A cancellation in the second day of meetings involving the NFL's stadium, finance and relocation committees could mean a recommendation is ready to go before next week's NFL owners meeting in Houston.
That is the indication from a column in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, citing the possibility of a curveball in the proceedings.
Rams May Have Legal Trump Card In NFL Relocation Bidding
"The cancellation of the meeting most likely means the committees have cemented their suggestion for the rest of the owners," the Post-Dispatch reported. "Don't be shocked if that suggestion results in a surprise solution."
The Rams, Chargers and Raiders all have submitted applications to relocate to Los Angeles in 2016.
Two Relocation Committee Owners Backing Chargers-Raiders Stadium Plan
Each franchise heads into next week's meetings with a strong point for relocation. Media reports indicate the Chargers have the most backing among NFL owners to move. The Raiders' argument is that the city of Oakland has nothing resembling a new stadium plan to keep the team from pursuing relocation.
Rams owner Stan Kroenke blasted the city of St. Louis in his application for relocation. The owners can't force him to accept new St. Louis' stadium deal, and the city has not abided by its original agreement with the franchise when it moved from L.A. in 1995 about stadium upkeep.
The Chargers are the team most likely to get their wish, according to The Los Angeles Times.
"Chargers owner Dean Spanos is popular among fellow owners, and it's increasingly unlikely that his franchise will be anywhere but L.A. in 2016 -- no matter which site wins," The Times reported.
That leaves the Raiders and Rams likely having to accept some sort of compromise.
"The Raiders could get extra money from the league toward a new stadium in Oakland or permission to move with a greatly reduced -- or no -- relocation fee if they were to wind up in a market other than L.A.," The Times added.
"If the Rams are denied L.A., they could be allowed to move to another market such as London, Toronto or even San Diego -- which could siphon fans from all over Southern California. If that were the case, the Chargers might argue that San Diego should be left vacant so they could recruit fans from San Diego and Orange County. But generosity has its limits -- and owners might feel that whichever team winds up in L.A. has already won the grand prize and doesn't need additional assistance."
No matter what happens, it appears professional football is returning to Los Angeles in 2016.
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