However, he also stated that even if St. Louis, San Diego and Oakland all put together viable and certain stadium projects, there is no guarantee those markets would keep their teams.
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“I’m in favor of making sure this is done the correct way”, said Goodell, who conceded the league would like to “make a decision as soon as possible” but is still weighing the merit of proposals in Southern California as well as progress toward new facilities in St. Louis, San Diego and Oakland. Only St. Louis is close to having a stadium plan that has certainty, and local officials there believe a vote from the city’s Board of Alderman can be accomplished by December 18 that would approve the final piece of public financing for a $1 billion riverfront stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt sees these meetings as essential in figuring out just what to do about Los Angeles. That would be one of many factors owners would consider when determining whether a relocation-minded owner had satisfied the league’s guidelines to move a franchise. “The owners don’t want to damage a franchise in relocating teams”.
“He was willing to propose an equity ownership, 50-50 ownership in the stadium – that they would be equal partners in the stadium”, Goodell said.
His deal could consist of a 50-50 split of the cost to build the $1.86-billion stadium as well as evenly splitting the revenue from it. The owners hope to set a vote deadline during these meetings for the teams to apply for relocation, and for the owners to vote on allowing either one or two clubs to move. Oakland Raiders owner, Mark Davis, shared a chuckle with Kroenke outside of the meeting but has repeatedly said he was committed to his partnership with Spanos.
Teams need 75 percent support, or the backing of 24 of the 32 team owners, to be approved for relocation. Sensing defeat, Kroenke sent a letter to Goodell to let him know that he was now willing to share the stadium with either the Raiders or the Chargers. That process also could be streamlined by the NFL’s competition committee before next season based on the input of the blue-ribbon panel Goodell is assembling. “That’s a core focus”.
The league will formally accept re-location proposals beginning January 4, Goodell said.
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“I’ve lost all my psychic powers”, he said, “especially regarding this subject”.
