Update: Carson approves $1.7 billion NFL stadium

Updated 10:36 p.m.: Council approves stadium initiative

The Carson city council unanimously approved a $1.7 billion stadium by a 3-0 vote Tuesday night. 

“There are two things we need in California, rain and football," said Carson Mayor Albert Robles after the vote. "And football is coming to Carson."

Though, as Robles later said, an NFL team is a long way from actually coming to Carson. Speaking to reporters after the vote, Robles struck a more cautious tone.

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"If it's not an NFL stadium, something will be built on this land that has been unoccupied for more than 50 years," said Robles. 

He said construction could begin by the end of the year, but any timetable would be up to the Raiders and Chargers. By contrast, Inglewood's mayor has said construction of that city's stadium will begin regardless of whether an NFL team commits to moving or not.

Update 7:17 p.m.: Carson city council to consider stadium initiative

A proposed $1.7 billion NFL stadium in Carson could take a big step forward Tuesday night as the city council decides either to send the stadium initiative to voters or approve it outright.

Two months ago, Inglewood’s city council had the same choice, and after a couple hours of discussion, it signed off on a $1.8 billion dollar stadium – the most expensive in U.S. sports history.

Even if it gets the green light, Carson’s project faces a more uncertain fate because it would be built over a former landfill, and the stadium would be shared by two teams owned by men who don’t have the financial resources of St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke, who is expected to fund most of the Inglewood stadium.

Which teams move to LA – if any – will ultimately be up to NFL owners, some of whom will get their first look at both the Inglewood and Carson stadium plans Wednesday in New York. The six-member relocation committee will be looking at the proposed new riverfront stadium in St. Louis, which is trying to keep The Rams from returning to Los Angeles.

No decisions on relocation will be made at the meeting Wednesday. That will likely have to wait until later this year or early next year.