A Los Angeles City Council committee Wednesday moved to launch a formal working group and trigger an independent financial analysis to review AEG's plans to construct an NFL stadium next to the downtown Los Angeles Convention Center. AEG President Tim Leiweke was well received in his first presentation before a Los Angeles City Council committee, telling Chair Janice Hahn of the council's Trade, Commerce and Tourism Committee and Councilman Tom LaBonge of plans to build a possible Super Bowl site capable of being the home to two NFL teams. "The case to bring a team here is a great case," Hahn said. After the meeting, Hahn said there was reason to move on the massive project expeditiously. "We get a better convention center out of this, more hotel rooms, more tourism; that's an increase to our general fund," she said. "We want all hands on deck." AEG's plans for a privately financed $1-billion, 64,000-seat stadium include the need for $350 million in city-approved bonds, which Leiweke said would be repaid with a seat tax, "the same thing we do at Staples," he said. "We are beginning a process officially today to bring forth a vision that will bring the NFL back to Los Angeles ... a catalyst to the largest downtown development in Los Angeles, with 20,000 to 30,000 jobs created," Leiweke said. "We're up and running," said Councilwoman Jan Perry, who attended the meeting. Leiweke said AEG Chairman Philip Anschutz was supportive of moving toward stadium construction as the company sought corporate sponsorship, such as stadium naming rights, and engaged the NFL and league owners who were "in need of a new stadium." "We are aware of [the city's] budget issues," Leiweke said. "It's a true no-risk to the city, the citizens and the general fund." Leiweke declined to say whom precisely he was talking to, although the San Diego Chargers and Minnesota Vikings are believed to be the leading candidates. "We'll be bringing a team to L.A.," Leiweke said. "[The NFL] encouraged us to jump in, they believe this is the best location. ... We have spent time with teams looking for a new stadium. There are one or two teams ready to move. Mr. Anschutz believes a team will come if we build it. At least one team will come if we build it. We wouldn't be acting if we weren't encouraged by those men." Source: Los Angeles Times
The Chargers and Vikings....those teams are dying for new stadium deals. I could see the Jaguars in that mix too.
I think the Jaguars have a pretty significant buyout on their lease, but I can't find the information off hand. The Jaguars also might be cheaper to purchase, so it may be a moot point.
Chargers would be the best bet, since it wouldn't really affect anything as far as the divisions and conferences go.
Two reasons: 1.) Los Angeles is the second biggest sports market in the country behind New York City. 2.) Money
I hope its not the Vikings, not only as a fan of the team, but as a NFL fan. I don't think it would be good to split up the oldest division, all four NFC North teams have been together since the Vikings entered the league in 1961. The NFC North has also been one of the most competitive divisions, with the Vikings, Bears, and Packers having 3 of the top 5 winning percentages of all time.
I think if the Vikings move to LA, that wouldn't mean they have to realign the divisions. You have the Rams and Cheifs in western divisions and they are not on the west coast. The Cowboys are in the NFC East and they are in Texas. The Colts are in the AFC South and Indy is farther to the north than Baltimore and cincinatti.
But having the L.A. Vikings.....in California.....remaining a "northern" team wouldn't make much sense imo.
Not re-aligning the divisions would mean over 1700 miles from the nearest divisional opponent. No other team has to travel close to that distance to get to all of their opponents.
It is almost the same distance for St louis to go Seattle or San francisco. KC also has a long distance to Oakland and San Diego. If the Vikings moved there I wouldnt be too surprised if they stayed in the NFC north. If they realigned the divisions, the easiest thing to do is to put the Vikings in the west and the Rams in the north, but that screws up a lot of rivalries. That is the only reason I don't see that happening. Personally I would rather see the Chargers go there.
