Chiefs Owners Get Sacked by Voters

Good morning. This is the Opening Drive, the weekly newsletter that brings you the best of the NFL so you’re always the smartest one at the water cooler.

The Bills send WR Diggs packing, Rashee Rice was driving the Lambo in Dallas crash, the NFL Network cleaned house, and we've got a deep dive on NFL season ticket prices and Personal Seat Licenses.

Let’s dive in.

QUICK HITS

• Bills WR Stefon Diggs traded to Texans for 2025 second-round pick (Fox Sports)

• Carson Wentz signs one year, $3.25 million deal with Kansas City Chiefs (Yahoo Sports)

• Ravens re-sign outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy to a two-year deal (SB Nation)

• 49ers sign QB Josh Dobbs to one-year deal (NFL.com)

• Giants TE Darren Waller still hasn't 'made a decision yet' on playing in 2024 (NFL.com)

• Bills reportedly refused trade offers from Chiefs when dealing WR Diggs (CBS Sports)

• Kyle Dugger agrees to four-year deal with Patriots (PFT)

• Panthers DE Derrick Brown agrees to four-year, $96 million extension (Fox Sports)

• Bills season ticket holders learn about Personal Seat Licenses the hard way (PFT)

• Chiefs' Rashee Rice was driving Lamborghini in chain-reaction crash (Fox Sports)

• Melissa Stark, Andrew Siciliano among NFL Network's latest staff cuts (USA Today)

• Dallas mayor wants Chiefs to relocate to Dallas after Kansas City votes against stadium funding (Daily Snark)

• Former NFL cornerback Vontae Davis, 35, found dead at Florida mansion (NBC)

• New Terry McDonough lawsuit makes strong allegations against Michael Bidwill (PFT)

WHO’S UP? WHO’S DOWN?

Who’s up?
The Buffalo Bills. In a bold move, the Buffalo Bills have parted ways with star wide receiver Stefon Diggs, trading him to the Houston Texans in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick. This deal rids the Bills of a player who had become a disruptive force in the locker room. Diggs' talent was undeniable, with six consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and four straight Pro Bowl selections. However, his passive-aggressive behavior and refusal to defend the team had worn thin in Buffalo. From insulting comments about Josh Allen to his brother Trevon's public criticism of the franchise, Diggs' actions were a distraction. The final straw came when Diggs seemed to take a shot at Allen's abilities on social media, questioning whether a "top-tier receiver" is essential for a franchise quarterback's success. This was the latest in a string of incidents that tested the Bills' patience. While absorbing a massive $31 million dead cap hit, the Bills recognized the need to rid themselves of Diggs' toxic presence. His production had dwindled in the latter half of last season, and his mistakes in the playoffs proved costly. By parting ways with Diggs, the Bills have shown a commitment to fostering a positive team culture. They are no longer tolerating a player who was more likely to jab co-workers in public than defend them. This move illustrates the Bills' motivation to move on from a pivotal figure who helped transform them into contenders but had become a disruptive force. With Diggs gone, the Bills can focus on building a cohesive unit without the distractions he brought.

Who’s down?
The Kansas City Chiefs. In a stunning rebuke, Jackson County voters overwhelmingly rejected the Kansas City Chiefs money grab for new publicly-funded stadium renovations. The ballot measure failed by a lopsided 58-42 margin, leaving the team’s future in limbo after their lease at the Truman Sports Complex expires in 2031. Despite the Chiefs' recent Super Bowl success, residents saw through the billionaire owner’s empty threats of relocation. Chiefs president Mark Donovan arrogantly stated they would do "what is in the best interest" of the team, hinting they may pursue greener pastures if not showered with corporate welfare. This tone-deaf posturing did not sit well with fans who have poured their hearts into supporting the franchise for decades. The team’s lack of transparency and shifting stadium plans also raised red flags. Voters wisely refused to be fleeced by ownership more interested in boosting revenues than serving their loyal fanbase. With public subsidies increasingly being rejected nationwide, the Chiefs must now explore more equitable private funding models. Holding teams hostage with relocation threats is an underhanded tactic that residents admirably did not fall for. If the owners truly want to extend their "longstanding partnership" with the community, they would be wise to listen to the voters' decisive message.

NUMBERS YOU SHOULD KNOW
A deep dive on NFL season tickets

For die-hard NFL fans, securing season tickets is the ultimate prize - guaranteeing a front-row seat to every heart-pounding home game. However, the cost of this coveted experience has soared over the years, pricing out many loyal supporters. A major culprit behind the ballooning prices? The introduction of personal seat licenses (PSLs) in the late 20th century. PSLs require fans to pay a one-time fee, often thousands of dollars, just for the right to purchase season tickets. This additional expense has created a significant financial barrier. The PSL concept originated in the late 1980s as a way for teams to finance new stadium construction by offloading costs onto fans. One of the earliest adopters were the Carolina Panthers, who used a "Charter Seat Rights" program in the 1990s. Since then, PSLs have become widespread, with over half of NFL teams now utilizing them. The impact has been staggering. For example, the most expensive PSLs for the Dallas Cowboys can reach $150,000 per seat. Even lower-tier options routinely cost $5,000-10,000. This pricing has priced out many middle and working-class fans from attending games live. As PSL costs continue escalating, concerns grow about preserving the raucous gameday atmosphere that die-hards provide. Teams risk alienating their most passionate supporters by making the live experience unaffordable for all but the wealthy elite. For the NFL's soul, reining in runaway ticket fees may prove essential.

Did you know?

🏈 The average cost of an NFL season ticket for the 2022 season was $1,024, an increase of 8.1% from 2021 according to Team Marketing Report.
🏈 The Las Vegas Raiders had the most expensive average season ticket price in 2022 at $4,012 for their new Allegiant Stadium.
🏈 The Cleveland Browns had the lowest average season ticket price in 2022 at just $344 according to SeatGeek data.
🏈 Personal Seat Licenses (PSLs), which grant fans the rights to purchase season tickets, can cost tens of thousands of dollars upfront. For example, PSLs for the Las Vegas Raiders ranged from $20,000 to $85,000 per seat.

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