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Dodgers, NFL reportedly discuss stadium deal
The Los Angeles Dodgers met twice with NFL officials earlier this year to discuss building an NFL stadium next to Dodger Stadium, the Los Angeles Times reported Thursday.
The news of the meetings angered L.A. civic leaders who supported bringing an NFL team to the L.A. Coliseum, the newspaper reported.
"I am disappointed and disturbed by both the NFL and the Dodgers — but much more by the Dodgers," Zev Yaroslavsky, a county supervisor and member of the Coliseum Commission, told the Times.
The NFL is negotiating with Coliseum officials and Anaheim, the Los Angeles Times reported, and owners could OK a stadium deal as soon as March.
Dodgers owner Frank McCourt has expressed some interest in owning an NFL team in Los Angeles.
The Dodgers suggested the idea of a football stadium in the Dodger Stadium parking lot, the newspaper reported.
"We told the McCourt group we were not interested in proceeding unless we're unable to close deals with the Coliseum and Anaheim," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said, the newspaper reported. "There are no further discussions planned. There are no next steps. We're not negotiating with them."
McCourt agreed in a statement, the newspaper reported.
"I'm a strong supporter of bringing the NFL to Los Angeles," McCourt said, the L.A. Times reported. "I have made it abundantly clear I support the Coliseum as the site for the NFL's new stadium. Exploratory conversations were mutually agreed to under this premise.
"There are many what-if scenarios out there. None of those plans has been endorsed by me. So long as the Coliseum is a viable site, Dodger Stadium is not a competing venue."
The NFL has not had a team in Los Angeles since the Rams and Raiders left town.
Source: NBCsports.com
The news of the meetings angered L.A. civic leaders who supported bringing an NFL team to the L.A. Coliseum, the newspaper reported.
"I am disappointed and disturbed by both the NFL and the Dodgers — but much more by the Dodgers," Zev Yaroslavsky, a county supervisor and member of the Coliseum Commission, told the Times.
The NFL is negotiating with Coliseum officials and Anaheim, the Los Angeles Times reported, and owners could OK a stadium deal as soon as March.
Dodgers owner Frank McCourt has expressed some interest in owning an NFL team in Los Angeles.
The Dodgers suggested the idea of a football stadium in the Dodger Stadium parking lot, the newspaper reported.
"We told the McCourt group we were not interested in proceeding unless we're unable to close deals with the Coliseum and Anaheim," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said, the newspaper reported. "There are no further discussions planned. There are no next steps. We're not negotiating with them."
McCourt agreed in a statement, the newspaper reported.
"I'm a strong supporter of bringing the NFL to Los Angeles," McCourt said, the L.A. Times reported. "I have made it abundantly clear I support the Coliseum as the site for the NFL's new stadium. Exploratory conversations were mutually agreed to under this premise.
"There are many what-if scenarios out there. None of those plans has been endorsed by me. So long as the Coliseum is a viable site, Dodger Stadium is not a competing venue."
The NFL has not had a team in Los Angeles since the Rams and Raiders left town.
Source: NBCsports.com