We wrote yesterday how the proposed Rams-Chargers stadium project in Inglewood was gaining traction around the NFL, but it appears that’s not the case. Today the NFL’s six-owner Committee on Los Angeles Opportunites recommended the Carson site, which is the San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders potential home base, to build a to $1.7 billion stadium sources told ESPN’s Eric D. Williams.
I can confirm that the NFL owners committee for Los Angeles opportunities recommended the Carson site. The… https://t.co/FZemr0APiK
— Eric Williams (@eric_d_williams) January 12, 2016
The Orange County Register reported the committee voted 5-1 on the recommendation with Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt being the no vote.
The move doesn’t guarantee approval of the project, as a meeting will still be held in Houston to discuss the potential relocation. The move must be approved by 24 of the NFL’s 32 owners – a three-quarters approval.
This puts the Rams in a tricky position, as owner Stan Kroenke proposed to build a $1.86 billion stadium in Inglewood, California. While that proposal isn’t off the table by any means, this isn’t great news for the organization. Kroenke is doing his best to pitch his case with other owners, saying the Raiders-Charger’s agreement could be collusion.
Hearing Stan Kroenke told owners this morning not to cross him; believes there would be collusion if chose Carson with Chargers-Raiders.
— Howard Balzer (@HBalzer721) January 12, 2016
The owner of the San Diego Chargers Dean Spanos said himself he wasn’t partnering with Kroenke.
Chargers owner Dean Spanos on if he's open to teaming with Rams owner Stan Kroenke in Inglewood: "Right now, my focus is Carson."
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) January 12, 2016
There’s been a ton of mixed singles regarding who’s in the lead, however.
Talking LA relocation on @NFLHQ from Houston: An owner told me last night: "It's obvious, isn't it?" Momentum building for #Rams–#Chargers
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 12, 2016
So the recommendation is one of the first big steps in deciding the relocation of franchises to L.A., but nothing it set in stone yet. We’ll update the story when we know more.
