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Buried deep in Rich Hammond's recent interview with AEG chief Tim Leiweke was an enticing nugget. Musing about a future outdoor hockey game between the Kings and Ducks, Leiweke said "It would be fantastic to do that as part of the first year of a new NFL stadium....whether it be Dodger Stadium, Carson, City of Industry or here." Emphasis added on here, which meant near AEG's foothold in Downtown, L.A. Live and Staples Center. Now comes Sam Farmer's report in the L.A. Times that Leiweke and sports mogul Casey Wasserman are considering reviving the NFL stadium plan they first aired eight years ago. Says Farmer:
They are investigating the possibility of building a stadium behind Staples Center, where the West Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center now sits, with the idea of replacing that convention space elsewhere in the general area.So far, the concept is in the preliminary stages, although the NFL is aware of it and is monitoring its progress.
The convention center site is owned by the city. It is within walking distance of the newly constructed 1,000-room hotel that AEG built in the Staples Center/LA Live sports and entertainment district.
Last time they ran up against the politics of the Coliseum. This time, the competition would more likely come from Ed Roski, AEG's partner in the Kings who's moving to build an NFL stadium in Industry, and whoever ends up with control of the parking lots at Dodger Stadium after the McCourts' divorce. Plus whatever opposition emerges to giving AEG more city land to develop.