In an unsurprising move, all three teams vying to build an NFL stadium in Los Angeles—the Chargers, Raiders, and Rams—filed the formal paperwork last night to request relocation to LA. The Rams are hoping to move into a stadium in Inglewood, while the Chargers and Raiders have plans for a shared stadium in Carson. ESPN says that a statement from the NFL about the three applications confirms that each has "appropriate documentation in support of its application, as required by the NFL Policy and Procedures for Proposed Franchise Relocations." With the teams' paperwork turned in, the ball is firmly in the court of the NFL owners, who have to vote on who stays and who goes (if anyone!).
An owner's meeting is set for January 12 and 13 in Houston, where the full roster of owners will discuss the possible relocation. (There are plenty of reasons for each of the teams to stay in their current cities.) Before that meeting, though, it's expected that the league's six-owner Committee on Los Angeles Opportunities will make their own "formal recommendation" to the rest of the team owners.
Of all the cities that stand to lose a team, only St. Louis has turned in a stadium proposal that's ready to roll; San Diego and Oakland's plans to keep their teams are not considered "actionable" by the NFL, as they have a few barriers in front of them. (San Diego's plan still has to be put to a public vote, and Oakland isn't even trying: they "only sent a letter saying the city is discussing options but had no formal proposal.")
· Rams, Chargers, Raiders file with NFL for relocation to Los Angeles [ESPN]
· All the Reasons the Chargers, Raiders, and Rams Might NOT Move to Los Angeles [Curbed LA]
· Inglewood NFL Stadium Reveals Plans For Enormous, See-Through, Billboard Roof [Curbed LA]
· See the Chargers and Raiders Pitch to the NFL to Build a Ridiculous Stadium in Carson [Curbed LA]