In the latest development to signal an NFL team -- or teams -- relocating to Los Angeles, the league initiated on Thursday the process to secure temporary stadiums in Southern California while a permanent stadium in Inglewood or Carson gets built, per Chris Hardart, the NFL's vice president of corporate development. The development was first reported by the Los Angeles Times.
The known sites receiving requests were the Rose Bowl, in Pasadena, and the L.A. Coliseum, in downtown Los Angeles, but the league has also looked at other sites ahead of next year. Among those discussed have been Dodger Stadium, Angel Stadium of Anaheim and StubHub Center in Carson, according to a league source.
The league didn't put a deadline on proposals coming back, but it would like to have material to present to the owners on temporary sites for their special meeting on Los Angeles, set for August in Chicago. The goal is for the league to negotiate with sites in the coming months, and perhaps even select a site and have it ready for a team before a move is even announced, to get ahead of potential scheduling and logistical conflicts.
The proposals will be expected to have standard information on a stadium's assets (club seating, suites, etc.), scheduling constraints and rent.
Also, multiple venues could be needed if two teams relocate to Los Angeles. UCLA plays its games in the Rose Bowl; USC, the L.A. Coliseum. If two teams move to L.A., then having three teams play at one temporary site might not be feasible.
There also could be conflicts with stadium availability on particular dates that would have to be fleshed out.
Hardart said that there is no hard timetable for when a temporary home must be finalized. However, the league would like to have an indication of things when league owners meet in August. A firm decision is desired at some point this fall.
Teams having to play in temporary stadiums is not uncommon. The Vikings played last season and will play this season at the University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium while a new NFL stadium is being built in downtown Minneapolis.
When the Titans -- then named the Oilers -- relocated, they played one season at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis and another at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville while a permanent stadium was built.
