Two weeks ago, we sparked a flurry of reports and quotes and boasts and ultimately concerns regarding the return of the NFL to Los Angeles, reporting that the league believes one or two teams will move there within the next 12-24 months.
Of the three teams viewed as the most likely to move -- the Rams, Raiders, and Chargers -- the team viewed by the NFL as most likely to make the move is the Rams.
If it’s the Rams, the most likely location for a new stadium becomes the land owner Stan Kroenke purchased last year at Hollywood Park. AEG’s proposed downtown stadium is believed to hinge on owner Philip Anschutz purchasing a significant piece of the anchor tenant.
The Rams currently have a year-to-year arrangement at the Edward Jones Dome. They can leave without financial consequence after the coming season, and every season thereafter.
The powers-that-be in St. Louis reportedly are working on a proposal of a new open-air stadium in St. Louis. It could be a legitimate effort to keep the team. Or it could be an effort to diffuse criticism that the local politicians didn’t try hard enough to keep him.
But what about San Diego’s threat to oppose the relocation of any team to the L.A. market? Per a league source, those concerns likely would be resolved, possibly with the Chargers getting a larger slice of the relocation fee than other teams receive.