Rick Baedeker, a spokesperson for R.D. Hubbard, CEO of
Hollywood Park, said they are "a quarter-mile ahead of the rest"
in the race to bring an NFL team to L.A., according to the
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER. Others interested in returning the
NFL to L.A. include Dodgers Owner Peter O'Malley and Disney Chair
Michael Eisner. Eisner's plans are yet to take shape, and
O'Malley has said he is interested in an expansion team. Hubbard
also faces competition from a group formed by L.A. Mayor Richard
Riordan called Football L.A. Members of Football L.A. think
Hubbard is acting as a "lone ranger," and not following NFL
procedures. Football L.A. Chair Fred Rosen: "The league has made
it clear to us that they have reserved the rights of Los Angeles
for the league. If anybody tries to come to Los Angeles without
going through the process that the league has determined, my
feeling is the league will protect its rights by whatever legal
recourse they determine." Hubbard thinks his greatest
competition is from O'Malley, but he noted the Dodgers' proposal
is contingent on expansion. Hubbard's proposed stadium at
Hollywood Park has already been approved by the Inglewood City
Planning Commission and been received final a positive
environmental impact report. Baedeker: "With that process being
done, our land is owned, it's zoned and it's permitted. Frankly,
if we had a deal, we could put a shovel in the ground tomorrow
and build it" (Angelo Bruscas, SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER,
12/21).
