Sports

Downtown LA NFL Stadium Plan Declared Defunct; Others Remain

Published

9 years ago

March 10, 2015

This undated file artist’s rendering provided by AEG shows a proposed NFL football stadium, to be named Farmers Field in Los Angeles. A transportation consultant said Monday, Sept. 26, 2011, the $1.2 billion football stadium proposed for downtown Los Angeles. Developer AEG said in a statement Monday, March 9, 2015, that it is “no longer in discussion with the NFL or any NFL team.” The announcement leaves two clear contenders for the NFL’s return to the area, both in cities just outside Los Angeles: A stadium in Inglewood proposed in January with the backing of St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke, and a project in Carson announced last month with the joint backing of the Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers. (AP Photo/AEG, File)

ANDREW DALTON, Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Farmers Field had a prime location in downtown Los Angeles, big-time boosters, a builder with an impeccable professional sports resume, even a name and sponsor — rare for a project in the planning stages.

What it did not have was an NFL team attached. And in the end that was all that mattered.

Just months after it was the latest, greatest hope for bringing the NFL back to the city for the first time in 20 years, the stadium project was declared dead by its developer AEG on Monday.

Its demise was sped by a pair of competing stadium plans that had the unbeatable advantage of having NFL owners and their teams attached.

“We are no longer in discussion with the NFL or any NFL team,” said Ted Fikre, vice chairman of AEG, which owns the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings and the downtown Staples Center, home of the NBA’s Lakers and Clippers.

The developer had spent five years and at least $50 million on the project, but AEG now says it will focus on other downtown development projects.

The announcement leaves two clear contenders for the NFL’s return to the area for the first time in two decades, both in cities just outside Los Angeles: A stadium in Inglewood proposed in January with the backing of St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke, and a project in Carson announced last month with the joint backing of the Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers.

The downtown project — which would have been unusual for the NFL where most venues are in suburbs instead of city centers — appeared to gain new life in October when the developer asked for and received from the city a six-month extension for its deadline to attract an NFL team for the project. AEG cited “new dialogue” with the league.

But Fikre said Monday that it will allow that extension to expire in April with no renewal.

The project’s boosters included Mayor Eric Garcetti, much of the City Council and local business leaders.

Michael Eisner, former chief executive at the Walt Disney Co., told The Associated Press in November that Farmers Field would have been an ideal addition to the re-emergence of downtown LA.

“It just felt to me that if we could pull this off, particularly in the downtown area, that the renaissance of Los Angeles … could be enhanced,” he said.

“I’m a Disney guy,” Eisner said. “I’m looking for the end of the movie to be happy.”

Garcetti’s spokesman, Yusef Robb, said the priorities of the mayor’s office “have always been about accelerating downtown’s revitalization,” but City Hall will be happy to cheer for a team and a stadium outside its borders.

“In terms of football, we continue to stand with the fans — we would welcome a team anywhere in our region that delivers the greatest benefit to our communities and economy,” Robb said in a statement.

In Inglewood, the City Council bypassed several environmental and other hurdles late last month by adding its stadium project to an already-approved development underway at the former Hollywood Park racetrack. That would appear to put it at the forefront of Southern California cities jockeying to build NFL facilities. St. Louis and the state of Missouri are working just as quickly to provide a proposal to build a new home there to keep the Rams.

In Carson, stadium backers turned in enough signatures last week for a ballot initiative that would allow a Chargers-Raiders joint stadium on the site of a former landfill. But those two teams have said the move to the Los Angeles area would come only if their current hometowns fail to offer desirable deals.

Amid what was becoming a frenzy, the NFL circulated a memo earlier this year reminding team owners that in the end, the league and the league alone will decide whether a team — and which team — will move to the Los Angeles area.

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Bay Area

Oakland Has Plans to Bring Roots and Soul Soccer to the Oakland Coliseum Area

The Oakland City Council’s Community and Economic Development (CED) Committee on Sept. 12 at 1:30 p.m. will discuss a resolution authorizing an Agreement with Oakland Roots and Soul Sports Club and Alameda County to lease land in the Coliseum area for use for the teams to play soccer games, welcoming thousands of fans to these locally oriented and growing teams.

Published

2 months ago

October 11, 2023

Oakland Post

From left to right: Oakland Soul players Aliyah Jones, Kaytlin Brinkman, Cecilia Gee, Maleni Morales, and Sam Tran. Photo courtesy of Oakland Soul.

By Post Staff

The proposal would then go to the full City Council to authorize Alameda County, and the Roots and Soul Soccer Sports Club to work out the details of the use of the property, known as the Malibu Lot, allowing the soccer club to return to Oakland and build a facility to play in the Coliseum Area.

During the proposed term of the lease, which is for up to 10 years, the facility would function as the home field for the Oakland Roots men’s and Oakland Soul women’s soccer teams.

“We are excited to have the Oakland Roots and Soul plan for a strong future in Oakland and appreciate their commitment to the community,” said Vice-Mayor Rebecca Kaplan, who also serves as the Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Authority (OACCA) Board chair.

“Having soccer in the Coliseum area aligns with our goals to keep this centrally located area vibrant,” she said.

Previously, Roots/Soul soccer entered into an agreement with the African American Sports and Entertainment Group (AASEG) to work together to enhance the future of the coliseum area.

AASEG has been selected by the Oakland City Council to lead the long-term development of the Coliseum property, with jobs, housing, commercial development, sports, and entertainment.

Bay Area

Richmond Tennis Player Wins Thriller at SF City Championships

Fernando Ramos of Richmond showcased his commitment to tennis, ultimately emerging as the champion in the highly competitive 3.0 Men’s Singles category. Dedicated to competing competitively since summer 2021 and honing his tennis abilities under RTA President Garry Hurlbut, Ramos’ journey to triumph was fueled by hard work and a passion for the sport, according to the RTA.

Published

2 months ago

October 4, 2023

Oakland Post

Fernando Ramos, a physical education teacher in Richmond, holds his prize after winning the San Francisco City Championships NTRP Gold Cup series tournament. Photo courtesy The Richmond Standard.

The 2023 San Francisco City Championships NTRP Gold Cup series tournament witnessed an exhilarating display of skill and determination during the Labor Day weekend.

Among the standout competitors, Fernando Ramos of Richmond showcased his commitment to tennis, ultimately emerging as the champion in the highly competitive 3.0 Men’s Singles category.

Dedicated to competing competitively since summer 2021 and honing his tennis abilities under RTA President Garry Hurlbut, Ramos’ journey to triumph was fueled by hard work and a passion for the sport, according to the RTA.

The prestigious tournament featured the top 32 players, all vying for the coveted title in a single elimination format.

Ramos confidently progressed through the rounds, employing his formidable counterpunching style. In the quarterfinals, he clashed with an equally determined opponent, Moon, who shared the same championship aspirations. The center court became a battleground of skill, witnessed by an enthralled crowd.

Long rallies and well-executed shots were exchanged as Moon prevailed in the first set 6-4. Ramos adjusted, rallying to win the second set 6-3 and maintaining momentum to win the super tiebreak, and the match, 10-7.

In the grand finale, Ramos faced off against formidable opponent Contini. The crowd, predominantly Richmond fans, cheered on Ramos, who battled back Contini’s aggressive left-handed baseliner and lethal lob game.

Ramos executed great court coverage and determination. The final was an intense battle, with both players pushing their limits. But Ramos’ expert shot placement ensured a hard-earned 7-5, 7-5 win.

Ramos expressed gratitude for his support and highlighted his intention to leverage the victory to inspire more involvement in tennis within the Richmond community.

A physical education teacher in Richmond, Ramos’ triumph serves as a reminder that passion, combined with relentless pursuit, can pave the path to success, according to RTC.

This report is courtesy of the Richmond Tennis Association.

Black History

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to Induct Pitchers Mike Norris, Vida Blue

Mike Norris and the late Vida Blue, baseball legends who are also both known for supporting youth athletes in the local community, were recently named to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum’s (NLBM) seventh “Hall of Game” induction class.

Published

2 months ago

October 2, 2023

Oakland Post

Vida Blue (left) and Mike Norris. Courtesy Richmond Standard

The Richmond Standard

The NLBM is inducting five pitchers who were part of the iconic group known as the “Black Aces,” a term coined by the late Jim “Mudcat” Grant that celebrates 15 African American pitchers who won 20 games or more in a Major League Baseball season.

The five members headlining the 2023 Hall of Game Class include Norris, Blue, Al Downing, Dwight Gooden, and Dontrelle Willis.

“Dave Stewart, who will accept on behalf of Blue, his former Oakland A’s teammate, Ferguson Jenkins, J.R. Richard, and Mudcat Grant, were inducted into the Hall of Game in previous years,” the NLBM states. “CC Sabathia and David Price had schedule conflicts and will be inducted in a subsequent class.”

The 2023 Hall of Game, presented by Hy-Vee, will be held at 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 9 at the Gem Theater in Kansas City, MO.

The West Contra Costa County community is intimately familiar with Norris and Blue, who both played for Bay Area MLB teams and gained a reputation for supporting local youth ball players.

Blue died in May of last year. Norris remains involved locally, helping youth via participation in The Mike Norris Baseball Academy and San Pablo Baseball Association.