The Star Wars Stormtrooper transport ship that is the proposed Carson, CA NFL stadium (above) is about to get a tenant, or possibly two, pending owner approval. But who will it be?
The Chargers, 3-to-1. Ironically the Chargers wanted to stay in San Diego, and only applied to move because they were afraid of another team moving in to LA would dilute their fan base. Also San Diego is unwilling to build them a new stadium with taxpayer funds.
The Rams, 5-to-1. Stan Kroenke’s proposed $1.1 billion stadium plan in Inglewood was voted down by the NFL’s six-member relocation committee this morning, but that doesn’t mean that owners won’t vote for his team to move. And just when I finally got used to calling them the St. Louis Rams. Also, the Carson vote is a recommendation, not carved in stone.
The Raiders, 20-1. Reports are that owners feel that a team in LA and another in San Diego would be over-saturation, so the Chargers are likely to be approved to move. And the Rams have a good case to move as well, being that Kroenke says he won’t accept a recent St. Louis proposal for a new stadium there. That leaves Oakland in third place, and owners won’t vote for three teams in LA.
So earlier today the NFL’s six-member relocation committee recommended that the new stadium proposal in Carson would be the one to host one (or possibly two) of the above franchises, should they move to LA. That’s pending owner approval. That leaves the Inglewood project, proposed by Rams owner Kroenke, as the odd man out.
However, Kroenke says he might go ahead with his proposed stadium, no matter what the owners decide. And since he’s burned his bridges in St. Louis, it’s possible that the Rams and Chargers could be chosen to share the Carson stadium. The stadium proposal was crafted with the idea of the Chargers and Raiders sharing it.
Now comes the full ownership vote on which team (or teams) will be granted their walking papers. At least 24 of the 32 owners’ votes are needed for a team to relocate — and that vote is happening right now in Houston, assuming the pizzas and Mountain Dew have arrived.
Now hears the caution: Just because the LA committee recommends Carson, that does NOT mean it's approved. Lots of politics.
— Jason Cole (@JasonColeBR) January 12, 2016
If two teams go, NFL can reap relocation fees of $1 billion+ https://t.co/taraNo5Vcc
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) January 12, 2016
Ahead of the voting, let me remind that you that whatever LA proposal is approved, everyone who takes credit for being right is wrong.
— Ray Ratto (@RattoCSN) January 12, 2016
UPDATE:
NFL owners completed their first vote. Neither project got required 24, but Rams/TBD in Inglewood gets more votes than Carson.
— Nathan Fenno (@nathanfenno) January 12, 2016
As with any negotiation, no one shows their full hand until they have to. Deadlines spur deals. #LAcalling
— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) January 12, 2016
UPDATE:
Nice chat with Raiders superfan Dr. Death in the hotel restaurant. He's optimistic about the franchise staying in Oakland.
— Nathan Fenno (@nathanfenno) January 12, 2016
@nathanfenno well he is a doctor
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) January 12, 2016
UPDATE:
Welp. Limo line to take #Rams Kroenke home? Before a vote is completed. Drama… https://t.co/Z5nJCXmHGf
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) January 12, 2016