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The downtown stadium project has gone on the fast track. Sports architects HKS and HNTB and L.A. Live designer Gensler are the three finalists to plan the stadium, says SportsBusiness Journal. Interviews are scheduled for Dec. 15, the publication adds.
Also: AEG's Tim Leiweke says he wants the "framework" of an NFL team for Los Angeles in place by March or else the stadium plan may be dropped. He spoke at the Central City Association yesterday. Downtown News:
Leiweke laid out a scenario to bring football to South Park, though he said three things must happen by next February. First, he said, negotiations already under way with the city have to be finalized. L.A. officials, he said, are in talks regarding the plan to tear down the West Hall of the Convention Center. He said he expects to reach an agreement on those issues early next year, and to begin the entitlement process for the stadium in January.The other things he said must happen involve the NFL. He said AEG is in frequent conversation with numerous NFL owners, who would ultimately have to approve a deal to return football to L.A.
He also said AEG wants to identify a team that would move to Los Angeles. He said the goal is not to “steal” a team from another city, but to target franchises whose financial situation will require a move. He added that AEG, which owns the Los Angeles Kings and has a one-third stake in the Lakers, is prepared to “invest” in a football team.