Two, Two, Two Teams In One

Could Los Angeles, which hasn't been home to an NFL team in over a decade, actually become a two-team football town again?

Doesn't seem possible, given the difficulty the city has had in even bringing one team to the region. But today's Daily News reports that a rebuilt Memorial Coliseum could actually wind up as home to two teams:

Looking to boost revenues and amortize the soaring cost of transforming the historic Coliseum into a state-of-the- art stadium, sources said the NFL has asked the Coliseum Commission to consider expanding the cap on Coliseum events from 25 to 35 a year. The controversial proposal is certain to increase resistance from the landmark museums in nearby Exposition Park because traffic congestion and limited parking would impact their operations.

"It's just in the talking stage," said one source, adding that the concept was voiced by NFL representatives as part of the lease negotiations over the past couple of weeks.

"When you spend a lot of money on a stadium, you want the right to bring a second team in if that makes sense," the source said. "It would have a huge economic impact. It would be a better economic deal."

Far from certain is whether the NFL would grant Los Angeles one of its 32 existing franchises or whether the city would play host to an expansion team.

The NFL owners have worried that they would not have a balanced schedule if they added a single expansion team. A second Los Angeles team would solve that dilemma.

The second team would be considered five to 10 years after the first team is established, the source said.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the league also is looking at the possibility of a second team in Anaheim if that city is selected by the owners for a Southern California franchise.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said he had heard some discussion about the possibility of a second team, but that it hasn't been proposed to him officially.

"We have to focus on getting one team, and on our terms," Villaraigosa said. "I want a football team. I think the people of the city want a football team. But, we have made clear we are not prepared to give away the store to get one.

The region, of course, was home for several years to both the Raiders and the Rams (which actually moved to Anaheim in 1980) -- until both skipped town in 1995.