Football Sources: Rams and Chargers relocation agreement could be reached Tuesday - Page 23

Eleazar · 01-11-2016, 07:00 PM

NFL consensus builds for a Rams-Chargers stadium project in Inglewood

On the brink of a vote that could return the NFL to Los Angeles, a consensus is building within the league for the St. Louis Rams and San Diego Chargers to share a stadium in Inglewood.

Multiple league officials and owners not involved with the Inglewood project, or the competing proposal in Carson, say there is momentum to pair the two franchises in what one owner describes as a "transformational" project backed by the Rams.

The Chargers and Oakland Raiders want to build a stadium in Carson, and to this point, Chargers owner Dean Spanos has stood by his partnership with Raiders owner Mark Davis.

The league insiders, who spoke on the condition they not be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter, say Spanos doesn't want to be seen as turning his back on a partner. This makes the path to what is emerging as the preferred pairing more difficult. But the insiders believe the matter can be resolved during the special meeting that starts Tuesday in Houston, where owners hope to find an answer to the two-decade L.A. vacancy.

One influential owner whose preference has not been apparent in public or private, touted Inglewood over Carson, saying "the deals aren't even close."

In the past week, there has been a flurry of behind-the-scenes activity among owners and NFL staff in an attempt to clear the way for a decision to be made at these meetings.

It is extremely rare for the NFL to devote a full day to a single topic, much less two days in the middle of the playoffs. It underscores how determined the NFL owners and Commissioner Roger Goodell are to reach an accord that would bring professional football back to the country's second-largest market.

It is widely thought that the L.A decision will help define the legacy of Goodell, and shape the financial future for a league that generates $10 billion in annual revenue.

All three teams want to relocate to L.A. for the 2016 season, meaning time is of the essence to move their franchises and begin selling tickets.

Although the general meetings start Tuesday, the Los Angeles committee is convening Monday.

There's a sense that most owners want the Chargers and Rams in Inglewood, but aren't sure of the best way to make it happen. The idea of the Raiders returning to L.A. is not popular among many owners.

One owner said that the NFL has to realize that "we just can't solve all three stadium problems in one fell swoop."

It would mean striking a bargain that keeps the Raiders out of L.A. but doesn't leave them empty handed. Such a maneuver could mean that the Raiders return to Oakland in the short term, but can explore relocating to other cities, among them San Diego, St. Louis or joining the San Francisco 49ers in their new stadium in Santa Clara.

There is some sentiment among owners that the L.A. matter should be determined by secret ballot to avoid the awkwardness of league partners voting against partners. A secret vote -- now used only for the selection of a commissioner or awarding a Super Bowl to a city -- would need the approval of 17 of the league's 32 owners, a simple majority.

The idea of putting the Chargers and Rams in Inglewood has been floated for months and was formally proposed last week by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones in a one-page letter to Goodell.

There's a belief among some owners and league executives that Spanos would be willing to make a deal with Rams owner Stan Kroenke to share Inglewood if it were a 50-50 partnership that wouldn't put the Chargers at an economic disadvantage.

When news of Jones' letter became public late Saturday, Mark Fabiani, the Chargers' point man on stadium issues, reached out to The Times and asked that a December letter Spanos sent the L.A. committee be referenced. The two-paragraph letter rejected Kroenke's offer to partner with a second team in his planned Inglewood stadium.

"Nothing in Stan's letter gives me any reason to reconsider my partnership with Mark Davis and our chosen stadium site," Spanos wrote.

The one thing everyone can agree upon is that this is a very fluid process and plans can shift very quickly.

Three-quarters of owners must approve any franchise relocation. It's believed both projects have the nine votes to block the other, although that could be shifting in favor of the Rams after last week's meetings of the finance, stadium and L.A. committees at league headquarters in New York.

It's unclear if the six-owner L.A. committee will recommend a stadium plan or whether such an endorsement would be unanimous. Two members of that committee, Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson and Houston Texans owner Bob McNair, have made it clear in public that they favor the Carson plan.

Though the cost of the Inglewood stadium proposed by Kroenke has been publicly estimated at $1.86 billion, the league insiders say the cost likely would significantly exceed $2 billion. That would make it the most expensive venue in U.S. sports history. At 3 million square feet -- including identical locker rooms, office space and owner's suites for two teams -- it would also be the NFL's largest stadium.

The project would be the centerpiece of a 298-acre entertainment, retail and housing development, something one owner called an "NFL Disney World."

According to the relocation application the Rams submitted to the league last week, the stadium would be ready for the 2019 season.

Disney Chairman and CEO Robert Iger, who would oversee the Carson proposal if it is approved and have the opportunity for a minority ownership stake in the Chargers or Raiders, is expected to make a presentation to owners in Houston.

On Saturday, Goodell sent a 48-page report to all franchises saying that the three home markets -- Oakland, San Diego and St. Louis -- failed to produce viable stadium plans.

In the report, which did not make any recommendations, Goodell said market research supports the conclusion that L.A. is capable of being a two-team market.

Though the L.A. Memorial Coliseum has expressed a willingness to temporarily host one NFL team starting next season, it's unclear where a second team would play. USC's lease to operate the Coliseum would need to be amended to allow two NFL teams.

Last summer, the Rose Bowl Bowl Operating Co. declined to respond to the NFL's request for a proposal to temporarily host a team.

League officials, who have also looked at Angel Stadium, Dodger Stadium and the 27,000-seat StubHub Center, say they aren't concerned about finding temporary homes for two L.A. teams.

Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr. reiterated his city's support for the privately-financed stadium Monday.

"As we have believed all along, the Inglewood project is the best option for the NFL, from an economic and geographic perspective," Butts wrote in an email. "The companion development will make the stadium viable for year round uses. The HKS designed project will be the largest, most beautiful stadium in the world. We are hopeful that the NFL owners will agree."

Carson Mayor Albert Robles didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/nfl/la...112-story.html

Rams Fan · 01-12-2016, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pasta Giant Meatball

Kroenke is an absolute Scum human being Rams fan. No use feeling down on another decision based on pure greed by another scourge of society.

I've come to that the realization.

**Baby Lee** · 01-12-2016, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

I guess I'm out of the loop and haven't really followed this, but how did the Rams and Kroenke shit on stl?

In making their case for moving, Kronke cataloged in writing all the 'failings' of StL as a market. Talked about how, despite the Rams investing in players and personnel, the city gave them a shitty new stadium, and the stupid citizens wouldn't buy enough tickets or merchandise.

Pasta Little Brioni · 01-12-2016, 10:53 PM

LA gets a team and it's led by...Case Keenum

**Baby Lee** · 01-12-2016, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pasta Giant Meatball

LA gets a team and it's led by...Case Keenum

They'll probably waste Gurley like they did Dickerson.

Seriously, 7K-something rushing in 5 seasons and not so much as a blip on the radar among real NFL performers.

Did he ever even play a playoff game?

**J Diddy** · 01-12-2016, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rams Fan

Honestly, if STL got a NBA team, that would help me feel better just a bit.

We can support three teams.

St. Louis Beavers?

O.city · 01-12-2016, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rams Fan

-Kroenke didn't say shit to the public for over 4 years and hadn't been involved in the community what so ever.
-Only negotiated the bare minimum through arbitration in which the city would have had to pay $700 mil. to renovate the Dome to keep the Rams in town for 10 more years guaranteed.
-The Rams COO denied well over a year ago that the Inglewood site would be a potential site for a Rams stadium on St. Louis radio.
-The Rams sent a 29 page proposal to relocate to LA that included bashing the city of St. Louis. And the fans for not supporting the team.
-Didn't talk with the governor until like November or December of 2015.
-Never spoke to the mayor.

Gotcha thanks.

So he wanted out of stl and could basically buy his way out it sounds like.

Rams Fan · 01-12-2016, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

Gotcha thanks.

So he wanted out of stl and could basically buy his way out it sounds like.

Pretty much. He's one of the 5 richest owners in the NFL. If, say, Mike Brown(owner of the Bengals) owned the Rams and wanted to relocate, it wouldn't happen. He doesn't have the $$$. Kroenke does and that's why the Rams are going to LA as the stadium is 100% privately financed.

PutQuinnIn · 01-12-2016, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

They'll probably waste Gurley like they did Dickerson.

Seriously, 7K-something rushing in 5 seasons and not so much as a blip on the radar among real NFL performers.

Did he ever even play a playoff game?

2-5
724 yards rushing

KChiefs1 · 01-12-2016, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scho63

On a positive note, the Chiefs will now gobble up all the new young fans from St Louis to help grow their base.

If they keep winning.

ChiefsCountry · 01-12-2016, 11:08 PM

Chiefs have been inching towards eastern Missouri this past couple of years for the fan base. Radio stations in the Bootheel and in the western suburbs of St. Louis carry Chiefs games. Be interesting if the Chiefs try to set up a tv station in St. Louis for the preseason games and if they get a radio station to carry the games.

**Rausch** · 01-12-2016, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

If they keep winning.

Even if they don't.

The Titans suck and STL isn't cheering for Chicago...

KChiefs1 · 01-12-2016, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Chiefs have been inching towards eastern Missouri this past couple of years for the fan base. Radio stations in the Bootheel and in the western suburbs of St. Louis carry Chiefs games. Be interesting if the Chiefs try to set up a tv station in St. Louis for the preseason games and if they get a radio station to carry the games.

I bet they do.

ChiefsCountry · 01-12-2016, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

I bet they do.

On the bright side (sorry Rams Fan), we don't have to worry about the Chiefs getting bumped off tv around here anymore.

**Rausch** · 01-12-2016, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

On the bright side (sorry Rams Fan), we don't have to worry about the Chiefs getting bumped off tv around here anymore.

You really don't know how much my locals suck around here.

My locals once bumped a winning Chiefs team for the Bass Pro International Fishing tournament...

**DaneMcCloud** · 01-12-2016, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

You really don't know how much my locals suck around here.

My locals once bumped a winning Chiefs team for the Bass Pro International Fishing tournament...

Holy crap, I can't even imagine.

I don't like it when the Chiefs are on the national CBS feed and get bumped back to Direct TV when they're up 34-3 or whatever and it takes 3 minutes for it switch over.

That's some bullshit.

01-11-2016, 07:00 PM
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	Sources: Rams and Chargers relocation agreement could be reached Tuesday NFL consensus builds for a Rams-Chargers stadium project in Inglewood On the brink of a vote that could return the NFL to Los Angeles, a consensus is building within the league for the St. Louis Rams and San Diego Chargers to share a stadium in Inglewood. Multiple league officials and owners not involved with the Inglewood project, or the competing proposal in Carson, say there is momentum to pair the two franchises in what one owner describes as a "transformational" project backed by the Rams. The Chargers and Oakland Raiders want to build a stadium in Carson, and to this point, Chargers owner Dean Spanos has stood by his partnership with Raiders owner Mark Davis. The league insiders, who spoke on the condition they not be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter, say Spanos doesn't want to be seen as turning his back on a partner. This makes the path to what is emerging as the preferred pairing more difficult. But the insiders believe the matter can be resolved during the special meeting that starts Tuesday in Houston, where owners hope to find an answer to the two-decade L.A. vacancy. One influential owner whose preference has not been apparent in public or private, touted Inglewood over Carson, saying "the deals aren't even close." In the past week, there has been a flurry of behind-the-scenes activity among owners and NFL staff in an attempt to clear the way for a decision to be made at these meetings. It is extremely rare for the NFL to devote a full day to a single topic, much less two days in the middle of the playoffs. It underscores how determined the NFL owners and Commissioner Roger Goodell are to reach an accord that would bring professional football back to the country's second-largest market. It is widely thought that the L.A decision will help define the legacy of Goodell, and shape the financial future for a league that generates $10 billion in annual revenue. All three teams want to relocate to L.A. for the 2016 season, meaning time is of the essence to move their franchises and begin selling tickets. Although the general meetings start Tuesday, the Los Angeles committee is convening Monday. There's a sense that most owners want the Chargers and Rams in Inglewood, but aren't sure of the best way to make it happen. The idea of the Raiders returning to L.A. is not popular among many owners. One owner said that the NFL has to realize that "we just can't solve all three stadium problems in one fell swoop." It would mean striking a bargain that keeps the Raiders out of L.A. but doesn't leave them empty handed. Such a maneuver could mean that the Raiders return to Oakland in the short term, but can explore relocating to other cities, among them San Diego, St. Louis or joining the San Francisco 49ers in their new stadium in Santa Clara. There is some sentiment among owners that the L.A. matter should be determined by secret ballot to avoid the awkwardness of league partners voting against partners. A secret vote -- now used only for the selection of a commissioner or awarding a Super Bowl to a city -- would need the approval of 17 of the league's 32 owners, a simple majority. The idea of putting the Chargers and Rams in Inglewood has been floated for months and was formally proposed last week by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones in a one-page letter to Goodell. There's a belief among some owners and league executives that Spanos would be willing to make a deal with Rams owner Stan Kroenke to share Inglewood if it were a 50-50 partnership that wouldn't put the Chargers at an economic disadvantage. When news of Jones' letter became public late Saturday, Mark Fabiani, the Chargers' point man on stadium issues, reached out to The Times and asked that a December letter Spanos sent the L.A. committee be referenced. The two-paragraph letter rejected Kroenke's offer to partner with a second team in his planned Inglewood stadium. "Nothing in Stan's letter gives me any reason to reconsider my partnership with Mark Davis and our chosen stadium site," Spanos wrote. The one thing everyone can agree upon is that this is a very fluid process and plans can shift very quickly. Three-quarters of owners must approve any franchise relocation. It's believed both projects have the nine votes to block the other, although that could be shifting in favor of the Rams after last week's meetings of the finance, stadium and L.A. committees at league headquarters in New York. It's unclear if the six-owner L.A. committee will recommend a stadium plan or whether such an endorsement would be unanimous. Two members of that committee, Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson and Houston Texans owner Bob McNair, have made it clear in public that they favor the Carson plan. Though the cost of the Inglewood stadium proposed by Kroenke has been publicly estimated at $1.86 billion, the league insiders say the cost likely would significantly exceed $2 billion. That would make it the most expensive venue in U.S. sports history. At 3 million square feet -- including identical locker rooms, office space and owner's suites for two teams -- it would also be the NFL's largest stadium. The project would be the centerpiece of a 298-acre entertainment, retail and housing development, something one owner called an "NFL Disney World." According to the relocation application the Rams submitted to the league last week, the stadium would be ready for the 2019 season. Disney Chairman and CEO Robert Iger, who would oversee the Carson proposal if it is approved and have the opportunity for a minority ownership stake in the Chargers or Raiders, is expected to make a presentation to owners in Houston. On Saturday, Goodell sent a 48-page report to all franchises saying that the three home markets -- Oakland, San Diego and St. Louis -- failed to produce viable stadium plans. In the report, which did not make any recommendations, Goodell said market research supports the conclusion that L.A. is capable of being a two-team market. Though the L.A. Memorial Coliseum has expressed a willingness to temporarily host one NFL team starting next season, it's unclear where a second team would play. USC's lease to operate the Coliseum would need to be amended to allow two NFL teams. Last summer, the Rose Bowl Bowl Operating Co. declined to respond to the NFL's request for a proposal to temporarily host a team. League officials, who have also looked at Angel Stadium, Dodger Stadium and the 27,000-seat StubHub Center, say they aren't concerned about finding temporary homes for two L.A. teams. Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr. reiterated his city's support for the privately-financed stadium Monday. "As we have believed all along, the Inglewood project is the best option for the NFL, from an economic and geographic perspective," Butts wrote in an email. "The companion development will make the stadium viable for year round uses. The HKS designed project will be the largest, most beautiful stadium in the world. We are hopeful that the NFL owners will agree." Carson Mayor Albert Robles didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. http://www.latimes.com/sports/nfl/la...112-story.html
Posts: 80,659

01-12-2016, 10:53 PM	#333
Pasta Little Brioni Consuming CP souls Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: U.S.A. Casino cash: $3758880	LA gets a team and it's led by...Case Keenum __________________ **Official TFWdemB Trivia Commisioner**
Posts: 68,815

01-12-2016, 11:08 PM	#340
ChiefsCountry The Insider Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Casino cash: $2088752	Chiefs have been inching towards eastern Missouri this past couple of years for the fan base. Radio stations in the Bootheel and in the western suburbs of St. Louis carry Chiefs games. Be interesting if the Chiefs try to set up a tv station in St. Louis for the preseason games and if they get a radio station to carry the games.
Posts: 49,740