(10-10-2021 09:50 AM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  

(10-10-2021 01:53 AM)ClairtonPanther Wrote:  USC has so many natural advantages over the competition nationwide its truly amazing. California HSs produce the third highest amount of talent that plays on Sundays. The talent in that state is phenomenal. The weather in southern Cali alone is attractive for those from out of state. Cali isn't ridiculously humid like the south east is. Now look at the potential impact of NIL, California is the third largest economy in the world. California is one of two states that can stand alone as independent countries and thrive, but that's for another board. USC's tradition and branding is as rich as any other school in the country. USC is literally a coach away from being what Alabama is today. If they fail to do so in the coming 5-10 years; it's on them, not the PAC 12.

They don't have as many natural advantages as you think. The state of California is drastically changing, and for sure the inner-city Los Angeles is not what it used to be 30-40 years ago. Their stadium (Memorial Stadium) is an old dinosaur, although they probably could play their games at the new SoFi Stadium if they want an upgrade there. And even the LA weather isn't what it used to be. It's turning more into a desert-like climate (think Palm Springs), but with a ton of smog built in. You pretty much have to be on the coast to get the idyllic Southern California weather.

If you disagree with me, then how do you explain the Southern California population decline? People are moving to Colorado, Montana and Texas in droves.

Really? From 2010 to 2020, the California population increased from 37.2 million to 39.5 million, a 6.1% increase. The LA Coliseum just recently completed a $315 million renovation and the place looks like new inside. The Coliseum will host the 2028 Summer Olympics. It is getting hotter all throughout the western part of the United States, but that is not year round. That is the summer months. Today where I live in the Inland Empire (Riverside area) we will have a high temperature of 72 and a low 46. Santa Monica will have a high temp of 69 and a low of 52.

The inner city is much improved. The subway system and light rail sysytem has really helped. By 2027, the purple subway extension will run all the way to UCLA. Downtown LA is much better than it used to be. Smog is a lot better than when I first moved out here in 1979, yet it is still a problem and it will always be a problem. Southern California has these unique overhead inversions that trap pollutants that rise from the ground below. The only hope for the region is to limit the pollutants that pour into the atmosphere, so that is why the enviromental laws here are so strict.

The high cost of housing is the single biggest problem that California has and that is the primary reason people leave. LA real estate is very expensive and there is not enough land to build new housing. There is home building going on all over the Inland Empire, but new homes start at about $500,000. That is somewhat expensive. Plus, we need more affordable rentals.

California is the 5th largest economy in the world. No reason to believe that is going to change. The Port of Los Angeles is the largest port in North America. The agriculture industry is the largest in the country. Technology, finance, health care, education. California will be just fine in the future.