The NFL is "discussing shortening the time period during which teams can submit relocation bids to avoid having them emerge during the playoffs," according to sources cited by Daniel Kaplan of SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. Teams currently "must submit any relocation proposal to the league between Jan. 1 and Feb. 15, a window set several years ago by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell." That period "may now shrink to a Feb. 2 to Feb. 15 time frame, pushing it past this year’s playoff slate." While a team’s relocation to L.A. "might seem increasingly probable," it is "not assured the league will receive any club’s proposal for a move." Meanwhile, sources said that the NFL, "which has told owners that the league controls the Los Angeles process, is engaged in talks again with AEG over the company’s proposed downtown stadium, Farmers Field." That project "has been on the table" since '10. Both the Rams and Raiders, if they do not move for the '15 season, "could renew their local leases on an annual basis with their stadium authorities." But if a team did move, it "would need a temporary facility," with L.A. Memorial Coliseum and the Rose Bowl "often touted as potential destinations" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 11/10 issue). In San Diego, Nick Canepa writes under the header, "L.A. Talk Should Be Concern For Bolts Fans." Canepa: "The Battle for L.A. has begun. In earnest. ... If you're a Chargers fan, be concerned" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 11/11).
DOING THE LEG WORK: San Antonio city officials yesterday said that their meeting last week with Raiders Owner Mark Davis "was a success in terms of fulfilling their goal of presenting San Antonio as an NFL-ready market." San Antonio Assistant City Manager Ed Belmares said, "We just wanted to put San Antonio in the best light, and that’s what we did." In San Antonio, Orsborn & Baugh note city Convention, Sports & Entertainment Facilities Dir Mike Sawaya "was in attendance" at Broncos-Raiders on Sunday. He wrote in a text message, "As part of the due diligence process, I attended the game to observe the game-day atmosphere in Oakland and to tour the stadium" (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 11/11).
