NFL stadiums aren't built in a day, which is why no teams made the move to Los Angeles in 2015.
According to USA TODAY Sports' report, however, the city already has stadiums that could be used for NFL games, which pushes the league that much closer to Los Angeles in 2016. But not all three teams with an eye for the city will get to move, if the NFL gets its wish.
"The league plans to soon begin talks with existing stadiums in the Los Angeles area in an effort to provide temporary housing for any team or teams that might relocate there, if any, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the situation."
According to the report, the Rose Bowl and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum are the leading candidates to host relocating teams while construction on permanent homes take place - a process that would take two or three years.
The publication also confirmed, however, that the NFL won't back new stadiums in Los Angeles.
"The NFL has said it will support only one new stadium and that it wants to be capable of housing two NFL franchises," the report says. "A decision on which teams do or don't move into which stadium could happen by January, depending in part on efforts in those teams' existing markets to build new stadiums for those teams there.
CBSSports.com reiterated that the Oakland Raiders appear certain to move, and the question is whether the San Diego Chargers or the St. Louis Rams will get to move with them.
Only the Chargers would have to pay a fee to get out of their current lease agreement, but the fee is no exorbitant, according to the report.
"All three teams could leave their current leases without a prohibitive penalty, creating a high-stakes three-way derby for two spots," USA TODAY reported. "If the Chargers decided to break their lease next year, they would owe the city of San Diego a termination fee of $15.2 million, an amount that decreases by about $3 million per year through 2020, according to their lease. The Raiders and Rams are on year-to-year leases in their current cities."
Which teams will play in Los Angeles in 2016? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.