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 is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
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.
The Rams, Raiders, And Chargers All Applied To Move To Los Angeles
The Chargers, Raiders and Rams have all officially applied to move to Los Angeles, marking the next step in a seemingly endless process.On Monday, all three teams filed paperwork with the NFL, declaring their intent to move. "The applications will be reviewed this week by league staff and three league committees that will meet in New York on Wednesday and Thursday—the Los Angeles Opportunities, Stadium and Finance committees," the league said in a statement. "The applications will be presented for consideration at next week's league meeting in Houston on Tuesday and Wednesday." At the league meeting all 32 team owners will vote on a proposal, which will need 24 votes to pass.
Rams owner Stan Kroenke set the process in motion exactly a year ago when he proposed a new stadium in Inglewood, and the Raiders and Chargers followed that a month later with a shared-stadium proposal in Carson. Only one stadium will be approved, and according to the L.A. Times, neither proposal currently has enough votes to pass.
All three teams play in aging stadiums they have been looking to replace for years. "We have tried for more than 14 years, through nine separate proposals and seven different mayors, to create a world-class stadium experience for fans in San Diego," the Chargers said in a statement. "Despite these efforts, there is still no certain, actionable solution to the stadium problem. We are sad to have reached this point." The Rams and Raiders had more perfunctory statements on their own websites.
In response to the Rams' intention to move, the city of St. Louis proposed a $1.1 billion project—that would use $400 million in public money, according to ESPN—to build a new stadium on the city's waterfront. Around The NFL says that Kroenke and the Rams will reject St. Louis' plan.
Support for LAist comes from
The city of San Diego, according to the Times, has also proposed a $1.1 billion stadium project, but it hinges on a public vote in June. That uncertainty coupled with the Rams' proposal was what lit the fire for the Chargers to take action.
"Over 25% of our business comes from Riverside County, Orange County and the Los Angeles County area. Another team or teams going in there would have a huge impact on that," said Chargers president Dean Spanos in an interview on the team's site. "I think that is what really was the catalyst that got this whole thing going because when the Rams decided to make their move there, this was a move to protect our business more than anything."
Although Los Angeles hasn't had a team since the 1994 season, when the Rams and Raiders both left the area, all three teams have ties to the city. The Los Angeles Rams moved to the city in 1946, and played their last 15 years in Anaheim Stadium before moving to St. Louis. The Raiders played at the Coliseum from 1982 to 1994, and still have a devoted fanbase in the region. The Chargers played in Los Angeles for their first season before moving to San Diego.
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.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
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?
Best of LAist