ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) – The NFL has approached Anaheim city officials about possibly building a stadium complex for an NFL franchise that could begin play as soon as 2008.

The area has been without an NFL team since the Rams moved from Anaheim to St. Louis and the Raiders went from Los Angeles to Oakland before the 1995 season.

“We’re evaluating a possible stadium project in Anaheim with city officials along with the three sites in the Los Angeles area,” NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said late Wednesday by telephone from New York. “The discussions are exploratory and preliminary at this point.”

Aiello referred to the Los Angeles Coliseum, where the Raiders played before returning to Oakland; the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, and a proposed site in Carson.

“We’re working off a time line that would have us make a decision next May,” Aiello said. “As far as when a team could start playing there, it could be 08, it could be 09. We haven’t addressed the issue of a team in the Los Angeles area.

“Our sole purpose at this time is to develop some stadium alternatives for the league. This is part of our due diligence in terms of identifying outstanding potential stadium sites in the best markets.”

The proposed site in Anaheim is located next to Angel Stadium, where the Rams played. Anaheim Arena, where the NHL’s Mighty Ducks of Anaheim play, is also located nearby.

“There is significant interest from the Anaheim City Council and City management in bringing additional professional sports franchises to the city of Anaheim,” Mayor Curt Pringle said. “The success and popularity of our teams – the Anaheim Angels and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim – prove that fans from all over California travel to Anaheim to watch quality franchises and having an NFL team return to our city would be a welcome addition.”

John Nicoletti, Anaheim’s public information manager, said NFL officials have made several visits to Anaheim.