Football Sources: Rams and Chargers relocation agreement could be reached Tuesday - Page 6

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

Misplaced_Chiefs_Fan · 01-12-2016, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

That's old news from yesterday.

Agreed: Note the FWIW.

I was more interested in Farmer's article. Seems like he's done some pretty good research on this.

ChiefsCountry · 01-12-2016, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Misplaced_Chiefs_Fan

Agreed: Note the FWIW.

I was more interested in Farmer's article. Seems like he's done some pretty good research on this.

Its the same article that is in the OP by the way.

ping2000 · 01-12-2016, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DenverChief

The only place the raiders are going is San Antonio

MS 13 is strong there. The Faid needs the gangs.

**The Franchise** · 01-12-2016, 11:23 AM

So if the Chargers and Rams move to LA......does that mean the Raiders are ****ed? Do they aim for San Antonio?

**wazu** · 01-12-2016, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pestilence

So if the Chargers and Rams move to LA......does that mean the Raiders are ****ed? Do they aim for San Antonio?

They move to St. Louis, then expansion teams in San Diego and Oakland. Rinse, repeat.

oldman · 01-12-2016, 11:33 AM

I guess I still don't see why it's so important to have 2 teams in LA. Times may have changed, but they didn't support 2 teams when the Raiders and the Rams were there. Of the 3 teams, I'd say the Chargers should be there only because of the ties to So. Cal. Screw both the Raiders and St. Louis.

**mikeyis4dcats.** · 01-12-2016, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rams Fan

St. Louis City doesn't reside within St. Louis County.

Thats bizarre

Rams Fan · 01-12-2016, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.

Thats bizarre

I know. St. Louis is an independent city and resides in no county. The city limits itself are fairly small and, due to the city being separate from the county, it's pretty much impossible for the city to annex land, thus making it difficult for the city to expand in both land size and population.

Hoover · 01-12-2016, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.

Inglewood

Carson

Looks like parking for a couple thousand cars...

saphojunkie · 01-12-2016, 11:51 AM

Carson is ****ing stupid. It's down east of Torrance, which is already the ****ing boondocks. There's something like 5 square miles of the entire project layout that's environmentally sound land. It's a ****ing landfill.

At least Inglewood is close to LAX, is accessible via public transportation as well as cars, doesn't require freeways to get there, and would actually be integrated into the city of LA.

Having said all that, I am ****ing elated that I get the best of both worlds:

Chargers come to LA, so I get two more Chiefs games on local TV.

Rams come to LA, and I can have an NFC team to follow.

Raiders stay the **** away, along with their trash fan base.

Yay!

brucey_72 · 01-12-2016, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lex Luthor

The solution is simple. Become a Chiefs fan. This team isn't going anywhere, and you're already a member of Chiefsplanet.

This is Chiefsplanet. We enthusiastically welcome all new Chiefs fans.

Besides 49er fans

PutQuinnIn · 01-12-2016, 01:06 PM

Carson is not happening, site is a toxic landfill.

PutQuinnIn · 01-12-2016, 01:18 PM

The scene in Houston.

**DaneMcCloud** · 01-12-2016, 02:06 PM

#NFL LA comm recommends Carson site 5-1. Lone exception: #Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, who said should 1 team or none #Rams #Chargers #Raiders
— Jason Cole (@JasonColeBR) January 12, 2016

Go Clark!

ChiefsCountry · 01-12-2016, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

#NFL LA comm recommends Carson site 5-1. Lone exception: #Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, who said should 1 team or none #Rams #Chargers #Raiders
— Jason Cole (@JasonColeBR) January 12, 2016

Go Clark!

Chiefs don't want the AFC West to realign IMO.

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, 11:23 AM	#79
The Franchise Most Valuable Villain Join Date: Dec 2006 Casino cash: $3085047	So if the Chargers and Rams move to LA......does that mean the Raiders are ****ed? Do they aim for San Antonio?
Posts: 92,188

01-12-2016, 11:33 AM	#81
oldman Curmudgeon Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North by Northwest Casino cash: $5836784	I guess I still don't see why it's so important to have 2 teams in LA. Times may have changed, but they didn't support 2 teams when the Raiders and the Rams were there. Of the 3 teams, I'd say the Chargers should be there only because of the ties to So. Cal. Screw both the Raiders and St. Louis.
Posts: 5,319

01-12-2016, 11:51 AM	#85
saphojunkie MVP Join Date: Aug 2011 Casino cash: $4726250	Carson is **ing stupid. It's down east of Torrance, which is already the ing boondocks. There's something like 5 square miles of the entire project layout that's environmentally sound land. It's a ing landfill. At least Inglewood is close to LAX, is accessible via public transportation as well as cars, doesn't require freeways to get there, and would actually be integrated into the city of LA. Having said all that, I am ing elated that I get the best of both worlds: Chargers come to LA, so I get two more Chiefs games on local TV. Rams come to LA, and I can have an NFC team to follow. Raiders stay the ** away, along with their trash fan base. Yay!
Posts: 12,574

01-12-2016, 01:06 PM	#87
PutQuinnIn Game Manager Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Los Angeles, CA Casino cash: $9735837	Carson is not happening, site is a toxic landfill.
Posts: 1,142

01-12-2016, 01:18 PM	#88
PutQuinnIn Game Manager Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Los Angeles, CA Casino cash: $9735837	The scene in Houston.
Posts: 1,142

01-12-2016, 02:06 PM	#89
DaneMcCloud Supporter Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hollywood, CA Casino cash: $10053648	#NFL LA comm recommends Carson site 5-1. Lone exception: #Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, who said should 1 team or none #Rams #Chargers #Raiders — Jason Cole (@JasonColeBR) January 12, 2016 Go Clark!
Posts: 88,960