The "game is on between Peter O'Malley and R.D. Hubbard for
the return" of football to L.A., according to the L.A. TIMES.
Hubbard, Chair & CEO of Hollywood Park, announced plans on Friday
to build a 65,000-seat stadium on the track's property. While it
will not be completed until '98, he expects a relocated NFL team
to play on an interim basis in '96 in either the Rose Bowl or the
Coliseum. The construction of the stadium is "contingent upon"
Hollywood Park reaching an agreement with an existing team to
move to L.A. Hubbard would not reveal which teams had expressed
interest. Hubbard: "We're anywhere from 18 months to two years
ahead of any other site in the greater Los Angeles area."
Hubbard said he could have a signed deal with a team by January
1. There have been questions "throughout the NFL about Hollywood
Park's financial status and its ties to gambling," and Hubbard's
"stance on the financial stability of his operation might be
challenged on a couple of fronts" (L.A. TIMES, 12/9). The
facility would be built between Hollywood Park race track and the
Forum (L.A. TIMES, 12/9).
