Re: Alamodome problems
> > How is the Alamo Dome not up to NFL standards? I don't
> think
> > the place is that old. (I believe WWE held their "Royal
> > Rumble" pay-per-view there in early 1997.)
>
> It has to do with luxury suites and training facilities for
> the team. The price tag is estimated to be around $200
> million.
>
> Link: MySanAntonio.com
>
The Alamodome opened in 1993, the Spurs moved in from the old HemisFair Arena that same year. The specific purpose for the Alamodome was for San Antonio to lure a NFL team, and I believe that S.A. was in the running for one of the two expansion teams that eventually went to Charlotte and Jacksonville. Seeing as now the Alamodome isn't up to current NFL standards, a renovation would be in order to lure a team there permanently.
> > Also, if the games do get played in San Antonio, will the
> > blackout rule apply to games locally on FOX 29, CBS 5 and
> > ABC 12?
>
> I hope not. IIRC, the NFL lifted the blackout rule for the
> Bears when they played in Champaign while Soldier Field was
> being rebuilt. It would go into effect if the Saints moved
> there permanently, however.
>
If a new San Antonio team comes about, you would have consider the Austin market as part of the blackout zone as well, seeing as that San Antonio and Austin are 60 miles apart, and the blackout zone is a 75 mile-radius of the home stadium. The same thing applies in Los Angeles for Chargers games, if the Bolts don't sell out in San Diego, not only San Diego gets blacked out, but L.A. does too, because the signals of the L.A. stations are still within a 75 mile reach of Qualcommn Stadium. The same scenario applies for the Sacramento market in regards to 49ers and Raiders games.