A study commissioned by the group proposing to build an NFL stadium in downtown Los Angeles recommended against locating a stadium in Inglewood because it could be a terrorist target due to the fact that it's under the LAX flight path.
Building a stadium in the flight path of LAX, near the Hollywood Park racetrack and The Forum would expose it to "significant" risks and threats, according to the study, "LAX Layering Risk NFL," by former Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge.
"It is clear that LAX is attractive to terrorists and other mal-intended actors seeking a target with significant symbolic and economic value," said Ridge, in his report.
Inglewood Mayor James Butts dismissed the findings, insisting the site proposed by AEG is actually more likely to be targeted by terrorists.
"On approach you'd get to downtown before you get to Inglewood, so (it's) ludicrous to say that," Butts said.
Michael Roth of AEG had no comment Friday night. Ridge's office also declined to comment.
AEG is competing against other developers who want to build a stadium in Inglewood. A recently unveiled proposal for an NFL stadium there could be put to voters as early as June. If voters approve, construction could begin next year for a 2018 opening, according to the team of developers that includes St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke.
U.S. & World
The Los Angeles area has become the hottest market for stadiums in the country, though the NFL must approve any plan for relocation, a lengthy and complex process.
The Raiders and the San Diego Chargers announced last week that they are planning a shared stadium in Carson, also in the Los Angeles suburbs, if both teams fail to get new stadiums in their current hometowns. Another stadium has been proposed in the city of Industry, near Los Angeles.
