Federal Judge George King "urged" the NFL and the
Raiders to "settle a lawsuit that may yet determine whether
pro football returns" to L.A, according to Alan Abrahamson
of the L.A. TIMES. But attorneys for both sides said a deal
is "highly unlikely." Abrahamson reports that the case,
which "centers" on the Raiders' claim that they "own" the
L.A. market, could "prove key" in whether an expansion team
comes to L.A. or whether the Raiders "return to town." The
case is "nowhere near trial" (L.A. TIMES, 11/17).
FOR THE FAITHFUL: The Raiders' crowd of 51,527 on
Sunday against the Seahawks was their second-largest of the
year, and the team is "hoping" for its first sellout
December 6 against the Dolphins (OAKLAND TRIBUNE, 11/16).
L.A. STORIES: In N.Y., Richard Sandomir writes on the
competition for the NFL's 32nd team between Ed Roski and
Michael Ovitz. Roski, asked if he would sell his NV casino
to land a team: "If that's the rule, I'll accept it and live
within it." Roski said he rejected the Carson site
currently being touted by Michael Ovitz for his sports
facility because of a $35M cleanup that is required. But
Ovitz said he chose Carson because, "There's no flat land in
L.A. without something dumped on it" (N.Y. TIMES, 11/17).
