Cowboys owner Jerry Jones: Downtown L.A. stadium ‘makes sense’

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The concept of building a football stadium in downtown Los Angeles next to Staples Center is just that: a concept. But it’s one that’s picking up steam with some influential people in NFL circles. By way of review, L.A. businessmen Casey Wasserman and Tim Leiweke are exploring the possibility of a retractable-roof venue located where the West Hall of the convention center now sits. That 250,000-square- feet of convention space would be replaced nearby, and the stadium also could serve as convention space (as well as potentially playing host to major indoor events such as Final Fours, concerts, title fights, etc.)
The downtown concept is in direct competition with one in the city of Industry, a proposal that has a head start of at least a year because its land is entitled and shovel-ready.
As preliminary as the downtown vision is, it got a noteworthy thumbs-up today from Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
“They are so credible and so substantive…. Leiweke has the utmost respect in the National Football League, and I have the most respect for everybody involved,” he said. “With all of that in mind, and with a real passion to have a team in Los Angeles, I like the way this thing is starting to sound.”
Jones said that a multi-use stadium “makes sense” and that he can speak to that better today because of his experiences with his own new stadium.
“It makes a lot of sense for downtown Los Angeles,” he said. “It’s what you’re looking for. You’re looking for people that are passionate and interested enough in a team and in sports. You’ve got to have that.”

-- Sam Farmer