Los Angeles NFL Stadium: Will Pro Football Come Back To L.A.?

• 11 months ago
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NFL In Los Angeles: Buffalo Bills And Erie County Talk Lease

• about 1 year ago
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VIDEO: Welcome To Farmers Field

Football fans in Los Angeles continue to hope that they will soon have an NFL team to call their own, but they will need a stadium first.

That's were Farmer's Field comes in, and in their latest push to garner more support an excitement about the proposed stadium, they have recently released this exciting video that gives us laypeople the ability to visualize what it would be like to have a state of the art football arena/convention center for the 21st century.

FarmersField.com: Welcome to Farmers Field (via FarmersFieldLA)

It's amazing what they can with technology these days, it almost seems like the stadium has already been built! Obviously all of this will be for nought if the NFL can't figure out a way to put a franchise back in Los Angeles. Hopefully Roger Goodell can come up with a plan, possibly moving a team there or even expanding the league in general.

• about 1 year ago
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Vikings Stadium Update: 'There Is No Next Year' In Minnesota According To Team, L.A. In The Future?

According to a report from TwinCities.com the Minnesota Vikings battle to have a new stadium built is becoming a much longer shot after state governor Mark Dayton the new stadium bill was shot down in the state's house of representatives, forcing Governor Mark Dayton to ask the Vikings to wait another year before re-proposing a similar idea.

Well apparently the Vikings don't feel like waiting, noting that ' there is no next year' for them, the strongest language used to date about the Vikes looking to relocate, possibly to Southern California. The Vikes have put up with this type of procrastination for far too long according to team vice president of public affairs and stadium development Lester Bagley:

"The last governor said in 2006 we'll come back and work on yours next year. That was six years ago. No action this year is a decision."

The $975 million proposal was shot down on a 9-6 vote Monday night, which Bagley notes that some legislators are afraid to favor. Governor Dayton is well aware of the severity of the Vikings claims, as he continues to push for a bi-partisan effort to keep the Purple and Gold in Minnesota.

"We've got to get a stadium next year or the Vikings will leave," Dayton said. "I mean, it's just as clear as that. We can't have it both ways. We can't not do a new stadium and have the Vikings remain here for very long."

With politics wedging itself between the team and it's state, the delay could not only cost Minnesota it's NFL franchise, it could cost the people of Minnesota as well:

"I feel very badly for the thousands of unemployed Minnesotans who should be and would be working on this project over the next couple of years..."you get just this kind of behavior, everybody angling for their own self-interest and trading this vote off for that vote."

Los Angeles is the likeliest of landing spots for the Vikings if they plan of relocating, with both the Farmer's Field project in downtown Los Angeles and another proposed NFL stadium site in Carson, CA for them to possibly choose from. Minnesota has to figure out the best way to appease the team, the taxpayers and the politicians for this deal to work, if not, they could be L.A. bound sooner than later.

For more on the Vikings, head over to the Daily Norseman.

• about 1 year ago
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Vikings Stadium Update: House Shoots Down Proposal, Is LA Relocation A Real Possibility?"

The Minnesota Vikings are in a fight with the state of Minnesota to build a new stadium. So why should football fans in Los Angeles care? Well, if the Vikings were to lose that fight, there's a possibility that their fight might turn to flight and they'll be searching for a new home.

Guess who is looking to house its own team? You guessed it.

The 'Los Angeles Vikings' may be a faraway possibility at this point but it's still something that should be kept a close eye on. After clearing two House committees fairly easy this month, a bill to use public money to help build a new stadium in Minneapolis lost a 9-6 vote which could end all the hopes for the bill to pass during this legislative session, according to the Pioneer Press. Vikings brass steered clear of threatening a departure from the city but a move hovered over every word that followed the vote.

"Minnesota's in control of their destiny," said Vikings Vice President Lester Bagley in the Pioneer Press.

• about 1 year ago
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NFL In Los Angeles: Plans Still Moving Forward ON AEG's Farmer's Field

Despite the fact that efforts to lure an NFL team to Los Angeles over the past few months have hit a large roadblock, a report from NBC's Pro Football Talk states that the group building Farmer's Field in downtown L.A. is still moving forward in int's construction.

AEG, the group that also owns the STAPLES Center in downtown Los Angeles, is going about it's business in regards to Farmer's Field, with sources close to the situation telling PFT that the Environmental Impact Report will be released as planned on Thursday, April 5, and design work continues on the stadium as well. The EIR will cost around $27 million and will be open to public comment for 45 days.

All this work being done may come to a screeching halt if a team can not be lured to Tinsel Town, and their options within the league already are starting to dwindle. An expansion team may be the best option to try and get the NFL back in L.A., which is a long shot as well.

For more updates on Farmer's Field, please make sure to follow this StoryStream.

• over 1 year ago
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Los Angeles' Farmer's Field To Be Filled By Expansion

February 1st was a big date for the San Diego Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, and St. Louis Rams. Those fanbases can rest a bit easier as Roger Goodell has gone on the record now saying he'd like to keep the 32 franchises where they are. With respect to Farmer's Field in Downtown LA, that means NFL in LA will likely happen via an expansion franchise; or perhaps two.

"We probably don't want to go to 33" Goodell said in an interview Thursday night with Bob Costas. This means that an LA expansion team would have to come with a buddy. This would be to alleviate scheduling problems, and might mean two expansion teams kicking off in LA. Surely there's enough income in LA to support two teams, but it'd be interesting how they tried to differentiate themselves in marketing.

If there were two teams granted to Los Angeles, that would likely mean one placed in the NFC and one in the AFC. LA fans might not be so quick to don the home colors, and early years could see more Raider fans in Farmer's Field than LA expansion fans. Still, you have to expect the respective marketing departments to try and ram their message across and compete for season ticket holders.

However, while all these leases expiring has created a sense of urgency, don't expect the NFL to drop everything to be in LA:

"We would like to be back in Los Angeles if we can do it correctly," Goodell said. Which means a stadium built, not just planned.

JasonLaCanfora Goodell says with labor and tv security in place that's a runway for a possible team there. Also says Super Bowl could come back to Indy 2/3/12 8:38 AM

Security was stressed throughout the talk. While there's always the possibility one of the LA potentials could move, and the expansion teams split between LA and the city that just lost it's team (think MLB after the Dodgers moved), it seems in Goodell's ideal world, there's a little bit of calm after what has been a bit of a stormy time.

• over 1 year ago
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San Diego Chargers Agree To Stay In San Diego For 2012 Season

The San Diego Chargers announced today that they will not be using their option to break their lease with Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers' lease at Qualcomm Stadium runs through 2020, but they have an option every year to break the lease during a three month window starting February 1st. The agreement means the Chargers could decide to move in that window, after paying off existing bonds, but it appears this won't be the year the Chargers exercise that option.

From the statement:

"The City of San Diego and the Chargers continue to work closely together to explore publicly acceptable ways to build a Super Bowl-quality stadium on the bus maintenance yard site in the East Village of downtown San Diego. To give this ongoing process every chance to succeed, the Chargers have announced that the team will not trigger the lease's termination clause in 2012. Both the Mayor’s Office and the Chargers look forward to continuing their joint efforts to build a multi-use stadium that will benefit the entire region."

According to the LA Times, the Chargers would have owed $23.98 million on existing bonds had they chosen to break the lease. They will owe $22.015 million in 2013. While there is growing speculation that the Chargers would be a perfect fit in Los Angeles, paying an extra million to play in the aging Coliseum for a year assuming Farmer's Field is finished on time is not an easy sell.

For the time being, this makes the Minnesota Vikings the front runner for teams potentially moving to Los Angeles, with the St. Louis Rams as a dark horse. Should the Vikings chose to stick with the twin cities for another year, and the Rams receive a proposal for stadium upgrades that opens the field up once again. And in 2013, the Oakland Raiders would be a player as well.

• over 1 year ago
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Jeff Fisher To Rams Could Be Held Up If Team Relocated To Los Angeles

It looked as if the St. Louis Rams could have a new head coach, and Jeff Fisher is the guy they were looking at. It looked as if Fisher would be the guy the Rams would end up taking and making the guy that would bring them back to NFL relevance.

However, this one might be held up because of a surprising issue. The Rams are one of the teams that is being considered for movement to Los Angeles. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk has more.

It’s hard to tell whether Thomas is reporting that Fisher actually is concerned that the team will move to L.A., or that the issue has emerged, or could emerge, as a sticking point in negotiations. At the end of the day, it could be that Fisher simply wants his pay to be adjusted if at some point he’ll be coaching not in St. Louis but in a much larger, and thus more challenging and intense, media market.

Fisher in St. Louis compared to Fisher in Los Angeles doesn't seem like much, since the head coach shouldn't mind coaching either city (Fisher is a USC Trojan after all). However, the cost of living in Los Angles is far greater than in St. Louis, so he should definitely negotiate a deal that would mean more money for him if such a move is actually being considered.

To discuss Fisher in St. Louis or potentially the Rams being moved to St. Louis, head to Turf Show Times.

• over 1 year ago
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NFL In Los Angeles: California Supreme Court Decision Could Hasten San Diego Chargers Move

The California Supreme Court made this decision today to dissolve the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency

This could cause a lot of trouble for many stadium redevelopment projects. According to Howard Mintz of the San Jose Mercury News, Santa Clara could be in a bit of trouble trying to land the new stadium of the San Francisco 49ers, and Oakland could be in trouble trying to keep the A's from moving to San Jose.

This could in turn endanger the future of the San Diego Chargers staying in San Diego, and could hasten their move up the I-5 toward Los Angeles. Roger Showley of the San Diego Union-Tribune has more.

Many high-profile projects, as well as park and sidewalk improvements, count on redevelopment funding and their future now is in doubt.

The biggest is the proposed $800 million Chargers stadium downtown.

"We had assumed last fall that redevelopment funds would not be available, and so we proposed a combination stadium-convention center expansion concept which we believe could be financed without redevelopment dollars," said team counsel Mark Fabiani.

However, the city has rejected a combination as Fabiani sketched out in favor of moving forward now with a $520 million convention center expansion.

If this rule stays the way it is, now the Chargers will be stuck having to find a new source of revenue to try and keep their team. It's a tall order, especially considering the people who are trying to gear a relocation to Los Angeles.

To discuss the future of the Chargers in San Diego, head to Bolts from the Blue.

• over 1 year ago
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NFL In L.A.: San Diego Chargers Retain Norv Turner, A.J. Smith; Dean Spanos Acknowledges Selling Tickets In San Diego A Problem

The San Diego Chargers surprised most of the football world on Tuesday with their decision to retain head coach Norv Turner and general manager A.J. Smith for 2012. Both were assumed by many to be fired at the conclusion of the season, in which the AFC West favorites missed the playoffs with an 8-8 record. But team president Dean Spanos on Tuesday acknowledged the team has bigger issues at the moment.

Spanos was interviewed by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk on Tuesday, and noted the team's attendance woes:

"I’m sure it’s going to be a challenge this year," Spanos said as to the task of selling tickets. The team had multiple blackouts in 2011, and the Chargers routinely had to scramble to sell non-premium tickets to several other games.

But Spanos seems to think that a changing of the team’s coach and/or G.M. wouldn’t have made the turnstiles spin any more quickly. "There’s a certain percentage of fans that until we go out and win, I don’t think it’s going to make any difference," Spanos said.

The Chargers have long been rumored as a potential candidate to move to Los Angeles, especially if they can't work out a stadium deal in San Diego. There are far too many steps and hurdles in the way of the Chargers' move to L.A. at the moment, but if the team under Smith and Turner doesn't win, they will continue to have trouble selling seats.

Meanwhile in Los Angeles, we wait as a possible destination down the road.

• over 1 year ago
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NFL Revives Defunct Loan Program, Could Net Chargers $200 Million For San Diego Stadium

For all of those out there keeping your fingers crossed that the San Diego Chargers could be soon making the move north to Los Angeles, that may be becoming less and less of a possibility.

10 news in San Diego reported Thursday that the NFL ownership has brought a defunct loan proposal back to life that could net the Chargers as much as $200 million of the proposed $800 million it would take to build the stadium in the East Village area of downtown San Diego, close to the Padres home at Petco Park. 

Back in July the team thought they might get $100 million if it restored it's low-cost loans that ran out in 2006, but the $200 million is music to their ears:

"As much as $200 million in league loans and assistance might now be available to us," Chargers special counsel Mark Fabiani said. "The final amount will depend on a variety of factors, set forth in the resolution passed by the owners today, and we will be crunching numbers in the coming days."    

The Chargers have been thought as a leading candidate to move to LA with their new proposed stadium, but they also have eyed this spot in San Diego for a while now, looking to leave the 44 year old Qualcomm Stadium behind. But with competing stadiums behind built in Southern California, and the 49ers pushing forward with their stadium up North, who will be getting the dough from the NFL? Well, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said construction money will be distributed based on the merits of the projects' private investments, but also to where the market is as well:

"They've become more complex and more expensive in these markets and we had to adjust our policy to participate in these projects and support these projects both at the club level and league level," he said.

In San Diego, city officials and members of the Chargers organization have been meeting for months now, trying to hammer out a financing proposal that would hold up in a public vote to be held in November 2012. If the Chargers were to stay, that would leave few teams that could move to LA, one of which would be the Minnesota Vikings, who could also stand to earn $200 million from this proposed loan deal. 

While up in San Francisco, 49ers president Jed York tweeted that he felt the 49ers would be the first team to get allocated funds for their proposed  $1.1 billion stadium project in Santa Clara, CA. 

#NFL's next-gen stadium financing program approved today -- confident that the #49ers will be the first recipient...

— Jed York (@JedYork) December 14, 2011

Just how will this all affect an LA stadium? It is possible that both the downtown stadium proposal and City of Industry proposal may not benefit from this new program as the resolution requires that a stadium that gets NFL assistance "must not involve any relocation of or change in an affected club's 'home territory," which brings up the question as to whether LA is in the Chargers 'territory.' 

Should be interesting to see just where all this money ends up. 

For more details on the NFL stadium loan program, click here. 

• over 1 year ago
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Jacksonville Jaguars Sold: Will Reportedly Remain In Florida

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Los Angeles NFL Stadium Farmer's Field Promises State Of The Art Experience

New images were released Tuesday showing the latest design scheme for the proposed downtown NFL Stadium known as Farmer's Field. Unveiled as part of a stadium project update by AEG and ICON Venture group, the images not only show where Farmer's Field would be situated relative to LA Live and the Staples Center, but give a glimpse of the expected gamed day atmosphere. 

"We have really challenged the Gensler team to create a unique design for Farmers Field that is destined to become another distinguished signature building for Los Angeles and at the same time a remarkable achievement in venue functionality and sustainability…This stadium and event center will be like nothing you’ve ever seen or experienced." -Tim Romani, President and CEO of ICON Venture Group 

Farmer's Field will house Los Angeles' NFL team which is rumored to be anyone from the San Diego Chargers to the Oakland Raiders to the Minnesota Vikings. It was announced today that the project is still on schedule, and that they plan to break ground later this year. 

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Los Angeles NFL Stadium Photo Of Farmer's Field With Retractable Roof

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Los Angeles Football Stadium: Jaguars Appear To Be Staying In Jacksonville

As the city of Los Angeles continues their efforts to build a state-of-the-art arena and thus bring an NFL team to SoCal, one of the potential teams rumored to make the trip across country can probably be marked off the list.

According to a report that was gathered by Big Cat Country, the Jacksonville Jaguars might be partially sold in the near future. The potential buyer would likely keep the team in Jacksonville.

Breaking news! 1010 XL has learned that Wayne Weaver is selling a piece of the Jaguar franchise to Fred Smith of Fed Ex as a minority owner. When Wayne decides it's time to retire Fred would then transition into the majority owner with the agreement that the team will remain in Jacksonville. It's not official yet, but we're told it's almost a done deal.

Again, this is not official, but it appears the team will be staying in Florida. While there are other teams that could potentially make the move to Los Angeles, losing a potential candidate is never a good thing.

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Vikings Could Move To Los Angeles If Minnesota Stadium Plans Remain Stagnant

The Minnesota Vikings sit at a crossroads: after announcing that the team will not renew its lease at the Metrodome (the team's home site since 1982), the Vikings need to determine where their next venue will be. According to a report by the Star Tribune, the Vikings organization could move if the state of Minnesota does not come to a consensus about stadium plans.

Current suggestions have called for a new Vikings stadium in Ramsey County's Arden Hills at a projected cost of $1.1 billion. The Minnesota state legislature has not yet decided whether it wants to contribute to the project, and the NFL is pressuring the state to step up.

An NFL official met with Governor Mark Dayton on Tuesday, stating that a lack of activity on the political front could mean "opening the door" to other locations in other cities. Dayton has responded by setting up an appointment with the Vikings on Wednesday and calling for a special legislative session post-Thanksgiving to tackle the state's financial commitment for the new Vikings stadium.

If the Vikings do move, Los Angeles makes the most sense. L.A. is the biggest major city in America without a professional NFL team yet and it appears to be only a matter of time before the city is bestowed with a franchise. The Oakland Raiders have also considered moving to Los Angeles, and those talks could gain even more steam in the coming months if the team changes ownership.

With regard to the Vikings, any potential move from Minnesota hinges on more political inactivity. If the Vikings and the state begin talking about financial plans for the new stadium, a move to Los Angeles becomes unlikely. If those talks stall, though, L.A. may become an attractive destination for the Vikings franchise.

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Financing Problems Hindering City of Industry's Stadium Plans

With the city of Los Angeles moving full speed ahead in an attempt to return the NFL to area, the city of Industry is having problems with their proposed stadium that has been in the works for over two years now with little progress to show for it. 

Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger gave the stadium's proposed location an environmental exemption that was to pave the way for the beautiful stadium's construction, though little to nothing has been done with it since. But as in most cases it's not a problem of want when trying to get a stadium built but rather one of need as the project is in desperate need of financing to stay afloat. 

Virtually every new sports venue in the country receives some form of public financing. California historically has been unwilling to provide public financing, so Los Angeles has had to find a way to privately finance a stadium. Since the Raiders and Rams left Los Angeles 16 years ago, 22 NFL stadiums have opened and five others have undergone major renovations. Approximately 50 percent of the funds used on these stadiums were provided by public sources, according to Conventions, Sports & Leisure International.

There lies the rub; who's going to pay for all this?

Majestic Realty Co. is undertaking this project, lead by president Ed Roski and vice president John Semcken, who originally planned back in 2008 to build their 75,000-seat open-air stadium, with Roski owning a stake in whatever team came to LA. Unfortunately for Roski and Majestic Realty the Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), created their proposal for Farmers Field, a 70,000-seat retractable-roof stadium in downtown Los Angeles. Roski helped build Staples Center with AEG, and owns shares in the Lakers and Kings with Anschutz, and is now essentially left to compete for public funding with AEG and Farmer's Field. 

Roski's timetable of completion and percentage of ownership (looking for about 30%) he wants of whatever team comes to LA make it difficult for a team to commit to Industry right now.  Here's John Gillespie, expert on stadium financing:

There is a chicken-or-the-egg problem with [Roski's] plan because no team would agree to move for something that is uncertain and speculative. If you're sort of backing into numbers that aren't based on experience elsewhere, I would think most teams aren't going to buy in to it to begin with because it leaves them ultimately responsible if it doesn't materialize, especially if they own a majority of the stadium.    

Despite all the gorgeous renderings and environmental exceptions for the stadium, Farmer's Field and a lack of financial support may ultimately kill Industry's stadium project, but only time (and money) will tell. 

For more on this situation, read more here. 

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Raiders Could Move To Los Angeles With New Ownership

The death of Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis could change the team's future venue as ownership shifts hands.  Ownership of the Raiders will likely go to Davis' son, Mark, who could decide to sell the team if he chooses not to keep it within the family, which further complicates the team's future.

The two big options on the table are a move to Los Angeles and a shared stadium with the San Francisco 49ers. Davis didn't want to make the move to L.A. during his tenure because it was reported that developers wanted a part of the team. That obstacle might not be as big of an issue under new management.

The Raiders also face the option of sharing with the 49ers. In this time of change for the team, CEO Amy Trask continues to repeat that the Raiders will consider just that, according to a report by Mercury News. Davis opposed this idea in much the same way he opposed a move to Los Angeles, but the Raiders organization could change its mind on this issue moving forward as well.

If the Raiders were to move to L.A., a proposed stadium could be ready for play by the 2016 season.  For now, though, nothing is certain. The team is also considering construction of a new stadium in Oakland, and we may have to wait for some time before we know which- if any- of these three alternatives the organization decides to choose. 

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Los Angeles Football Stadium: California Governor Signs Bill That Could Solidify Efforts To Build Farmers Field

California Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill on Tuesday that aims to speed up the legal process involved with getting approval to build a $1.2 billion stadium named Farmers Field in downtown Los Angeles. Brown signed the bill through, ostensibly to create jobs in a state whose unemployment rate is in the double digits. 

Per Sports Illustrated:

The bill would expedite resolution of legal challenges to AEG's project, sending lawsuits over its environmental impact directly to the California Court of Appeal and bypassing the Superior Court. The appeals court would have to make a ruling within 175 days. AEG would thus avoid a protracted and costly court battle that could hold up construction of the stadium, which could break ground as early as June if it passes environmental muster and secures an NFL team. 

In return, AEG, which owns the Staples Center and L.A. Live entertainment complex next to the convention center, pledged to build a "green stadium" and make it public-transit friendly.

The stadium's construction approval could solidify the city's attempts to bring in an NFL team, with the frontrunner rumored to be the San Diego Chargers. 

For more on the Farmers Field project, follow our StoryStream for all the developments.

• almost 2 years ago
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Los Angeles Football Stadium: California Senate Passes Bill That Could Pave Way For Construction Of Farmers Field

The California State Senate passed a bill Friday afternoon that aims to speed up legal challenges to the construction of Farmers Field, the $1.2 billion proposed football stadium in downtown Los Angeles. Senate Bill 292 passed 32-7 and will now go to the desk of California Gov. Jerry Brown, who is expected to sign it. 

Arash Markazi of ESPN LA reports: 

Friday's decision represents the biggest milestone for the NFL's return to Los Angeles since the city council unanimously passed the financial framework of an agreement between AEG and the city last month to build the 72,000-seat stadium and a new $275 million wing of the Los Angeles Convention Center next to Staples Center and L.A. Live, also owned by AEG. AEG president and CEO Tim Leiweke said plans for Farmers Field could not have continued unless the bill was passed.

Markazi noted on his twitter account that he "Cannot underscore the significance of today's senate vote enough. If AEG gets past EIR (Environmental Impact Report) process, the NFL will likely be back in LA next year. If AEG takes care of environmental and legal actions by May, which they expect to, an NFL team, likely the Chargers, will be playing in LA."

AEG's goal is to get a new team to LA by May of next year, where they can play in the Rose Bowl or the Colseum until Farmers Field is finished. If the legal proceedings last past May into June or July (when team's training camps begin), it probably means that the team's move, likely the Chargers, will have to be pushed back a year into 2013. 

• almost 2 years ago
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Los Angeles Football Stadium: USC Could Present An Issue With New NFL Team

The eagerness to both bring an NFL team back to Los Angeles and to build a new stadium near downtown is at an all-time high. City Council has already voted unanimously in favor of the new deal, citing economic benefits as the main cause, and many of those living in the LA area would like a professional team back in their city.

A new stadium would take years to build. While there is nothing certain, a team would likely have to come to the city a few seasons before everything could be built. That could be a slight problem, seeing as the team would have no definitive stadium to play at. One would think USC's Memorial Coliseum would be a nice fit, but it may not be.

The Los Angeles Times had this interesting story regarding USC and their potential refusal to allow the new team to play at their home stadium. Here are a few of the highlights:

But with the city now moving to bring professional football back to L.A., USC could block efforts to have the new team play at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum during the three to four years that a proposed football stadium would be under construction downtown.

City Councilman Bernard C. Parks, whose district includes the Coliseum, said that a USC administrator told him that the school intends to exercise the veto unless it receives a new "master lease" that would give the private university near-total control of the publicly owned stadium.

A USC spokesman said the administrator who spoke to Parks, Thomas Sayles, was traveling and not available for an interview. In emailed statements, Sayles, USC's senior vice president for university relations, said the school is "open to discussions on a mutually beneficial arrangement" regarding an NFL team.

The article continues...

Parks, who also sits on the Coliseum's governing commission, said he would oppose such a lease, believing that it would allow USC to keep other events out of the stadium, such as soccer games, Fourth of July celebrations and even a third Olympic Games. "I do not believe that I could realistically turn over a public facility to a private institution," he said.

But he added that "for some time we have believed that having a master lease is in the best long-term interests of the community and the university."

Would Southern California consider rejecting an NFL team's bid to play at the Coliseum? For a program that hasn't exactly had the best last few years in terms of both public and media relations, it probably is not a good idea to protest against a potential incoming team that has the support of both the city and its citizens. 

Coliseum Commission President David Israel said he would be surprised if USC tried to deny the city an estimated tens of millions of dollars in annual business activity that would flow from a NFL-Coliseum partnership. If the Coliseum is ruled out, a new NFL team would most likely take up temporary residence at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, a city that has remained on the sidelines in the most recent drive to bring a team to L.A.

"Is USC going to try to leverage something that could create a lot of jobs in the city of Los Angeles to their own ends?" Israel asked. "Is that a wise thing to do in the long term to their neighbors? I don't think it is."

One would have to agree with Mr. Israel. This is likely a ploy to get an extended lease and extra money by USC. A lot of funding would have to go around should a new NFL team move to Los Angeles and everyone would be looking to cash in on this opportunity, USC included. And there's nothing wrong with that. It's a business and a large profit is the ultimate goal.

An interesting story, though it is tough to imagine USC refusing to allow a new team to use their Coliseum while they wait for the new downtown stadium to be built.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Los Angeles for any and all breaking news surrounding the new football stadium.

• almost 2 years ago
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NFL In Los Angeles: Main Candidates Are Chargers, Vikings, Bills, Raiders, 49ers, Rams, Jaguars

With the NFL Stadium in Los Angeles looking like it's closer to reality, it's time to look at some potential teams that are potential possibilities for movement. There are seven likely targets according to Arash Markazi of ESPN Los Angeles. Let's examine the prospects of each of them moving.

Least likely: San Francisco 49ers and Jacksonville Jaguars

The 49ers have a stadium plan in place in Santa Clara, and at the moment appear committed to moving in the direction of leaving the Bay Area. The Jaguars might not be the most profitable team based on their current location, but owner Wayne Weaver refuses to entertain the notion of Jacksonville moving west.

Somewhat likely: Oakland Raiders, St. Louis Rams

Both of these teams have aging stadiums, but both of these owners have entrenched roots in their respective locations. It would be surprising if either Al Davis or Stan Kroenke decided to leave their situations in the Bay Area and St. Louis, particularly Davis, who is entrenched in the East Bay.

Most likely: San Diego Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills

Ralph Wilson is in his nineties, and it's unlikely that his successors (whoever they may be) will be able to resist the allure of the West Coast. The Vikings too are facing trouble in publicly funding a stadium. However, the most likely candidate of all of them appears to be the Chargers, who have an aging stadium, fragile ownership, and a city that is unlikely to foot the bill for a new stadium. Expect AEG to go hard after their neighbors to the South.

For more on the NFL in LA situation, stick to SB Nation Los Angeles.

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New Stadium In Los Angeles: City Council Votes Unanimous In Favor Of Stadium

The quest to bring an NFL team to Los Angeles took a big step forward on Tuesday afternoon as the city council voted in unanimous favor of a new stadium. It would be built next next to the Staples Center should construction begin.

The city has been pushing for both a new team and arena for quite a while now and these latest developments can only mean good things. With the support of both the council and local residents, it appears that the NFL could be returning to LA within a few years. There are quite a few hurdles to still jump, though.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Los Angels for complete coverage of any and all updates surrounding the new stadium.

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NFL Stadium In Los Angeles: City Council Committee Agrees To AEG Plan

Is the NFL on the verge of finally returning to Los Angeles? The LA City Council committee ratified the AEG Plan and should send it for a final vote in upcoming days.