The Rams' and Chargers' new, privately funded home in Inglewood is "being closely watched as a potential new model for first-rate NFL venues built without public subsidies," according to Liz Clarke of the WASHINGTON POST. The "stadiums of tomorrow" must be "flexible, multipurpose facilities embedded in complex commercial developments that attract customers and events year-round." Inglewood Mayor James Butts said in reference to the new venue, "The city’s brand has changed. We’ve gone from being known for high crime, poverty and failing infrastructure to the next big thing.” Rams Exec VP/Football Operations & COO Kevin Demoff: "If you’re going to build a stadium in a city, it has to play a larger role than the NFL. It has to bring people together in a meaningful way -- both on Sunday and on every other day of the week, both in the fall and every other season." Clarke noted at a cost estimated at more than $5B, the venue will "anchor a 298-acre complex of office buildings, shops, restaurants, residential units, hotels and parks." Even in a "copycat league such as the NFL, it’s far from clear" that Rams Owner Stan Kroenke’s model "can be replicated." The development's "staggering expense is the primary barrier." Kroenke is investing $1.6B of personal equity -- an "unprecedented investment among NFL owners." The stadium is roughly 60% complete, and when finished, it will "more than double the cost of the next-most expensive NFL stadium" -- the Raiders' $1.8B Las Vegas venue (WASHINGTON POST, 1/27).
