The NFL yesterday reminded all 32 teams that the league "as a whole -- and not an individual club -- will make the major decisions regarding relocation," according to Sam Farmer of the L.A. TIMES. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in a memo "announced the new Committee on Los Angeles Opportunities," consisting of the Chiefs' Clark Hunt, Patriots' Robert Kraft, Giants' John Mara, Texans' Bob McNair, Panthers' Jerry Richardson and Steelers' Art Rooney II. Although the memo "does not specifically name" the Rams, Chargers or Raiders, it is "clearly a reminder to them that the league has no intention of straying from protocol and allowing a club to unilaterally decide to move and begin construction of a stadium in the L.A. area." The NFL "does not have a strong history of successfully blocking teams from relocating," as teams that have moved typically have "either been successful in litigation or have reached settlements with the league enabling them to stay." However, since the Raiders and Rams left L.A. after the '94 season, the league "has strengthened its relocation guidelines." If a team "were to move without the league’s blessing," the NFL could "withhold stadium financing and choose not to award Super Bowls to the new venue as a disincentive." However, an owner who "went rogue and moved would not necessarily be subject to a relocation fee." Sources said that Rams Owner Stan Kroenke "would not be inclined" to move without the NFL's consent (L.A. TIMES, 2/10). The AP's Andrew Dalton noted Goodell's action "comes about a month after a development group that includes a company controlled" by Kroenke "announced plans to build an 80,000-seat stadium" in the L.A. suburbs. That plan is the "latest in a string of stadium proposals" in the L.A. area since the '94 exit of the Rams and Raiders (AP, 2/9).
NEXT ON THE AGENDA: In California, Scott Reid notes in addition to "evaluating stadium location options and overseeing the application of relocation guidelines," the committee also will "coordinate with NFL broadcasting, finance, stadium and management council executive committees." The L.A. situation has "received increased attention within the league in recent months." NFL Exec VP/Business Ventures Eric Grubman, the league’s point man on L.A., said that he hopes the situation "will be resolved" before Super Bowl 50. L.A. is "expected to be a primary topic of discussion at the NFL meetings next month" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 2/10).
