Rams: owner looking into L.A. stadium

INGLEWOOD, Ca. - St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke plans to build a stadium in Los Angeles County in connection with a possible franchise move there as early as 2016, according to reports.

Keoenke formed a syndicate with Stockbridge Capital Group, owners of the former 238-acre Hollywood Park racetrack, the Los Angeles Times reported on Monday.

The site will feature an 80,000 seat football stadium, a 6,000 seat entertainment venue, and retail, office, residential, and hotel space on the former Hollywood Park site.

The Rams, which have declined any comment on a move, can choose to terminate their lease with the city of St. Louis as they are yet to reach a deal to renovate the Edward Jones Dome. Though the city is expected to present an offer this month.

There have been unofficial and unsought-out plans to establish an NFL team in the city for more than twenty years, but this marks the first time any existing team's ownership has controlled enough area to act on it.

Any franchise that plans a move must file an application for approval between Jan. 1 and Feb. 15 and will require a majority vote of three-fourths the present owners.

"No team has applied for relocation and there will be no team relocations for the 2015 season," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said to Pro Football Talk. "We are committed to working towards having franchises that are strong and successful in their existing markets. Any decision on relocation in 2016 or later is subject to approval by the 32 clubs. An affirmative vote by 24 of 32 clubs is required."

The Rams were originally a Los Angeles based franchise from their founding in 1946 until their move after the 1994 season to St. Louis. The city has not fielded a professional football franchise since 1984 when the Oakland Raiders temporarily moved there and played at the Memorial Coliseum before returning to Oakland ten years later.

Kroene, the second-wealthiest owner in the league, also has an interest in the Denver Nuggets NBA club and Colorado Avalanche NHL team, and is a large stakeholder in the English football club Arsenal FC.