NFL Approves Rams' Relocation To Inglewood; Chargers Given Option To Join Them

The NFL has approved the relocation of the Rams back to Los Angeles for the 2016 season. The team will play temporarily at the LA Coliseum until they complete their proposed stadium in Inglewood.

In addition, the NFL has given the San Diego Chargers an option to join the Rams in Inglewood at some point down the road.

The vote to approve the plan was approved by a vote of 30-2 by NFL owners. It required 24 votes to pass.

For the Rams, it marks a return to the city they called home for nearly 50 years while, for the Chargers, if they should decide to join the Rams in Inglewood, it would mean the end of years of frustration caused by the inability of the team and the city of San Diego to reach an agreement on a new stadium.

The fact that a new state-of-the-art facility will be constructed is a game-changer not just for pro football, but also for college football.

Last night, the second College Football Playoff National Championship game was held in Phoenix. While the Rose Bowl has participated as a host for one of the CFP semi-finals, it has declined so far to bid on hosting the Championship Game.

I think it is inevitable that the Inglewood stadium will eventually bid for the National Championship game.

It also raises the question of the long-term viability of the Rose Bowl, in general. In other cities like Miami, Dallas and Phoenix, when new NFL stadiums have been built, their bowl games eventually moved to the newer facilities.

Now, knowing how closely the Rose Bowl is tied to the City of Pasadena, it's doubtful that the Tournament of Roses Association would ever consider relocating the Rose Bowl Game to the new stadium, but I don't think you can rule it out entirely if the money involved was substantial enough.

That may seem like blasphemy to many because the game has been played in the Arroyo Seco for over 100 years. Of course, ultimately, it comes down to money. If the Rose Bowl Stadium were to become too costly to maintain despite the recent renovation, anything would be possible.

And, while an on-campus stadium would obviously be preferred, wouldn't a short drive down the 405 to a UCLA game in Inglewood be preferred to the current drive over the hill and across the San Fernando Valley?

Of course, this news has a potential impact on UCLA season ticket holders as well. Many fans may now be faced with a decision of becoming Rams (and/or Chargers) ticket holders or remaining Bruin season ticket holders. That brings us to our poll question. With potentially two professional teams coming to town, how will you spend your entertainment dollars?

Go Bruins!!!