AEG seeks 6-month extension for NFL stadium deal

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Plans for an NFL stadium in downtown Los Angeles may not be dead after all. Anschutz Entertainment Group is seeking a six-month extension to put together a deal that would build a professional football stadium near Staples Center.

Agreements with the city to build the stadium - initially approved in October 2012 - are set to expire Oct. 17.

"We're going to do something with this convention center whether it's a stadium or not," Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said. "Since the NFL makes its decision in March, we figured October was a pretty arbitrary deadline."

In a statement, AEG said: "We have resumed discussions with the NFL and while much remains to be done before a deal could come together, we remain committed to this project."

City Council President Herb Wesson said if a deal is struck, the extra time would be worth it.

"If there is an opportunity given six months of additional conversation that we might work this out, then in my opinion, it's worth it," Wesson said.

Wesson said the most important part of the project is the renovation of the convention center. AEG said renovations are part of its plans.

Others, however, feel the city needs to look more closely at other options in case AEG can't bring a team to Los Angeles.

"You can't just be waiting in lockstep, waiting for that decision, and then find out nothing happened and then start from that point. I think we have to work on this simultaneously," City Councilman Bernard Parks said.