The prospect of an NFL franchise returning to Los Angeles has edged closer after St Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke announced plans to build an 80,000-seat stadium in the city, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Kroenke, who is also the majority shareholder of English Premier League side Arsenal, had fuelled speculation of an NFL project in Los Angeles after purchasing a 60-acre site in Inglewood last year.
The Times on Monday reported he has now joined forces with real estate developers Stockbridge Capital Group, the owners of the neighbouring 238-acre Hollywood Park horse racing track, with a view to transforming the venue into a state-of-the-art sports arena.
"We are excited to unveil an expanded plan that will bring a world-class sports and entertainment district to Hollywood Park," Stockbridge founder Terry Fancher was quoted as saying.
"We are committed to working with (the Kroenke Group) to build a project that will put Inglewood back on the map as home of the truly great sports and entertainment venues."
While there have been repeated attempts to develop new stadiums in Los Angeles in the two decades since the city's NFL former representatives moved elsewhere, Kroenke's move marks the first time an existing team owner has taken control of a site in the city large enough to accommodate a stadium and parking for spectators.
Kroenke, a billionaire whose family also owns the Denver Nuggets NBA team and the Colorado Avalanche NHL team, has long been mulling his options over a possible new home for the Rams, who left Southern California in 1994 after more than a four-decade stay.
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