NFL Los Angeles Update: Inglewood City Council To Vote On Hollywood Park Stadium Proposal

The Inglewood, California City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal that would accelerate the development of a $2 billion, 80,000-seat NFL stadium in Los Angeles County. The Inglewood stadium would compete with a separate $1.7 billion project in Carson, California as a potential home for any future NFL relocation to the area.

If passed, the Inglewood City Council’s vote would allow the Hollywood Park Land Co. development group, which includes St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke, to begin construction on the stadium, according to the Associated Press. The group would gain permission to break ground without a review of how the stadium would impact local air pollution and traffic.

The privately-funded project is part of a larger plan to restore the defunct Hollywood Park racetrack site with several new facilities, including a hotel, casino and stores. The Inglewood stadium’s supporters hope to have the building ready for an NFL team in time for the 2018 season. Construction plans would proceed with or without a commitment from the league. If Tuesday’s vote fails, the City Council could consider the organization of a public vote on the stadium plan.

The Hollywood Park Land Co. announced in January that it would pursue a renovation of the area even if the City Council rejected plans for an NFL stadium. “We will have a sports and entertainment complex here to host whatever sports are ultimately going to be in L.A.,” said Chris Meany of the Hollywood Park Land Co., according to the Los Angeles Times.

The Rams, Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers have each publicly expressed interest in a possible move to Los Angeles amid struggles to renovate or rebuild stadiums in their current markets. The Inglewood City Council vote will unfold just days after the Raiders and Chargers announced their intention to jointly pursue – and to ultimately share – the privately-funded $1.7 billion Carson stadium if they cannot find a solution in their home markets, according to ESPN. Both franchise will remain in place for the 2015 NFL season.

Any relocation must be approved by three-fourths of the NFL’s owners. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced last December that the league would no longer consider a move to Los Angeles in time for the 2015 season.