Lakers and Dodgers Success Leaves This Fan Cold

June in Los Angeles and two of the hometown teams are at the top of their game. The Dodgers have the best record in baseball and the Lakers are in the NBA Finals for the second year in a row. So why is my mood as dark as the fog that lingers outside my window? Why am I am not giddy with the anticipation of a another championship for a city that hasn't won one since 2002? Is it because I no longer feel a part of the teams I grew up with? I think that's the answer. Now I have to find out why.

When the Lakers moved from the Inglewood Forum to the cavernous Staples Center in 1999, they alienated a large portion of their fan base in the process. The Forum had no luxury boxes, nothing to divide the upper class from the middle, and plenty of affordable seats for the average fan. The Staples Center has not one, but THREE levels of luxury suites. Below them are seats that only the wealthy can afford, and above them are seats not worth sitting in at any price. They are so far away from the action-be it a game or a concert-that I wouldn't sit there even if I had a free ticket! That's exactly what happened on October 17, 1999 when I saw Bruce Springsteen perform at the grand opening of the Staples Center. I was given a ticket in the upper level and after the first song I snuck down to the floor level. It was either that or go home. I know its a cliche but one really needs a telescope and an oxygen mask when sitting in the third level at Staples Center.

Bruce Springsteen apparently feels the same way about the place. On opening night he implored the people to come out of their luxury boxes and join the party. He later called the building a "barn" which is an understatement. A real barn has more atmosphere than the sterile Staples Center. Maybe that's why Springsteen has never returned, preferring the modest Sports Arena when he comes to town. Staples reminds me of ancient Rome. If you have a ticket in the upper stratosphere you have to take an escalator which passes the luxury boxes. You can see fancy buffets with carved beef and turkey, and sumptuous dessert carts being wheeled to the wealthy. But you can only watch, since the escalator doesn't even stop at that level! Talk about separating the rich from the poor.

I have another problem with the Lakers. For as long as I can remember their games have been broadcast on AM570, a powerful station and home to the late, great Chick Hearn among others. This past December the Lakers announced they are moving their games to AM710, the local ESPN affiliate. Just like the switch to the Staples Center, this one is all about the money. Forget about the wall-to-wall coverage of the team currently heard on AM570, forget about the decades of tradition. Next season the team will be competing with USC football on a station that also carries national broadcasts. Jeanie Buss-daughter of Lakers owner Jerry-had no problem in throwing AM570 under the bus even though she used to be a regular on their Laker shows. Of course this is coming from a woman who actually believes her dog has conversations with animal psychics.

As for the Dodgers, they have always been my #1 team since I went to my first game at Chavez Ravine in 1966. Since then I have been to countless sporting events all over the country. There's one thing that separates Dodger Stadium from all the others: NO TAILGATING ! For many years the security turned a blind eye to those enjoying a discreet beer in the parking lot. Now they are writing tickets and telling people to leave their cars the minute they pull into a parking space. Like I said I have been to hundreds of concerts and games and NEVER have I been told that I could not sit in my car for as long as I wanted. Hell, for $15, I should be allowed to sleep there!

This is all because of Frank McCourt, the former parking-lot proprietor from Boston who bought The Dodgers in 2004. Since then he has done everything possible to alienate the average fan. Besides raising prices on everything from tickets to parking to concessions, he's also done his best to separate the wealthy from everyone else. The Field Level has been remodeled with new bathrooms and fancy wine bars. Same with the second tier and the dreaded luxury boxes. Above them is the reserved level where nothing has changed since McCourt bought the club. Of course, those sitting in the reserved level are not allowed below.

Outside the ballpark his obsession with parking involves "funneling" many lanes of cars into one or two, so his goons can exercise as much control over the fans as possible. Last month I saw the "Parking Nazis" issuing some sort of tickets to a couple guys drinking beer in plastic cups. Which made me wonder how come a team with the reputation of the Oakland Raiders can allow full-blown tailgating while the Dodgers are busting people for a single brewski? Either the Dodgers have the most violent fans in sports or Frank McCourt is a control freak who has taken the fun out of going to a game. I believe its the latter.

If the Lakers and Dodgers go all the way, I hope the rich people stick around for the celebrations. After all, that's who the teams are really playing for this season.