In separate actions recently, the L.A. City Council
unanimously approved a motion to support legislation designed to
stop teams from moving, then authorized the expenditure of
$25,000 to market the L.A. Coliseum to potential franchise
tenants, according to the L.A. TIMES. L.A. Coliseum GM Pat
Lynch, on Councilman Mike Hernandez's support of the Fan Freedom
and Community Protection Act: "We are solidly against it. We
are in the business of stealing a team and feel that is the
Coliseum's best opportunity -- a team relocating here."
Hernandez was also instrumental in having the Ad Hoc Sports
Franchise Committee dedicate $100,000, $25,000 of which will come
from the City Council, for the marketing of the Coliseum. The
marketing plan would allow Lynch to court prospective Coliseum
clients, such as the Bucs or Cardinals. But Hernandez says the
marketing funds are for an expansion team: "I can see some
conflict in the Fans Protection and marketing the Coliseum,
assuming we want a team from another city. But we don't." T.J.
Simers notes the NFL has gone on record saying expansion is not
an option any time soon (L.A. TIMES, 4/29).
