The NFL is "waiting on an approved environmental impact report for a downtown stadium before taking L.A. seriously" as a contender for a team, according to T.J. Simers of the L.A. TIMES. AEG President & CEO Tim Leiweke said, "Once the commissioner made it clear no team was going to make a commitment to move to L.A. until the EIR was completed, that became our singular focus." Leiweke added that he is confident that AEG will "release the EIR in February, putting it on track to be approved by the City Council by July." He said, "We get approval and the NFL is going to say we're ready to push dirt; we're real." Leiweke said that there are "four teams -- the Raiders, Chargers, Vikings and Rams -- who are facing 'moments of truth' where they now sit." Leiweke: "In this economy, do I believe all four entities will figure out a way to get a billion dollars from the public or private sectors? ... No, I don't believe it's going to happen." He added, "Once there is certainty with the EIR, then the question will be how do we get a team deal done that allows us to proceed with this project?" Simers notes, "Scratch Minnesota off the list of four. A chunk of public money for a new stadium is going to entice the Vikings to stay." And Chargers Chair & President Dean Spanos is "afraid of ruining his father's legacy in San Diego by moving the team to L.A." Simers notes a meeting between Spanos and AEG Chair Phil Anschutz "did not go well; anyone moving to L.A. will have to have a meeting of minds with Anschutz." Spanos' "reluctance to embrace change brings the Raiders and Rams into play." Timing "favors the Rams, especially if Spanos goofs it up and plays hard to get." The Rams "have a way out of St. Louis" after the '14 season, and Rams Owner Stan Kroenke "is very tight with Anschutz." Throw in time for "litigation before they really win their freedom, and the Rams could be [in L.A.] in 2016 to open a new stadium" (L.A. TIMES, 1/5).
