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NFL OWNERS APPROVE HOLLYWOOD PARK PLAN FOR RAIDERS

     The NFL owners yesterday approved a plan to build a new
$200M football stadium in Hollywood Park in what was called a
"huge step toward keeping the Raiders in Los Angeles," according
to Steve Springer in today's L.A. TIMES.  Owners voted 27-1, with
the Jets voting against, and the Redskins and Seahawks abstaining
(L.A. TIMES, 5/25).
     THE PLAN:  1) The new stadium will receive at least one
Super Bowl, in 2000, with a second game possible in 2005 (Will
McDonough, BOSTON GLOBE, 5/25).  2) The Raiders are obligated to
play the next two seasons (while waiting for the construction to
be completed) in the L.A. area.  3) The Raiders will be allowed
to market Super Bowl tickets equal to the number of club seats
already sold, up to a maximum of 10,000.  3) The second NFL
tenant will be required to pay Raiders Owner Al Davis half the
amount he puts into the stadium project.  4) Hollywood Park will
be required to shut down its gambling operations on the days of
the two Inglewood Super Bowls.  Hollywood Park racetracks
officials "do not object" to the shutdown before and during
games, but "are expected to oppose a continued shutdown" once
games are over (L.A. TIMES, 5/25).  5) Clubs agree to waive their
visiting team shares of premium club seat revenue at the new
stadium for up to 12 years, an additional $50M or more (Greg
Cote, MIAMI HERALD, 5/25).  In S.F., Glenn Dickey writes, "Some
details have already been negotiated.  Davis would get a small
percentage of concessions, parking and advertising and the
revenue from the luxury boxes.  Hollywood Park would get the
revenue from club seating, in return for which the Raiders would
play rent-free" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 5/25).
     STRINGS ATTACHED?  In Washington, Dave Sell writes "there
are strings" to the second Super Bowl.  The plan states that a
second Super Bowl will be awarded after the league acquires,
through negotiation, an option to place a second team in the new
stadium for the '98 season.  The stadium would not lose that
second Super Bowl if the league "declined to exercise that
option" (WASHINGTON POST, 5/25).  In L.A., Ron Rapaport writes to
Davis:  "Can you be sure -- can you be absolutely sure -- that
the new stadium will sell out any more often than the Coliseum
does?  That is the one nasty uncertainty about running a sports
franchise in L.A., isn't it, Al?" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 5/25).
     THE NEW TEAM:  In San Francisco, Glenn Dickey reports that
the "earliest" a second team would be in L.A. would be for the
'98 season.  But league sources think it is more likely a second
team would not be added "for at least another five seasons" (S.F.
CHRONICLE, 5/25).  The second L.A. area team, however, "doesn't
necessarily" have to play at Hollywood Park -- with Anaheim
Stadium also possible (Michele Himmelberg, ORANGE COUNTY
REGISTER, 5/25).
     DEADLINE FOR DAVIS:  The league imposed a deadline of June 1
for the Raiders and Hollywood Park to close the deal.  NFL
Commissioner Paul Tagliabue appointed a three-man committee
consisting of 49ers President Carmen Policy, Broncos Owner Pat
Bowlen, and Panthers Owner Jerry Richardson to assist the Raiders
and Hollywood Park "in consummating the deal" (Thomas George,
N.Y. TIMES, 5/25).
Many reports note that despite having the Hollywood Park option,
Davis is still uncertain on what he will do.  Davis:  "All it
[represents] is another option.  Put it in the mix and stir it up
with everything else we've looked at" (Len Pasquarelli, ATLANTA
CONSTITUTION, 5/25).  Davis:  "Under ideal conditions, we could
be (at Hollywood Park) in a week, or in another venue in a week.
It's all in place."  In Orange County, Michelle Himmelberg
writes, "In other words, Davis is ready to make a decision, the
paperwork is ready for him to sign" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER,
5/25).
     LEAGUE REAX:  In New York, Thomas George notes "an
uncomfortable feeling among some owners that the Raiders would be
playing in a complex that will have horse racing and casino
venues adjacent to the stadium (N.Y. TIMES, 5/25).  Dolphins
VP/GM Eddie Jones:  "We traded inventory for stability" (MIAMI
HERALD, 5/25).  Chiefs Owner Lamar Hunt:  "We've already lost the
Rams in Los Angeles, we can't to lose the Raiders.  It is just
too important to the health of the league" (John Helyar, WALL
STREET JOURNAL, 5/25).
     ALWAYS OPTIMISTIC:  In Oakland, city and Coliseum reps were
"unmoved" by Wednesday's developments.  East Bay officials said
Davis told them Wednesday, after the meetings, "not to write him
off."  Oakland Deputy City Manager:  "As long as he hasn't made a
decision, we have a legitimate chance" (Poole & Li, OAKLAND
TRIBUNE, 5/25).  Coliseum Board President George Vukasin:  "Our
proposal is very much on the table, probably better than the one
at Hollywood Park" (Rick DelVecchio, S.F. CHRONICLE, 5/25).
     ATLANTA CHANCES FOR SUPER BOWL HURT?  In Atlanta, Len
Pasquarelli reports that the Super Bowls awarded to Hollywood
Park may hurt the city's chances of a Super Bowl in 2000.
Atlanta was one of six cities vying for the 2000 game.  Atlanta
Sports Council Exec Dir Robert Morgan:  "We're disappointed at
the possibility of not being able to bid on the 2000 game, but
hope to be considered for future ones" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION,
5/25).  Boston's megaplex vote put them in the mix for the 2001
game.  The league plans to address future Super Bowl sites at its
fall meeting in Chicago in October (Nick Pugliese, TAMPA TRIBUNE,
5/25).

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