Los Angeles remains in play somewhere in the future, the largest United States city without an NFL franchise. The Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers and St. Louis Rams all have L.A. connections and are eyeing the city.
Come Jan. 1, teams can inform the NFL of plans to relocate. While all three franchises could submit relocation requests, approval is not likely.
The hangup? One great big shiny modern football stadium. That’s what L.A. needs before it can bring pro football back.
There’s another possibility in play: London. Games there are helping increase Europe’s interest in the NFL. Teams will have played three London games by season’s end. In October, Goodell told fans in London: “You are proving you are worthy of a franchise.”
While expansion is an option, franchise moves are seen as more likely to fill demand in L.A. and/or London.
The Raiders have no stadium lease for 2015. The Rams view the Edwards Jones Dome as antiquated and have an out. Both teams, however, do have stadium options in their current cities.
The Chargers said recently they will remain in San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium next season but have no commitment beyond that time. Their announcement to stay put is believed linked to Goodell’s word eliminating L.A. as a 2015 option.
According to media reports, Goodell contacted owners of all three teams last week to tell them Los Angeles is off the table for now. In March, Goodell put forward his strongest support yet for a return to Los Angeles but said the move would come when the situation was right.
It has been 20 years since both the Rams and Raiders left L.A. The Rams had the promise of a new domed stadium in St. Louis. The Raiders believed their future rested in their past, returning to Oakland. Things haven’t gone well in recent seasons for either team, and the Raiders continue to share their facility with the Oakland Athletics.
The Chargers are viewed as the team most likely to request a move to Los Angeles, according to NBC Sports. Their push for a new stadium has spanned more than a decade. They also could object to another team moving to Los Angeles, citing a large percentage of their revenue coming from that market.
Still, observers believe two teams could eventually move to L.A. Where would they play? The Rose Bowl in Pasadena and the venerable Los Angeles Coliseum would be temporary sites, and at least three locations are proposed for a new venue.
One of those, in Inglewood, Calif., is property purchased by Rams owner Stan Kroenke. It is between the Hollywood Park racetrack and the renovated Los Angeles Forum indoor arena. NFL.com points out two other possible sites: a large tract in Carson, Calif., and one in downtown L.A.
Contributing: Chicago Tribune, ESPN, NBC Sports, Sports Illustrated, Fox Sports
