Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones has "submitted an alternative resolution" ahead of an NFL relocation vote in Houston this week, calling for owners to approve the Chargers joining the Rams-backed stadium proposal in Inglewood, according to Scott Reid of the ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER. Allies of the Carson project view Jones' proposal as a "delaying tactic" by Rams Owner Stan Kroenke and his supporters and "part of a strategy in which NFL officials and key owners put pressure" on Chargers Chair Dean Spanos to agree to join the Rams in Inglewood. The Jones proposal "would likely require the league cutting a deal" with Raiders Owner Mark Davis, with one scenario being the league providing $100-200M on top of a $200M loan from a special stadium fund "for a new 50,000-seat venue in Oakland" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 1/10). In L.A., Vincent Bonsignore noted for now, it appears Spanos is "holding firm" with the stadium project in Carson with the Raiders (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 1/10). In Oakland, Matthew Artz cited sources as saying that several owners "continued to doubt whether the Raiders had the money and organizational capacity to succeed" in L.A. Carson project consultant Carmen Policy on Friday suggested that the Chargers "wouldn't rule out teaming up with the Rams -- as long as both teams played in Carson." He said of the possibility of the Chargers and Rams teaming up in Carson, "I don't know. You can't say never, never, never. But I would say that there is no way the Raiders or the Chargers want to go to Los Angeles and be in Inglewood" (OAKLAND TRIBUNE, 1/10).
A REAL POSSIBILITY: In N.Y., Gary Myers wrote, "I think the end result is the Rams and Chargers will become partners in Kroenke’s deal in Inglewood" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 1/11). In San Diego, Kevin Acee noted there are some who believe some sort of partnership between Spanos and Kroenke "will yet be brokered -- either in Houston or in the days following." An "effect of having that partnership forced on him could be that Spanos decides to give San Diego one more try." But the NFL "will not send a team back to its home market with no options" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 1/9). Also, in San Diego, Dan McSwain cited sources as saying that Disney Chair & CEO Bob Iger's team leading the Carson effort was "scheduled to meet this weekend with Kroenke’s team to explore a partnership." McSwain: "A Chargers-Rams deal seems more likely in Carson" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 1/10).
BATTLE OF HEAVYWEIGHTS: The REGISTER's Reid wrote if the NFL returns to L.A. after a "meandering and maddening journey covering parts of three decades," it will be "largely because of Kroenke’s boldness." Kroenke has done what Hollywood heavyweights "could not: force the NFL back" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 1/10). In St. Louis, Benjamin Hochman notes the future of the NFL in St. Louis "could come down to" Spanos. This week, people will "learn how powerful" Spanos really is (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 1/11). Also in St. Louis, Bill McClellan wrote, "While [Kroenke's] arguments for relocating to Los Angeles make sense to me, I suspect he may not get there. If not, he will have only himself to blame. I’m talking about his foolish insistence that he is a self-made man" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 1/10). The POST-DISPATCH's David Hunn noted a six-page list of league relocation policies and procedures "guide the owners." St. Louis fans are "largely hoping Kroenke has failed to meet them." Hunn: "Has Kroenke avoided area officials, stayed out of Dome negotiations, and skipped nearly all media interviews because he has wanted -- ever since he bought the whole team -- to get out of the Jones Dome lease, and move?" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 1/10).
HOME SWEET HOME: In S.F., Chris De Benedetti wrote keeping the Raiders in Oakland "makes the most business sense for the NFL." With a move south, the Raiders "would be alienating their famously large and loud East Bay fan base in ways that would sever the franchise’s ties with Oakland and the wealthy Bay Area market." Such a move "would be rash, costly, unwise and unnecessary" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 1/9). In Sacramento, Matt Kawahara wrote under the header, "Raiders Fans Adopt Wait-And-See Attitude Amid Relocation Saga" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 1/10).
