| 10. One And Done ›› |
Let’s be honest – there’s no such thing as a mutual break-up. In the end, someone is always left hurt. In many ways, a sports franchise leaving town is the equivalent of a relationship ending. Feelings are hurt; regretful words are yelled; years of rooting for men you’ve never met in ninth innings and fourth quarters suddenly all seems for naught.
With recent poor attendance (an ominous sign), the city of Jacksonville seems headed for a spilt with its NFL franchise, the Jaguars. The Bills could leave its long-time home of Buffalo for its mysterious, international mistress just north of the border, Toronto. And most recently, the Coyotes have realized their plans to retire to Arizona with their tanned Phoenix may not work out, but for now they will be forced to smile for at least one more season in the desert.
From Baltimore to Cleveland to Milwaukee to Seattle, the map is littered with tombstones of where professional franchises once existed. And whether it’s the jilted fans, the lonely city or the team itself, there is always someone left behind to pick up the pieces of a fractured relationship, wondering how to move on, and what to do with that Colts hat, after their favorite team quite literally left them alone on a cold winter’s night.
| 10. One And Done ›› |