AEG Requests NFL Extension

With the NFL’s apparently renewed interest in placing at least one team in Los Angeles, and AEG’s window of exclusivity to bring a team to town and start building Farmers Field rapidly closing, the company has asked the city to extend its agreement by six more months.

Photo: AP Photo / AEG

a rendering of the would-be stadium's exterior.

At the same time, AEG is hedging its bets and continuing to explore alternative plans, including an overhaul of the L.A. Convention Center, in case an NFL deal falls through.

“We have resumed discussions with the NFL and, while much remains to be done before a deal could come together, we remain committed to this project,” AEG President/CEO Dan Beckerman said. “In light of the positive tone of recent conversations, we feel it would be productive to continue this dialogue while at the same time further exploring alternative plans with the city.”

Prospects for wooing an NFL team and getting the proposed stadium built adjacent to Staples Center and L.A. Live looked bleak after the departure of former AEG president Tim Leiweke and an aborted sale of the company.

However, the NFL is reportedly anxious to resolve stadium or ownership issues among the Oakland Raiders, St. Louis Rams and possibly the Baltimore Ravens that could ultimately involve relocation.

AEG has until Oct. 17 to sign a team under the current agreement. It has the apparent support of the NFL, which is expected to make decisions on team relocations within the next six months.

“The discussions are very preliminary, but we are encouraged enough by recent progress that we share AEG’s view that continued conversations would be worthwhile,” NFL executive VP Eric Grubman said in statement quoted by the Los Angeles Times. “An extension could well provide the time necessary for us and AEG to determine whether the downtown site can be considered by our membership during our next off-season period.”

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