'Los Angeles Stadium' Developer John Semcken Says NFL Naming Rights Will Surpass AEG's Downtown Deal With Farmers

By Dennis Romero Wed., Feb. 23 2011 at 1:49 PM

Categories: NFL

Majestic Reality

Los Angeles Stadium in Industry.

While much of the media spotlight has illuminated a fantastic, last-minute effort by the owners of Staples Center to build an NFL stadium next to LA Live downtown, Majestic Realty has been quietly moving forward with its own "Los Angeles Stadium" dreams in the city of Industry.

And those dreams include blockbuster naming rights and the possibility of not one but two NFL teams.

That according to Majestic vice president John Semcken, who sat down with the Weekly for an hourlong interview Tuesday:

"Well probably have the largest naming-rights deal ever done," he said.

Earlier this month Staples owner AEG (Anschutz Entertainment Group) announced a $700 million naming rights deal for a downtown stadium that has yet to be formally proposed to the L.A. city planners. The stadium will be called Farmers Field, for Farmers Insurance.

Majestic Realty

A sketch of L.A. Stadium.

"Are we concerned about naming rights" the wake of that deal, Semcken said. "Not at all. I'm confident we'll get more money than that."

He noted that the Industry stadium is within an hour's drive of 15.5 million people, already has the land it needs, has all the approvals it needs, and is ready to go pending the move of an NFL team to L.A.

"That's the only thing left," he said. "We're ready to go."

Even with a subsequent California exemption, it took Majestic a year just for environmental impact report planning. It looks like AEG's stadium is at day one as far as that goes (no blueprints or architectural drawings have been revealed, and an architect for the project has yet to be announced).

Semcken said, he's planning on hosting two teams at the $800 million venue, making it more lucrative -- with at least 20 games instead of 10 regular-season match-ups.

He wouldn't say which teams might come to town but noted that Majestic, which would be part or whole owner, has talked to "all" of the candidates that would be eligible to move contractually.

"There's a possibility there will be two teams, yes," Semcken said.

Tags:

AEG, city of Industry, downtown stadium, Farmers Field, John Semcken, Los Angeles Stadium, Majestic Realty, NFL, Staples Center

We Recommend

joey

A Team in LA won't be successful unless it is an expansion team. L.A. residents mostly came from other parts of the country and that's where their loyalties lie. Only an expansion team will generate the grassroots support needed for a team to be successful there.

Fran

yes.. an expansion team. I don't want other peoples teams who can suddenly leave. I want my own team. A team that we can grown together with.

ScorpionLeather

I would also prefer to see an expansion team. It would give people the feeling that it "belongs" to LA and wasn't just snatched from somewhere else.

timmytight

You're right

ScorpionLeather

I drove by the site the other day.. it's actually in a beautiful location nestled amongst the hills. I can imagine if you were to drive north on the 57 fwy you'd have a spectacular view of the stadium while approaching from the south.

13dodgerblue

google stadiumfacebook stadium

Tom Brady, CEO

John, you are a smart man with a proven track record. While the media may lose sight of what is important in the short term, your planning, real estate discipline, mature understanding of the marketplace and financial realities will prevail. Good wishes to you and your NFL team(s) and thank you for visiting us in Sierra Madre!

California Rush

Amazing, and very down to earth unlike AEG with their head in place I will not mention. I just hope that the Industry Stadium is a competitive green project, and not a symbol of greed, polution, and waste. A lot of fans have expressed the desire to own the team that comes here, and that would add some serious support to this project.