SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA – Readers are responding to my gripe that the NFL’s decision to move Monday Night’s Dolphins/Chargers Game to Phoenix.

Zal in San Diego writes:

The TV contract with ABC states that all diligence must be made to play the contracted game on a monday night, if at all possible.
while i certainly would have preferred to just drive to LA for the game, the NFL owners are stuck with an internal agreement not to play in LA due to litigation (i.e. al davis), nor to play there as the two venues are negotiating with the NFL for adding a team to their stadium(s).
i’m not sure if the rose bowl or the coliseum could be ready to host a game on one day’s notice, but all NFL venues have a clause in the contract with their local stadium authorities covering just this sort of thing, and as we both know, the NFL behemoth (tags being the ass-end of the beast) doesn’t give anything away that it can keep for itsself…
have a good time on your road trip, i’d be making the trip myself, but i’m a little busy right now. i personally know 17 people (at this time) who’ve lost their homes, and perhaps 100’s that are now evacuated. my little house is quite full…

Go Bolts!

Tony in SoCal writes:

I would normally agree with you that California needs the money from sporting events such as Monday Night Football, but in this case, I would have to agree with the City of San Diego and the NFL that moving the game to Tempe, AZ is the smart move for a couple of reasons.

As an employee for a public utilities company here in Southern California, I have had to work while ash was raining down on me and the sky was orange and breathing was more difficult to do during work than normal. My job is not as physically challenging as professional football, so even with the good shape many of those players are in, I can’t imagine them being able to handle the dirt and dust in their faces and, more importantly, in their lungs while trying to play the game.

Also, moving the game to LA would leave the players with the same problems as if they had played in San Diego. The stadiums you mentioned are at the most 20 miles from the fires and the players would still face ash and breathing problems. Tempe is at least a closer, and therefore better choice than Oakland or the other places they were thinking of holding the game. At least some fans could still make the trip to the game now.

Love your informative website. just thought I’d give you my opinion.
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You readers are right…I’m just bitter! Thanks for your comments. Because the NFL is giving anyone free tickets to the game tonight on a first come, first serve basis AND because the roads are screwed…we’re going to watch the game locally. There is an Official Miami Dolphins Bar in Los Angeles. For those of you who would like to join me, Cytherea, Dago Bomber, Pam of SMP, Jimmy, Johnny Buss and scattered others, we’ll be at:

Break Shot Billiard Club
11970 Venice Blvd
Los Angeles CA 90066

Click here for a map. For more info call (310) 391-3435. Expect us to be there early so we get a good seat. Charger fans welcome…don’t wear your colors! Hah!