NFL team in Los Angeles is “inevitable,” says Jon Gruden’s sources

As we reported on Saturday, some of the most visible NFL media personalities are stating publicly that a team moving to Los Angeles is a near certainty. It could happen by 2016, but most likely the deal gets done in 2017. Whether it’s the St. Louis Rams, the Oakland Raiders or the San Diego Chargers, is a question that still needs to be answered.

The comments made this past Tuesday by NFL on CBS’ lead announce team of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms really drove home the point that a NFL team in L.A. is a done deal. Of course, La-La-land is the traditional go-to for NFL teams seeking to gain bargaining leverage against their hometown. Want a new stadium deal STAT? Just play the “second largest market lacks a team and we’ll go fill that void” card.

It’s been done so much, it’s cliche. However, this time, there’s claims that it’s more than just transfer rumors.

ESPN Monday Night Football Commentator Jon Gruden went above and beyond the CBS announcer comments, saying he has “sources” telling him it’s on. Gruden also gave the chances of a NFL franchise in L.A. a 10 out of 10.

Gruden was asked “On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being best, maybe you can assign a number to the chance of you being part of an NFL telecast somewhere in LA in 2016, and why you would rank that number?” 

Transcript of Jon Gruden’s answer via ESPN PR: “I would comment on that, but I really have no idea. I have a feeling just being with the Raiders for a few years that something’s going on down there. I have a couple of my sources down there that say it’s inevitable, but to give it a number, I’d say it’s a 10. It’s going to happen. There’s just too much going on in that Hollywood Park area.”

“And hopefully it works out and they get some real enthusiasm for football in Southern California. I think it’s a great place for action down there.”

Wow! A perfect ten. There’s no grey area involved at all in that answer.

Obviously, you’ve heard by now about the Chargers and Raiders’ proposed plan to build a privately financed, $1.7-billion stadium in Carson, California, near Los Angeles. Here’s a video showing the artist renderings of the proposed shared stadium in Carson.

We spoke with a high profile Angelino and NFL pundit, NFL Network’s Curtis Conway, about how the NFL football dynamics work in SoCal. Conway grew up in L.A., played his college ball at USC (in the same venue where the Raiders played). You can hear his insights in the podcast here at this link. 

One of the most compelling and relevant story lines this NFL off-season has been the NFL team moving to Hollywood narrative. This won’t be going away any time soon, but you should expect resolution on it some time within the next few months.

NFL Media Day Preview Series

–Los Angeles will have at least one NFL team by 2017

–Every National Media Story on Jay Cutler is the same exact thing

–Bart Scott sizes up the NFC North race

-Can Vic Fangio be the Chicago Bears savior?

-Curtis Conway analyzes Bears off-season

–Jim Nantz sees Raiders returning to relevance soon

–John Fox is the best thing the Chicago Bears have going for them

How long is it going to take John Fox to turn the Bears around?

-Does Chicago Deserve a three-peat as NFL Draft host?

-Erin Coscarelli Oakland Raiders Season Preview

-Erin Coscarelli Chicago Bears Season Preview

-Brandon Marshall says he has no regrets over taking the Showtime gig last season

-Tony Gonzalez sees Khalil Mack becoming the NFL’s best Linebacker

–London Fletcher on the art of NFL punditry

–Tony Gonzalez very optimistic on Raiders prospects, loves uniform and colors