Professional football in Los Angeles is one step closer to becoming reality again — or really, three steps closer.
The NFL’s Oakland Raiders, St. Louis Rams and San Diego Chargers each submitted applications to the league office on Monday to relocate their franchises to the Los Angeles area beginning with the 2016 season. Each team submitted the appropriate documentation in support of its application as required by the NFL Policy and Procedures for Proposed Franchise Relocations, the league told TheWrap via a statement.
“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 NFL stated.
Then, the applications will be presented for consideration at next week’s league meeting in Houston on Tuesday and Wednesday. The relocation of a franchise requires the affirmative vote of three-quarters of the NFL’s clubs, meaning 24 of the 32 teams.
Adding to the Hollywood crossover are a couple of key off-field players involved, most prominently, Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger, who is leading an L.A. football stadium project for Carson Holdings, LCC. That option would bring both the Raiders and Chargers to the country’s No. 2 media market.
His competition, Rams owner Stan Kroenke, has some extremely deep pockets — so don’t count the Midwest squad out from returning to L.A. just yet.
The Raiders also formerly called the Los Angeles market home, further muddying the waters for owners and franchise fanbases.
None of the three teams made the NFL Playoffs this season, so they’re all free to focus on relocation. Oakland and St. Louis both finished 7-9, while San Diego boasted a meager 4-12 record.