Speculation has mounted in recent weeks that perhaps the "most palatable solution" for the NFL in L.A. would be the Chargers and Rams both playing at Rams Owner Stan Kroenke’s Inglewood stadium site, but a "forced marriage may not be easy," according to Jim Thomas of the ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH. The reasoning "goes deeper than general concerns about the Chargers being a Kroenke 'tenant' in Inglewood." Sources said that Chargers Chair Dean Spanos in '13 "approached Kroenke about pairing up" on the site. It is the "same general area" the Raiders and even the NFL itself had "previously considered as a stadium site." Sources said that Kroenke initially was "not aware the 60-acre tract owned by Wal-Mart was available." Spanos "didn’t hear back from Kroenke for weeks" and "later learned that Kroenke had excluded Spanos and purchased the land himself." Thomas writes it is "difficult to imagine Spanos wishing to now join forces with Kroenke in Inglewood" with this backstory in mind. Some believe that the "only way Spanos would now attempt to partner with Kroenke is if Spanos had no other stadium alternatives and some arrangements could be made to lessen any landlord-tenant status." It is "widely believed that Kroenke lacks the 24 necessary votes from the 32 league owners to approve a relocation" of the Rams. But the Rams "believe they have enough votes to block the Chargers (and Raiders) from gaining approval for their Carson stadium site" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 10/2). In California, Scott Reid notes the NFL during meetings next week in N.Y. will "go over its relocation guidelines, relocation fees and timing of potential moves" to the L.A. market. The league and its owners will also "discuss the issue of temporary facilities for teams relocating" to L.A. (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 10/2).
