Louis giving up on the National Football League after loss of Rams

The historic 30-2 vote enables the Rams to return to Los Angeles for the 2016 season. The team will pack their cleats, helmets, and all the rest, heading to a new $3 billion stadium ten miles from downtown L.A. The San Diego Chargers may exercise an option to follow next season.

On Tuesday, the National Football League owners voted in overwhelming favor to re-locate the Rams franchise to Los Angeles. The Chargers or Raiders would have to pay the same fee if they end up moving to Los Angeles. The organization has until January 2017 to decide if they want to accept relocation to Inglewood, and have until March 23 to decide if they will move to Los Angeles for the 2016 season.

The Rams will play initially in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, their former home (1946-1979), and the former home of the LA Raiders.

In a statement on Tuesday night, Raiders owner Mark Davis said that the Raiders will now turn their attention to exploring all options to find a permanent stadium solution. He believes the only missing piece of the puzzle is whether San Antonio can guarantee a new stadium – which is part of the deal wherever the Raiders choose to move.

Dave Peacock, cohead of task force, said in an impromptu conference call that the process was “more contemplated and contrived than I realized” and that it appeared “St. Louis never had a chance”. Instead, the owners approved the Rams’ plan, but said that the Chargers would have the option of joining with the Rams.

The Rams have been in St. Louis for 21 years. Should public financing get the support of San Diego voters, the deadline to decide where the team will play would be extended to 2018.

For the Chargers, meanwhile, they still have the option to stay in San Diego if they desire. Mayor Kevin Faulconer left a message for Spanos on Wednesday, inviting him back to the negotiating table.

The Colts have the right idea here, and we’re sure a handful of fans will take up Indy’s offer and start rooting for Andrew Luck and Co.

The Oakland Raiders, who also wanted to move to the area, could move to Los Angeles if San Diego doesn’t, Commissioner Roger Goodell said.

Los Angeles Coliseum, the college football home of Southern California, would host at least one team until a new stadium is finished, probably in 2019 if relocation plans go forward.

The Raiders agreed to back out of the deal in exchange for additional loan money from the league that will be put to a new stadium in their home market.