Roger Goodell refuses to consider what would happen if an NFL franchise returns to Los Angeles. He prefers to think of it as "when" an NFL franchise returns to LA.
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NFL.com is reporting that the NFL commissioner says Los Angeles is in the league's plans as recovering a franchise for the first time since the Rams and Raiders both left in 1995.
"We would like to do that," Goodell said Thursday at The Beverly Hilton during a panel on Thursday Night Football. "We think there's a great opportunity to be successful (in Los Angeles). I think opportunity's starting to develop, maybe in part because we have that long-term planning in front of us."
The league still is waiting for the city to put a realistic bid together that involves a proper venue.
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"It still comes back to, 'Do we have the right solution in Los Angeles?' And that comes back to a stadium," Goodell said. "Do we have a stadium that we feel can be competitive with the high-quality stadiums? I just came from San Francisco, from a ribbon-cutting for a new stadium (in Santa Clara) and we're excited about that and we're investing billions of dollars in creating those kinds of stadiums."
Goodell isn't the only one keeping an eye on Los Angeles, which could be good news for the city. According to NFL.com, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft says his brethren also are anxiously awaiting the return of pro football to LA.
Kraft was on hand for the panel and told the room that league-wide "ownership is collectively very concerned that we don't have at least one team" in LA.
"In the end, we want young people here branded to a team," Kraft said. "I know that Roger and I and a number of the owners who care about the long-term health of the NFL feel it's very important for our future to have at least one -- if not two teams -- in downtown LA."
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