The pieces appear to be falling into place for an NFL stadium in the city of Industry, but does that mean a team is on its way?
Los Angeles developer Ed Roski Jr. cleared a significant legal hurdle this week when the city of Walnut agreed to drop a lawsuit intended to block the plan.
Here are some answers to the most pertinent questions about where the league is on the issue of returning to the nation's second-largest market:
Does this mean an NFL team is coming to Los Angeles?
No. It's another step in that direction. There is still a long way to go until that becomes a reality.
What does it mean?
Roski's site has a significant jump on any potential competitors, because even when the process is frictionless -- and it never is -- an environmental impact report takes at least a year to complete, and usually at least two.
These things weigh heavily in Roski's favor: He controls the site, is working with a cooperative city and has cleared the runway of the last significant legal roadblocks.
So what now?
Assuming he has the stadium financing plan in place, Roski needs to go out and convince an existing team that relocation is the way to go.
What's the big question for an owner considering such a relocation?
It boils down to this: Is the cost of privately financing an $800-million stadium, giving up a piece of your team and possibly paying a large relocation fee better than what you have now?
That's the leap of faith someone will have to make.
Which teams are most likely to relocate?
San Diego is the front-runner because the Chargers have a window each year to get out of their Qualcomm Stadium lease without the threat of a lawsuit. They also want a new stadium and haven't been able to get one done there.
Jacksonville can't get out as easily, but the Jaguars are in a dire situation. Even when they tarp thousands of seats, they can't sell out their games. Others who potentially could relocate down the road are Minnesota, St. Louis, Buffalo and Oakland.
Will the league create a new team for L.A.?
No. Expansion is off the table, and not because the league likes its current format of eight four-team divisions. It's because owners don't want to slice the financial pie 33 ways. Thirty-two is plenty for them.
Why can't a team just pack up the moving vans and go, regardless of what the league says?
