Momentum builds for a Rams-Chargers relocation to Inglewood

The NFL could be returning to Los Angeles in a matter of days, as NFL Owners are gathering today and the next couple of days to look over the three relocation proposals. As the voting day is getting closer, momentum is building for the St. Louis Rams and San Diego Chargers to share a stadium in Inglewood.

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Multiple league officials and owners not involved with the Inglewood project, or the competing proposal in Carson, say there is momentum to pair the two franchises in what one owner describes as a “transformational” project backed by the Rams. In a matter of days, can the Rams and Chargers be returning back to Los Angeles?

From the start, the Chargers and the Oakland Raiders wanted to build a stadium in Carson and thus far Chargers owner Dean Spanos has stood his agreement with Raiders owner Mark Davis. However if more NFL owners are leaning towards a team joining the Rams in Inglewood, would Spanos jump ship and join the Stan Kroenke project?

As for Kroenke, his focused is all on his Inglewood project. Kroenke even took some time to tear about the St. Louis’ proposal. In his application he talked about the attendance, and future for the Rams. 

Moreover, despite “significant” investments in the team, game attendance “has been well below the League’s average,” Kroenke continued in the league submission, obtained late Tuesday by the Post-Dispatch.

And the local plan to build a $1.1 billion riverfront stadium? “Any NFL Club that signs on to this proposal in St. Louis will be well on the road to financial ruin, and the League will be harmed,” the application said. There also has been reports that the mayor of Inglewood is going to build the stadium regardless of the vote this week. 

With the owners gathering this week, reports have also come out of their views already. One influential owner whose preference has not been apparent in public or private, touted Inglewood over Carson, saying “the deals aren’t even close.”

It is extremely rare for the NFL to devote a full day to a single topic, much less two or even three days in the middle of the playoffs. It shows how determined the NFL owners and Commissioner Roger Goodell are to reach an agreement on one of these proposals, or maybe a new proposal may come up and get the votes needed for relocation.

Three-quarters of owners must approve any franchise relocation. It is believed both projects have the nine votes to block the other, although that could be shifting in favor of the Rams after last week’s meetings of the finance, stadium and L.A. committees.

The idea of putting the Chargers and Rams in Inglewood has been floated for months and was formally proposed last week by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones in a one-page letter to Goodell. For Kroenke, I feel as if he will allow the Chargers to come along if it means bringing his Rams back home. Either way a deal will be done very shortly.

There’s a belief among some owners and league executives that Spanos would be willing to make a deal with Rams owner Stan Kroenke to share Inglewood if it were a 50-50 partnership that wouldn’t put the Chargers at an economic disadvantage.

There’s a sense that most owners want the Chargers and Rams in Inglewood, but aren’t sure of the best way to make it happen.

What will happen to the St. Louis Rams, Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers in the next couple of days? Comment below who should be returning back to Los Angeles!