Will there or won't there be an NFL team in Los Angeles?
Recently, reports have speculated in regards to the possibility of at least one L.A.-based franchise. Rumors of impending departures for the Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers and St. Louis Rams have emerged, linking the teams to Los Angeles. But fans concerned with the hijacking of their beloved team need not worry.
The Chargers and Rams have released formal statements reassuring fans that they have no intention of relocating to L.A. for the 2015 season. While the Raiders have made no such comment, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell informed the team that they will not be moving before next season.
Before a team can go Hollywood, the league wants to secure an appropriate location for a stadium site, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport. Hollywood Park, Carson City and AEG's site in downtown L.A. are the front-runners for a potential new stadium.
Los Angeles has not had an NFL presence since Oakland left town following the 1994 season. However, the Raiders could be returning to the area in the near future. ESPN's Bill Williamson notes on Twitter that while the team is likely to re-sign for one more year in the Coliseum, a relocation for 2016 could be the next move.
The NFL could also end up deciding on two sites, as the belief is that there will ultimately be a pair of teams in the city. So while fans of these teams may rest easy now, the future beyond 2015 remains uncertain.
