Does a New Stadium Deal Mean the NFL Is Returning to L.A.?

As hard as it may be to believe, it’s been 16 years since a football team called the city of Los Angeles home. Now, however, that could change.

The city council approved a framework deal Tuesday afternoon that would lead to the construction of a $1.2 billion, 72,000-seat stadium called Farmers Field on the city’s convention center campus. Anschutz Entertainment Group is heading up the project.

The actual deal wouldn’t happen until next year, with developers eyeing June 2012 as a target date to begin building, with the stadium opening in September 2016. In the interim, though, a pro team could play in another local stadium — such as the Coliseum or the Rose Bowl — as soon as construction begins. That means that teams like the San Diego Chargers, who are “unhappy with their current stadium situation,” might vie for a move.

Others are speculating the Jaguars or the Vikings might be interested in relocating. And how about the new stadium hosting the Super Bowl in 2016? It’s all possible. Stay tuned.

Despite the fact no NFL team currently plays in the US’ second-biggest market, this development marks the second proposal to build a stadium in Los Angeles. A firm called Majestic Realty has obtained permits to break ground on a 75,000-seat stadium in Industry, a town about 15 miles outside of Los Angeles.