HOUSTON, Texas — For 21 years, Los Angeles, California, has not had its own professional football team. Many have tried to bring a team to the county, but one plan after another has collapsed.
Now, at last, the wait is over. On Tuesday a group of National Football League owners voted to allow the St. Louis Rams to leave Missouri and move to Los Angeles for the 2016 season. The owners also voted to give the San Diego Chargers an option to join the Rams in Inglewood, a city in the greater Los Angeles area.
The Rams' new home will be on the site of the old Hollywood Park racetrack in Inglewood. It will be the league’s biggest stadium. Due to open in 2019, it could end up costing as much as $3 billion.
The NFL owners met in a hotel to vote on rival proposals. In finding a way to return professional football to Los Angeles, they succeeded where a succession of local leaders and billionaires had failed.
The owners voted on two proposals. Both involved relocating two teams to cities in Los Angeles County, with both sets of teams to share a newly built stadium. One proposed plan was to move the Chargers and the Oakland Raiders to Carson. The other plan was to move the Rams and a team to be determined to Inglewood.
Chargers Are Likely Partner For Rams
In the end, the Inglewood proposal won out, 30-2. The Chargers were named as the team likely to share the new stadium with the Rams.
Forging the deal meant bringing together Rams owner Stan Kroenke and Chargers owner Dean Spanos. Spanos previously favored the Carson plan, and the two men had resisted a partnership for the better part of last year.
Developers envision transforming the 298-acre Inglewood site into a multibillion-dollar entertainment, shopping and housing site. The stadium and a performing arts venue will be the centerpiece of the site.
The new stadium will have 70,240 seats. For large events, it will also be able to add an extra 30,000 people in standing-room-only areas.
In addition to regular season games, the stadium is expected to host special events such as college basketball’s Final Four and the NFL Pro Bowl. Designers plan to make the building 175 feet tall.
Temporary Home In Coliseum
The design calls for a roof with an area over the playing field made of a strong transparent material. The stadium will be open on the sides, to let in air.
Until the stadium is complete, the Rams are expected to play temporarily at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. If the Chargers join them, it is unclear where they will play, though the NFL says Angel Stadium, Dodger Stadium and the Rose Bowl are all possible choices.
In the last several days, fellow owners worked behind the scenes to bring Kroenke and Spanos together. Their new agreement allows them to be equal partners in the Inglewood stadium. Right now, the only shared stadium in the NFL is in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which is home to the New York Giants and Jets.
The NFL’s long absence from Los Angeles was not for lack of trying. There were dozens of proposals for new stadiums, to be built in a range of locations throughout Los Angeles and Orange counties.
Multiple Plans, Without Success
There were numerous plans for stadiums in downtown Los Angeles, none of which got off the ground. As the failed plans piled up, the city's quest became so seemingly hopeless that the NFL’s return to the city became a running joke.
Four mayors and numerous other political leaders tried to bring football back to Los Angeles, with no luck. There were plans by high-powered businessmen such as Eli Broad, Peter O’Malley, Ed Roski and Casey Wasserman. Even stars like Garth Brooks, Tom Cruise and Magic Johnson lent their names to various failed efforts.
Over two years, more than half the league’s 32 teams were linked to plans to move to Los Angeles.
Momentum Changed With Land Purchase
Things finally changed in January 2014, when Kroenke bought 60 acres of land for an estimated $101 million next to 238 acres of the Hollywood Park site. The Hollywood Park site is owned by San Francisco-based developer Stockbridge Capital.
Later in 2014, Kroenke and Stockbridge Capital agreed to combine their properties and work together on a mixed-used development with the stadium at the center. The site’s developers say between 125 and 150 architects have been working full-time since mid-2014 on the stadium project. The plan was designed by the architectural firm HKS Inc.
All of the site’s previous structures have been demolished except for the casino. Even that building will be torn down once its replacement is finished nearby.
Developers have said stadium construction can start as quickly as two weeks after they receive league approval.
I think it was a great move by the the
ReplyDeleteRams front office. It is a booming industry in LA compared to St. Louis. They already have a massive fan base down there since they were in LA a while back. The article states,"For 21 years, Los Angeles, California, has not had its own professional football team." And in my opinion the Rams are the best fit for Los Angeles. But for the Chargers to move it would not be to smart. Nobody wants them to move and all the LA fans only want the Rams or the Raiders. I think the Chargers should stay in San Diego and the Raiders should get a new stadium in Oakland.
I think it was a bold, yet strong decision for the Rams to move to Los Angeles. Los Angeles has wanted a NFL team for "21 years" now and are very excited for the Rams to come to town. The revenue that the Rams will accumulate will be astonishing. The excitement around LA for the team to be there is crazy and everybody will be at the games. I think that the Chargers should stay in San Diego, as should the Raiders in Oakland. The Rams will be very happy in Los Angeles.
ReplyDeleteCameron Stone -- P6
ReplyDeleteMoving the Rams to Los Angeles is a shock to the sports world, but a necessary change in order to keep the franchise profitable. Los Angeles provides a perfect home for an NFL team. They have people, resources, and most importantly, a lot of money. Although it "could end up costing as much as $3 billion", the revenue produced from ticket sales and TV endorsements will quickly gain that money back. I believe that in the end, this will me a net positive move for both the Rams and the city of Los Angeles.
I think this is an awesome idea if only one team was going to be moving to the stadium. Stadiums usually only have one home team. For example the Raiders have their own stadium. In my opinion, stadiums are meant for one major team. The only downside to this stadium is some fans have to travel further and it will cost about $3 billion to build ( Sweet welcome home: Rams football ).
ReplyDeleteI think that it is a great idea for the Rams to move to Los Angeles. In the long run I believe it will generate more cash flow in a huge town that provides all the necessities of a booming business/franchise. Sharing a stadium with another NFL team is great move because it will save the Rams owner money in the long run of things.
ReplyDeleteAlexis Miller period 6
Despite not living in LA, I have been waiting to see an NFL team there for years. I always figured the Rams and the Raiders would move back and was shocked to find the Raiders staying in Oakland. The Rams will likely be able to draw in a decent profit solely due to their location and not by their ability to play football well. It is nice that the Raiders are staying local for me though.
ReplyDeleteIt seems entirely appropriate that Rams move to Los Angeles. With a convenient location any money issues should rapidly begin to disappear.
ReplyDeleteIt seems wonderful that the NFL is returning to LA and should bring more tourist attraction to the city as well. The plan they have to share this plot should also save quite a bit of money for the team. Overall its a great idea.
i agree with finally giving los angeles a team but i really hop that san diego does not move there team. "Now, at last, the wait is over. On Tuesday a group of National Football League owners voted to allow the St. Louis Rams to leave Missouri and move to Los Angeles for the 2016 season. The owners also voted to give the San Diego Chargers an option to join the Rams in Inglewood, a city in the greater Los Angeles area." this shows how they are giving the chargers a chance to move there team and i think that only one team should move not the san diego chargers they should stay where they are.
ReplyDeletei agree with finally giving los angeles a team but i really hop that san diego does not move there team. "Now, at last, the wait is over. On Tuesday a group of National Football League owners voted to allow the St. Louis Rams to leave Missouri and move to Los Angeles for the 2016 season. The owners also voted to give the San Diego Chargers an option to join the Rams in Inglewood, a city in the greater Los Angeles area." this shows how they are giving the chargers a chance to move there team and i think that only one team should move not the san diego chargers they should stay where they are.
ReplyDeleteI think that it was a great decision by the "Rams" football team to move to Los Angeles. I think that it will bring more people to this city and lots of people to watch the games. "For 21 years, Los Angeles, California, has not had its own professional football team. Many have tried to bring a team to the county, but one plan after another has collapsed." This quote is talking about how they have not had a team playing there city and representing their city. "Until the stadium is complete, the Rams are expected to play temporarily at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. If the Chargers join them, it is unclear where they will play, though the NFL says Angel Stadium, Dodger Stadium and the Rose Bowl are all possible choices." They will be soon be building a stadium for them.
ReplyDelete~Kyle Haroldsen P.4
I think bringing the Rams to Los Angeles is a really good idea, especially money wise. It will attract more people to Los Angeles, but a couple downsides to this is that fans have to travel further to see them play as well as the the cost to build a new stadium. Overall, im excited to hear that a stadium is finally going to be built in LA and LA can get the stadium they have been wanting for years now, considering for ,"over two years, more than half the league’s 32 teams were linked to plans to move to Los Angeles" (Sweet Welcome Home: Rams Football).
ReplyDeleteI love that the Rams are relocating to L.A. I think this is exciting for the league to have something different and will give the Ram's organization a breath of fresh air. I also think that since L.A. hasn't had an NFL team in 21 years it would be great for the NFL and the city of L.A. as well. "There were numerous plans for stadiums in downtown Los Angeles, none of which got off the ground" (Los Angeles Times), I feel like this time since the NFL has already decided to relocate it will definitely not be a failure this time around. Ryan Brown Period 2
ReplyDeleteBringing the Rams to Los Angeles is a great move by the NFL. It comes with many benefits, but also a lot of pressure. The city of LA is tough, because the people there don't want a team that looses. With that in mind, if the Rams win LA will instantly fall in love. The NFL will also make more money in LA, due to a brand new audience. I agree with the comment above because i feel that it will be benefical to the NFL
ReplyDeleteI think that NFL has made a smart decision to move the Rams to Los Angeles. It will definitely attract a crowd of football fans. I think that it's good for them to relocate and get a fresh start in a new area. The new stadium will also be a great addition to the city of Los Angeles.
ReplyDeleteKate Green-Jones Per 4
I believe that it was a bold and good move by the organization of the Rams to move to Los Angeles. As stated in the article, "It has been 21 years since LA has had a NFL team" I think it was smart for them to move down there. I also believe that it'll be good for people of the southern Californa region to see them play more as before it would have been a long trip. Hopefully the Rams have a bright future in their new hometown of LA.
ReplyDeleteFinally, the Rams are back. It makes complete sense to have a team or two there. Los Angeles is one of the biggest markets in the country. "The city's quest became so seemingly hopeless that the NFL’s return to the city became a running joke" (Los Angeles Times). There is no reason why it should have even taken this long to get a team back in L.A. I cannot wait to see how the plan unfolds and how the new stadium will be.
ReplyDeleteI love that the Rams are finally coming back to LA. It was a very smart decision by their front office considering LA is a much better market than St. Louis and the people of Los Angeles have been longing for a team there for over 20 years. The article states that "the Chargers are a likely partner for the Rams." However, I don't want the Chargers to move there. If there was going to be a second team to be there, it should be the Raiders because they were the symbol of Los Angeles in the early 90s. They would already have a huge fan base. I'm a 49ers fan, so it's good to see the Rams back in LA where they belong. Now the NFC West finally makes sense.
ReplyDeleteI am extremely happy that the Rams are back. I have always been a fan of them, but my dad is a die hard Rams fan. LA has needed a team for a long time now, and it is about time. This will attract a lot of fans and Los Angeles has a strong culture. The article states, "The city's quest became so seemingly hopeless that the NFL's return to the city became a running joke" (Los Angeles Times) and I think it took too long for L.A. to get a team again. I'm a proud man.
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI think it is a great change for LA. It has been a while since they had an NFL team. The NFL owners "...voted to allow the St. Louis Rams to leave Missouri and move to Los Angeles for the 2016 season" (Los Angeles Times). It is a great way to represent California even more. Even though, there is a great debate about who will be sharing stadiums, it gives California a good impression on the rest of the country.
ReplyDeleteI think it is a great change and a bold move for the Rams to move back into Las Angeles. " the cities quest became so seemingly hopeless that the NFL's return to the city became a running joke." ( Las Angeles Times) It also good for them because Las Angeles is large and there's lots of people so I will be good for everyone. I'm not a Rams fan but I can I say I'm impressed and pleased to see a nfl team in Las Angeles. Can't wait to see how good the stadium looks.
ReplyDeleteChristian Hudson
Period 2
The rams moving to Los Angeles is a huge accomplishment for the NFL. "For 21 years, Los Angeles, California, has not had its own professional football team" (Sweet Welcome Home). One of the biggest cities in the United States had gone without a football team for 21 years because people could not reach agreements to make it possible. Finally, the NFL did what other could not and came up with a plan that everyone agreed upon and executed it. This is not only a great example for other teams in the NFL, but also society as it shows that cooperation tends to create success.
ReplyDeleteAmar Dhillon Period 4
I believe this is a great change for the city of LA. One of th biggest cities in the U.S. had went without a NFL team because of problems with the people there. I personally is a big rams fan as my dad liked them when they first played in LA and he carried on that legacy of being a rams fan to me. The city of LA finally could make an agreement and this was a good bold move made by the rams to go back to LA. I am very excited to have them move closer here and I can´t wait to see how it turns out.
ReplyDeleteI believe this is a great change for the city of LA. One of th biggest cities in the U.S. had went without a NFL team because of problems with the people there. I personally is a big rams fan as my dad liked them when they first played in LA and he carried on that legacy of being a rams fan to me. The city of LA finally could make an agreement and this was a good bold move made by the rams to go back to LA. I am very excited to have them move closer here and I can´t wait to see how it turns out.
ReplyDeleteI am really happy that they chose the Rams and possibly the Chargers for the move to LA. I am an Oakland Raiders fan and did not want them to leave Oakland. I love going to Raider games but if they moved to LA, I wouldve been mad. I think its good for LA after it has been 21 years since have not had its own professional football team" (Los Angeles Times). LA is one the countries most attracted cities so it would be good for them to get a football team.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is really cool that the Rams moved to LA. More people will become Rams fans and it will be interesting to see who those people may be. LA is a great place for a football team since it is such a big city and there are so many people that live there. This also puts pressure on the Rams being good next season with all of the publicity about them moving.
ReplyDeleteKyle Brown P.6
It's good that they are finally getting a team back, for such a big city to not have the biggest sport in the United States in it is astounding. The citizens of L.A. have been waiting for this for awhile now and they deserve it. "For 21 years, Los Angeles, California, has not had its own professional football team. Many have tried to bring a team to the county, but one plan after another has collapsed."
ReplyDeleteI think that having the Rams move to LA is a great idea, especially money wise. LA is a big city that will bring a lot of money of that team. LA has been needing a team for a long time now, and i think this is a great opportunity for the Rams to have a fresh start. Also the Rams are probably the best fit for LA because there is not a big industry in St.Louis and it would be a very big change for them.
ReplyDeleteAdrianne Mahlman period 6
I think the idea to move a team to Los Angeles was a great idea because with as much money as LA has they should host a team. I think the rams were the best team to move and they should be joined by the Chargers because they are local down south. The rams will benefit from this because they are starting fresh and I think they will have better success in LA rather than St. Louis. P.2
ReplyDeleteI think that it is a good idea for the Rams to return to LA. This is a huge change in sports history and would be a very memorable moment for the Rams to return to where they started. For a long time, a huge city like LA hasn't had a national football team there. This is a good change for the NFL and the Rams fan base is going to grow even larger now. For the Rams, they will be making more money for moving to LA because LA is a higher populated city than St. Louis. Overall, it is good for the Rams to return to LA again.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Matt Hodgson completely, the team should move back to L.A. as it would increase the profits of that area more, and increase the popularity of the team as it is moving to a larger area.
ReplyDeleteI think this is an awesome idea if only one team was going to be moving to the stadium. Stadiums usually only have one home team.And this finally solves the problem of not having an NFL team. i mean come on, One of the biggest cities in the U.S. had went without a NFL team because of problems with the people there, whats up with that. but seriously its great that they moved in.
ReplyDeleteIt seems entirely appropriate that Rams move to Los Angeles. With a convenient location any money issues should rapidly begin to disappear.
ReplyDeleteIt seems wonderful that the NFL is returning to LA and should bring more tourist attraction to the city as well. The plan they have to share this plot should also save quite a bit of money for the team. Overall its a great idea.
I think it is a bad idea for the Rams to move to Los Angeles.
ReplyDeleteIt is a bad idea because now Los Angeles has to build a new stadium for the Rams and chargers to play for NFL.This will cost the taxpayers $3 billion dollars. It is waste of taxpayer money,and to much money spend on a field and a sport s team.