SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 2: CEO Jed York of the San Francisco 49ers stands on the sideline during halftime of the game against the St. Louis Rams at Levi Stadium on November 2, 2014 in Santa Clara, California. The Rams defeated the 49ers 13-10. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York embraced the relocation of the Rams from St. Louis to Los Angeles - if for no other reason than geography.
"We didn't have anything to do with the Rams deciding where they wanted to be," York told reporters Monday in his first public comments on the move by the 49ers' NFC West rival. "But it's certainly nice to have that L.A.-San Francisco rivalry, something that's been there in the past.
"We're looking forward to it and we're obviously very supportive of them being there and we're looking forward to another rivalry like we have in baseball and basketball, and even hockey," York added. "It'll be nice to have that in football again."
The Rams, Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers were among three teams lobbying to move to two different sites in Southern California. Rams owner Stan Kroenke received NFL approval from the league last month, but York believes either the Chargers or Raiders eventually will partner with them.
"It was a hard-fought battle for everybody and I think you're going to see a great project with Stan and we'll see who else joins him in Los Angeles," York said. "It doesn't seem like anybody's going this year, but certainly in years to come I'd certainly expect one of the other teams to join him at some point."
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