raiders. Both teams bolted for other cities in 1995. The Rams moved to St. Louis, and the Raiders moved back to their former home in Oakland, Calif.

Since that time the closest LA has had to professional football are the USC Trojans. It's time for the NFL to return to Tinsel Town.

The Lakers have been amazing for LA since the NFL left as they have won five NBA championships since the Rams and Raiders left. This is the difficulty that arises: Immediate success is a must. People in LA have other things to do, so an unsuccessful professional franchise will not garner much support. The LA Dodgers are the prime example. I went to two games in LA during the summer, and the stands were only two-thirds of the way filled up in both games. The Dodgers are not a very good team. Flip it around to the Lakers. You can't buy seats to Laker games. You have to purchase the tickets through people who already have tickets.

If an NFL team makes the move to LA it is important to have immediate success. Having Magic Johnson as the owner will make that possible. He helped build the Laker teams who won championships during the last 10 years.