Kings co-Owner Edward Roski will present an outline for
a $300M financing plan for a new L.A. Coliseum to the NFL
owners' stadium committee on Tuesday in DC, according to
T.J. Simers of the L.A. TIMES. The plan "includes the
expenditure" of $150M in public funds and "relies on the use
of surplus state sales taxes." In the outline, Roski and
partner Philip Anschutz "have also factored in" a successful
citywide referendum. However, an L.A. city official said
"[w]ithout the state part of the deal, they don't have a
thing. It all hinges on getting the state money, and that's
downright speculative." In addition to the financing plan,
Roski will also present the NFL owners with a 20-year
"operational plan" for an expansion team. Roski said that
the complete stadium/team ownership package is worth "more
than" $500M, including the proposed expansion fees. But
Simers wrote that NFL insiders "continue to cling to the
hope" that Dodger Owner Peter O'Malley, upon the completion
of his deal to sell to Rupert Murdoch, would "oversee the
construction" of a football stadium in Chavez Ravine. But
Roski said, "From a developers standpoint, I do not see how
it can be done at Dodger Stadium" (L.A. TIMES, 10/13).
49ERS NOT SET? Simers also reported that the 49ers
"have let it be known behind the scenes" that if they don't
get more financial assistance "by the first of the year"
they might consider moving. Team Owner Ed Debartolo
recently "took another look" at Inglewood's Hollywood Park
and there some speculate that the 49ers "might endorse" the
new Coliseum plan in order to "gain state funds" for their
own project in San Francisco (L.A. TIMES, 10/13).
IS ANSCHUTZ ON WAY OUT? Simers also reported that
Anschutz "has decided to play no part in returning football
to a new Coliseum ... and has informed Roski that he will
not be party to any NFL deal, and might buy out his
partner's interest in the arena." Sources told Simers that
Anschutz does not want this known at present for fear of
"jeopardizing" the duo's arena plan. But Roski called such
speculation "absolutely incorrect. ... Phil and I are
proceeding along as always." Simers added that without
Anschutz, who "will not" attend the DC meetings, "most
suspect" that Roski "would be unable" to bear the financial
burden of bringing football to L.A (L.A. TIMES, 10/13).
