As of Jan.1 NFL teams have been giving a six-week window to apply to move to Los Angeles, however, the president of Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), Tim Leiweke has already confirmed that no franchise has indicated serious interest in relocating to Los Angeles.
Just last year, the National Football League has asked that those teams who are interested in relocating to Los Angeles submit all applications starting January 1 to February 15, 2013.
AEG is still awaiting the start of construction to build a new football stadium called Farmers Field next to the convention center in downtown Los Angeles, which was approved back in September, but since no team has signed a lease, the project has been put on hold.
Based on an interview held on Monday, Leiweke seems to think that the delay for football franchise owners to move to L.A. is due to plans for AEG to be sold by its parent company.
“What I would guess … is that there is no club currently that’s going to file for a transfer simply because they are waiting to see what happens with our ownership situation,” Leiweke said. “I haven’t been made aware of any team that is going to file for a move in 2013.”
The Rams, Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars and the San Diego Chargers have been speculated as possible candidates to relocate to Los Angeles. Ironically, the Rams and Raiders were the last NFL teams to move from Los Angeles in 1995.
Out of all the teams, it seems that the Rams have had their share of disputes with the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission, so the Rams may be the most eager to relocate. Despite no deal being made yet with AEG and the Rams, the director of Bring Back the Los Angeles Rams hopes that they will reach a decision during the 2013 season.
“A lot of things would have to happen, but I think it’s possible,” Bateman said. “There is a time limit on Farmers Field; it can’t be dragged out forever.”
But he’s not the only one excited about the new project, the City Council are keeping their fingers crossed after approving AEG’s $1.5 billion stadium, an OK that took three months after receiving a letter from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Interesting enough AEG’s stadium is not the all project that is in development. Developer Ed Roski also plans to build a stadium in the City of Industry. There has also been buzz that the NFL may be interested in developing a football stadium at Dodger Stadium in Echo Park.
But as of now, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy had declined to comment on any possible teams expected to apply.
The idea of a possible NFL return to Los Angeles comes at a time where AEG is to be sold by the Anschutz Co. In September, AEG was listed for sale and is expected to get more than $6 billion.
“There are about a dozen individuals or companies that are now in the next stage,” Leiweke said, but hasn’t confirmed bid prices or who is even on the list.
With the spotlight on plans to develop a new football stadium, Leiweke is very much confident that the company will be sold within the first quarter of 2013.
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