It’s very early in the process for all three teams, and we could just as easily see these teams stay in their locations as we could see them move. We are sad to have reached this point.
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“We have tried for more than 14 years, through nine separate proposals and seven different mayors, to create a world-class stadium experience for fans in San Diego”, the Chargers said in a statement. The $1.7-billion venue would be built on a 157-acre parcel located on an old landfill adjacent to the 405 Freeway.
“This has been perhaps the single most hard decision that I’ve ever made, our family’s ever made in business”, Chargers owner Dean Spanos said.
“I think that is what really was the catalyst that got this whole thing going”, he said, “because when the Rams decided to make their move there, this was a move to protect our business more than anything. So we find ourselves where we do right now”.
The Rams also issued a statement.
One unofficial report said you take $200 million from the relocation fee and give it to the Chargers, doubling the league’s contribution to $400 million. In late December, the Bay Area News Group reported that the city of Oakland sent a report to A’s officials that included five potential ballpark sites in and around downtown Oakland. At least 24 of the 32 owners must vote “yes”.
The NFL, meanwhile, has said nothing to indicate which way it will rule for any of the teams. “I promise you it wasn’t an easy decision to come to but I’ve lived here 31 years of my life”. Weigh in on our Facebook page. The team left Oakland following the 1981 season before returning from Los Angeles in 1995. But the upgrade did not come through as the Denver Broncos secured first place in the AFC West with a victory over the San Diego Chargers.
What the league is left with, essentially, is a three-team, two-stadium race to a market in which there is room for just two teams and one stadium. It’s a three-team, two-stadium race that could get some resolution as soon as the January 12-13 owners meetings. None was compelling enough for any of the teams – and the league can not force an owner to accept a deal he or she doesn’t want.
However, the owners’ committee on Los Angeles opportunities, along with the league’s finance and stadium committee, will meet with the Chargers, Raiders and Rams on Wednesday and Thursday in NY. The fans have received me with open arms and I can feel the support here.
One year ago, Kroenke announced his plan to build a football stadium in the Los Angeles suburb of Inglewood.
The NFL has not had a team relocate since the Houston Oilers moved to Tennessee in 1997. “The matter is now in the hands of the NFL’s owners”, the Raiders added.
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Needless to say, there is a lot to discuss and decide if the National Football League wants to get back to Los Angeles in time for the 2016 season, as hoped. That includes ongoing negotiations with the Federal Aviation Administration to resolve the agency’s concerns that the stadium might interfere with radar at nearby Los Angeles International Airport.
