Dickerson: L.A. fans are mediocre
Sporting News Radio /
Posted: 2 days ago
It's been a decade since Los Angeles has had an National Football League team.
Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson doesn't think that's such a bad thing.
On Wednesday, the former Los Angeles Rams star told James Brown on Sporting News Radio that he doesn't think Los Angeles fans are overly excited to have an NFL franchise.
Here are excerpts from the interview:
Dickerson on whether Los Angeles would support an NFL team: "I don't think L.A. would really support a team if they don't win. The prime example is when the Lakers were losing and didn't have Shaq, hardly anyone went to the games. L.A. is a city all about winning. You have to win to have support there. We actually played in Anaheim when I was there and we didn't get much support and we won.
"We were 9-7, 10-6, 11-5. L.A. is all about winners. One thing about having an expansion team is they're not going to win right away. I think everyone will come out the first couple of weeks to check it out, to see what it is like for all the hoopla and to be seen, but after that, if they go 4-12 or 1-15, you aren't going to have any fans out there."
Dickerson on if Los Angeles wants a NFL team: "You hear about it. Some say they want it, some say they don't. I think a team would work outside of L.A., in the Inland Empire or in Ontario, because that area is really growing. It's a couple of million people and there's not much going on in that area.
"In the city of Los Angeles, right in the metroplex of L.A., I don't really think it would work, unless they're winners. They have to come out winning. The thing about L.A. is, you have to win or you won't get the support. In L.A., it's all about support and making money. If you don't have the fans at the game, you can't make the money."
Dickerson on the lack of support the Los Angeles Rams received from fans: "Very mediocre (support). The only time we'd sell out is when we played the Cowboys, the 49ers and sometimes the Giants. Most of the time, the fans were from the other team. We were very disappointed because we had playoff games at home. We played the Giants at home and it was almost blacked out.
"Somebody had to come in and buy all the tickets. Times have changed, but I don't think they have changed that much. If a team comes here in the beginning, I think you'll have support because of all the accolades and the hoop-la, that's just how Los Angeles is. If they're not winning, I really don't think it will work. Honestly, I really don't think people really care. That's just my opinion.
"I think they really want to see football, but I really don't think they're overly excited to have football back because there are so many other things to do."
The James Brown Show airs weekdays 10 a.m.-12 p.m. ET on Sporting News Radio.
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