AP Pro Football Writer (AP) - INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Commissioner Roger Goodell says if the NFL puts a team in Los Angeles, it is probable the league would expand to 34 franchises.
Appearing Thursday night on "Costas Live" on NBC Sports Network, Goodell says the league "doesn't want to move any of our teams." He said if a suitable stadium is built in the Los Angeles area, "we probably don't want to go to 33" teams by adding just one new club. Instead, the league would consider adding two. An odd number of teams would pose scheduling problems.
There has been speculation an LA stadium could house two NFL franchises, although Goodell did not address that with host Bob Costas.
Goodell says there are several issues that must be solved in LA, particularly which of two current stadium proposals is best. He didn't suggest any timetable for returning to Southern California.