Raiders, Chargers, Rams not moving to L.A. in 2015
204
-
- NFL Media Insider
- Published: Dec. 20, 2014 at 11:57 a.m.
- Updated: Dec. 21, 2014 at 12:56 a.m.
Despite earlier optimism that the NFL would put one or two teams
in Los Angeles in 2015, league sources say the chances of any team
filing a relocation application when the window opens on Jan. 1 are
between slim and none.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has informed the three eligible teams there will be no team in L.A. in 2015, according to league sources.
The Chargers made the announcement earlier in the week
that they are staying in San Diego next season, a clear sign that no
one would be there next season. Had they thought another team could move
to L.A. this year, they would've stayed in play. League sources
confirmed this, saying neither of the other two teams whose leases allow
them to move -- the Rams and the Raiders are the others -- will move this year.
Before the Raiders, the Rams or the Chargers bolt, the league decided the focus should be on finding the best site before finding the best team or teams for Los Angeles. There is no scenario that involves a team heading to Los Angeles in a temporary site and then figuring out a stadium later.
With that in mind, the spotlight now shines on three sites: Hollywood Park, where Rams owner Stan Kroenke owns land; Carson, California, which has 172 acres that has been scouted by at least two NFL teams; and AEG's site that would create a downtown stadium. Those spots have shown themselves to be the viable ones.
The Chargers said they'll stay in San Diego in 2015 but noted, "Calendar year 2015 will constitute the team's fourteenth year of work on a San Diego stadium solution." The urgency was evident.
Raiders owner Mark Davis emphasized to me earlier in the week "all our energy is going towards trying to stay in Oakland," and a one-year lease is their likely move now. Their lease for O.Co Coliseum runs out this year.
The Raiders
have, in under-the-radar fashion, closely aligned themselves with the
league when it comes to relocation. Davis has worked to build
relationships with other owners, paid off his father's debt for breaking
league rules and has been open-minded about all possibilities,
including being the second team to move to L.A. and doing so in a
league-owned stadium. The league would absolutely welcome a Davis-owned
team in L.A., if that's what all parties deemed best.
Meanwhile, the Rams, who have a deadline of Jan. 28 to decide if they are going to go year by year on their lease in St. Louis, expect to see a new stadium proposal in the next few weeks. It's also worth noting that the city chose not to unilaterally extend their lease for another 10 years, saying yes to the upgrade plans in the process, earlier in the year. That would've taken L.A. off the table for the Rams for a decade.
Now for the NFL, Los Angeles is essentially off the table for 2015.
Follow Ian Rapoport on Twitter @RapSheet.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast previews every Week 16 game and recaps the Jaguars' win over the Titans. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has informed the three eligible teams there will be no team in L.A. in 2015, according to league sources.
Before the Raiders, the Rams or the Chargers bolt, the league decided the focus should be on finding the best site before finding the best team or teams for Los Angeles. There is no scenario that involves a team heading to Los Angeles in a temporary site and then figuring out a stadium later.
With that in mind, the spotlight now shines on three sites: Hollywood Park, where Rams owner Stan Kroenke owns land; Carson, California, which has 172 acres that has been scouted by at least two NFL teams; and AEG's site that would create a downtown stadium. Those spots have shown themselves to be the viable ones.
The Chargers said they'll stay in San Diego in 2015 but noted, "Calendar year 2015 will constitute the team's fourteenth year of work on a San Diego stadium solution." The urgency was evident.
Raiders owner Mark Davis emphasized to me earlier in the week "all our energy is going towards trying to stay in Oakland," and a one-year lease is their likely move now. Their lease for O.Co Coliseum runs out this year.
Meanwhile, the Rams, who have a deadline of Jan. 28 to decide if they are going to go year by year on their lease in St. Louis, expect to see a new stadium proposal in the next few weeks. It's also worth noting that the city chose not to unilaterally extend their lease for another 10 years, saying yes to the upgrade plans in the process, earlier in the year. That would've taken L.A. off the table for the Rams for a decade.
Now for the NFL, Los Angeles is essentially off the table for 2015.
Follow Ian Rapoport on Twitter @RapSheet.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast previews every Week 16 game and recaps the Jaguars' win over the Titans. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.
Fan Discussion
Super-charged
The Chargers mounted an epic comeback Saturday
night, erasing a 21-point deficit to top the 49ers and stay in the
playoff chase. View
