Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
City Council Approves Construction of NFL Stadium in DTLA
So what if Los Angeles doesn't have a team in the National Football League? And so what if Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) is looking for a new owner? Dammit: Downtown Los Angeles is getting a big ol' shiny new football stadium.
The L.A. City Council gave its final approval today for the $1.2 billion construction project to erect Farmers Field at L.A. Live, and provide a permanent home for an as-yet determined NFL team. Additionally, the approval gives the okay for a $315 convention center hall, stand-alone ballroom and park plaza. The deal was approved by a 12-0 vote, according to City News Service.
At today's meeting and vote were athletes like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Rodney Peete in favor of the stadium, with a few residents and low-income housing advocates there to voice opposition.
Once Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa signs the approval, a battle is expected to heat up between AEG and rival Majestic Realty Co., who are building a stadium in the City of Industry and are also tasked with wooing an NFL team to come to L.A.
The L.A. City Council's support of the project has been contingent on the deal stipulating that a team must agree to come to L.A. and call the 76,000-seat venue home for 20 to 30 years.
The stadium will have a "light and airy" design, with a "deployable" roof, and possible other temporary roofs or coverings created out of "inflated air chambers," says design firm Gensler.
AEG's Tim Leiweke reminded everyone today that the stadium will not cost taxpayers any money. "This is a 100 percent privately financed football stadium, and the taxpayers and the general fund will never be at risk. You have our word on that and it's in the agreement,'' Leiweke told the council.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?