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NFL Owners Likely To Take Time Deciding On Waiver To Keep '21 Super Bowl In Inglewood

NFL owners at their spring meetings in Chicago today could discuss a possible waiver for the new stadium being built in Inglewood, Calif., to host the '21 Super Bowl, but it would be a "surprise if any resolution were reached," according to Sam Farmer of the L.A. TIMES. The year-long delay to the opening of the Inglewood venue means the stadium would need a waiver from owners to keep Super Bowl LV, which it was awarded a year ago, as league rules "stipulate that a stadium cannot host a Super Bowl in its inaugural season." But it is "far more likely that the league would take its time to evaluate the situation." Owners could then "resume the discussion at an owners meeting in October." Although there would seem to be "plenty of time" to move a game slated for '21, the advance planning involved -- "booking convention space, transportation, hotel rooms -- adds to the complexity of the situation" (L.A. TIMES, 5/23). PRO FOOTBALL TALK's Mike Florio noted the NFL wants to be "sure that all kinks have been worked out of a new stadium before it hosts the NFL’s premiere annual 100-million-plus-viewer event." Security concerns "remain paramount at the Super Bowl." From design to construction to operation of the stadium, new challenges will "emerge regarding the process of letting the right people in and keeping the wrong people out." Then there is the "possibility of further construction delays." Florio: "Already behind by a full year, what if more unanticipated delays emerge?" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 5/22). 

WAITING GAME: Orange County Register writer Ryan Kartje said of the delay, “Waiting a year for a new NFL stadium isn’t the end of the world. In the grand scheme of things, it’s a minor disappointment for the team and the city. (But) the fact that the team is on the hook for an extra year of construction means losing out on major revenue (and) shelling out plenty of extra expenses.” Kartje added, “The worst-case scenario in this situation would be to rush the opening of a stadium ... (because) it could he hugely damaging to the two teams standing in the L.A. market for years to come. That stadium needs to be able to create a buzz.” L.A. Daily News columnist Vincent Bonsignore said the delay is a “temporary irritation, but in the whole scheme of things it’s not really that big a deal.” Bonsignore added the delay might cost Chargers Chair Dean Spanos a “little bit of money," because the team has to "start paying the relocation fee" beginning in '19. Now, the “extra revenue” from the new stadium will not be available, so there is “going to be a little bit of money lost.” But Spanos is “not paying for the stadium.” Bonsignore: “It’s double for Stan Kroenke and the Rams, who are paying for the entire building” (“Inside the Rams,” OCREGISTER.com, 5/19). CBSSPORTS.com's Jason La Canfora noted there are "very real concerns about running well over" the original $2.6B projection for the venue, "given the inauspicious start to the project." In the short term, there will be "fiscal pain for these two franchises" to the tune of $150M each in lost revenue for each year beyond '19 lost "due to construction delays" (CBSSPORTS.com, 5/22). 

TAMPA BAY WATCH: NFL Network's Ian Rapoport tweeted, "NFL owners don't know where the conversation will lead on potentially moving SB55 from LA. Keep an eye on Tampa [if] they do. Last runner up. ... It's clear that for all sides, the focus for the LA Super Bowl is on doing it right, rather than locking in on 2021. There is no rush." The Tampa Bay Times' Greg Auman elaborated on the possibility: "They could bump L.A. for a year to make sure everything is looking the way they want it to. Just a possibility. ... NFL would rather wait to host Super Bowl in new stadium than burn a game in L.A. using Coliseum. Housewarming party at old house?"

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