The San Diego Chargers and the Oakland Raiders have hired the chairman and chief executive of the Walt Disney Company, Bob Iger, to lead their proposed stadium project in Carson, according to Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times.
Iger will become the non-executive chairman of Carson Holdings LLC, which is the joint venture of both the Raiders and the Chargers. As the non-executive Chairman, Iger will be responsible for working with the city of Carson on the project. Disney owns ESPN, and Iger reportedly already has a working relationship with many NFL owners and Commissioner Roger Goodell because of that, according to Farmer.
Iger will be responsible for hiring a president of Carson Holdings, as well as direct and lead the design and construction of the stadium, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Iger will also be key in developing game-day experience for fans, marketing of the stadium, branding the venue, and bringing professional football back to Los Angeles successfully.
"Should the owners approve the move, Los Angeles will proudly welcome two incredible teams to our community and build a stadium worthy of their fans," said Iger in a press release, via Pro Football Talk. "LA football fans will enjoy unprecedented access to games during the season, in a state of the art stadium designed to deliver the most entertaining, exciting and enjoyable experience possible."
The Raiders, Chargers, and the Rams are all reportedly expected to apply for relocation this upcoming January. The NFL is holding committee meetings in Manhattan Wednesday, and will listen to presentation from the cities of Oakland, San Diego, and St. Louis, as to why they should keep their teams.
Iger's hiring could be a huge factor in getting support from other owners to move the two teams to Los Angeles, as there has been resistance in the process. Iger reportedly has the ability to acquire non-controlling equity ownership interest in either the Chargers or the Raiders, but will need the league's approval to do so, according to NFL reporter Daniel Kaplan.
