AEG says Inglewood stadium presents terrorist threat
By Will Osgood
A study sponsored by AEG says Inglewood stadium would present a terror threat if built.
The race to build a stadium for an NFL team in Los Angeles has finally gotten nasty. It was only a matter of time.
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Anschutz Entertainment Group (from here on AEG) sponsored and published a study done by former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge that says the accepted proposal to build a stadium in Inglewood at the former site of Hollywood Park is a “terrorist event ‘twofer'”.
Ridge’s 14-page report says that because the stadium would be within three to four miles of international airport LAX, it would be more tempting for terrorists in a mass-bombing scenario.
His conclusion is then, of course, that the stadium should not be built. The story broke Friday when Ridge’s findings were obtained by Sam Farmer of the LA Times.
The report of his findings come on the heels of a unanimous decision Tuesday evening from the Inglewood City Council to move forward to build a $1.86 billion NFL stadium on the former Hollywood Park site.
Appeals to that decision could be made within 30 days and would be considered.
But this appeal, if you must, is interesting for a few reasons. One, it is a legit reason to potentially not build the stadium. Two, AEG sponsored it.
AEG has been trying to get a new stadium built in the Los Angeles area for a few years. It announced a few years back plans to build Farmer’s Field in the LA Live area (near Staples Center). No significant progress has been made toward that end, and an April 17 deadline to finalize plans with the City of Los Angeles is just around the corner.
AEG remains committed to that process while also recognizing the need to hold off the Inglewood project if they’re able.
“We have been working diligently and in good faith…to advance NFL discussions while also exploring plans for other development alternatives around the LA Live campus.”
The move to LA by the NFL seems inevitable at this point. Carson is also a possible site, as the Raiders and Chargers announced a possible “joint stadium” agreement with the city last week.
The NFL has not commented directly on any of the developments, instead choosing to watch from afar, likely gauging the situation and gathering facts. Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL ought to know, though, that the NFL is coming to Los Angeles.
At this point, it is only a matter of when and where exactly. And will it be safe?
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