The Raiders and Chargers added some clout to their joint stadium proposal in Carson on Wednesday morning, with the announcement that Disney chairman and CEO Robert Iger will be involved in the project.
Iger will become the chairman of Carson Holdings LLC and be the final say in most aspects of the project if it’s approved by NFL owners.
The announcement was made Wednesday morning, before select NFL owners met in New York and heard stadium pitches from San Diego, Oakland and St. Louis, home markets with teams considering relocation to Los Angeles.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
[RELATED: Oakland makes pitch to keep Raiders]
Iger, CEO of Disney, which owns ESPN, has strong relationships with several owners and could be a valuable influence helping the NFL make the most of his latest foray into the Los Angeles market.
Iger’s presence on the Carson ticket should give owners confidence in the project, which is directly competing with Rams owner Stan Kroenke’s stadium proposal in Inglewood.
Raiders owner Mark Davis, was excited about the addition.
NFL
“Adding someone the caliber of Bob Iger is a significant piece of the Los Angeles puzzle,” Davis said, via the Los Angeles Daily News. “The Raiders and Chargers are excited and thrilled to have him on board. L.A. is a big puzzle that we want to get right.
“The goal is to get it right in L.A. There is a lot to offer and connect into and Bob Iger helps tap into those opportunities.”
[RATTO: With Iger, NFL's attempt to recolonize LA Basin just got kinky]
Iger has an option to buy into one of the teams playing in Carson if the stadium is approved, and after he vacates his current post.