Los Angeles interested in Falcons, according to report

The Atlanta Falcons would really like a new, open-air stadium. Money, of course, is an issue, as in how much the public will contribute toward the of the estimated $1 billion cost of the stadium. Keep that in mind when reading the rest of this story.

Monday, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed warned city council members (as well as FOX 5) that Los Angeles is interested in bringing an NFL team back to Southern California, and the Falcons may be a candidate.

This information was delivered to Reed and Georgia state officials by Falcons owner Arthur Blank, who obviously has reason for turning up the heat on decision-makers.

For more on the story, visit The Falcoholic

It's unclear how serious Los Angeles is about the Falcons. Both Reed and Blank may be trying to put pressure on officials to support the proposed new stadium. Reed reportedly met with individual members of city council and advocated that the city lead public financing for a new stadium in downtown Atlanta. The proposal has been estimated at $1 billion.

Los Angeles has not had a hometown NFL team since the Rams moved to St. Louis before the 1994 season, and the Raiders moved back to Oakland before the 1995 season.

A number of teams have been considered candidates to move recently. The Minnesota Vikings, San Diego Chargers, St. Louis Rams, Oakland Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills have all been bandied about as possible relocation candidates in the past year. None of those teams has enjoyed the level of success that the Falcons have had lately, however.