When Peter Guber took part in the announcement of the formation of Los Angeles Football Club, his message was simple.

“Every creation brings drama to it,” the club’s executive chairman said. “We’re in the drama business.”

The Hollywood producer, plus managing partner and owner Henry Nguyen and club president Tom Penn are hoping that drama begins to build on Monday, when the club is expected to announce it will build its stadium on the site where the Sports Arena stands adjacent to the L.A. Coliseum. A dramatic moment? It would surprise no one if some of the more prominent members of the ownership group, like Magic Johnson or Tony Robbins, take part.

Since the club was officially founded last October, just after Chivas USA was decommissioned by Major League Soccer, the group has set out to first find the stadium site. The announcement on Monday will provide the details of the soccer-specific venue, which is expected to have a fan capacity of about 25,000.

Club officials have been quiet about the search for the stadium, but a page on the team website titled “The Search” states: “We’re building a world-class stadium — from the ground up — that will define American soccer and Greater Los Angeles. We’re seeking the perfect location for a soccer-specific stadium that will be a hub of diversity and culture. A stadium that blends into the community yet creates a unique experience for our fans. A location that becomes a destination and a pitch that feels like it’s your new home.”

The cost of the building is estimated at $150 million, unless the club has added some extravagances since detailing its early intentions.

The stadium is expected to be constructed in time for the 2017 MLS season, when LAFC officially enters the league as an expansion team.

The Sports Arena site has long been considered, even by Chivas USA when it was hoping to move out of StubHub Center, which it shared with the Galaxy.

But what part of the Greater Los Angeles area would be the right spot?

“It’s geographically so dispersed with such great numbers, we have to work out key decisions and compromises we might have to make in choosing one location over another,” Nguyen said. “With such a diversity, there is no perfect answer but we want to find the right answer and that includes engaging really what is already such a passionate football base here.”

 

dailybreeze.com

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