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L.A.'S FRANTIC PACE: IS OVITZ OUT? WILL O'MALLEY BE IN?

          Michael Ovitz "is preparing to drop his bid" to bring
     an NFL expansion team to Carson, CA, and is expected to
     "endorse a new proposal to renovate the Coliseum and build a
     new ballpark for the Dodgers at Exposition Park," according
     to sources of Newton & Simers of the L.A. TIMES.  Although
     he was not available to comment, Ovitz is expected to
     endorse the Coliseum effort by the end of the week.  Sources
     say Ovitz's move is "motivated by his belief that a new
     proposal to bring both football and baseball to Exposition
     Park represents an exciting possibility for sports" in L.A. 
     Ovitz's Carson effort "has been handicapped from the start
     by the strong business and political coalition united behind
     the Coliseum."  New Coliseum Partner Eli Broad has said he
     would welcome other investors into his group, including
     Ovitz.  Newton & Simers write that Ovitz and Broad "are
     neighbors," and that Ron Burkle, a leader in Ovitz's group,
     is a "close friend" of both Broad and L.A. Mayor Richard
     Riordan, "suggesting that a unified proposal might combine
     the two groups" (L.A. TIMES, 4/14).  But Carson City Manager
     Jerry Groomes tells the Long Beach PRESS-TELEGRAM: "I'm
     being told (by Ovitz people) that's [the L.A. Times report]
     not true" (Long Beach PRESS-TELEGRAM, 4/14). 
          OH REALLY, O'MALLEY: Meanwhile, "some" NFL execs are
     "suggesting" that L.A.'s bid would be strengthened by adding
     former Dodgers Owner Peter O'Malley.  O'Malley: "I
     appreciate that view.  I have talked to different people and
     have listened to what they have to say" (L.A. TIMES, 4/14).
          WHAT ABOUT FOX/NFL TALKS: Both the NFL and the Fox
     Group issued statements responding to yesterday's L.A. Times
     report that the two were in talks to build a new ballpark
     for the Dodgers at Exposition Park.  The Fox Group called
     the proposal from the NFL "one of many we have seen, [and]
     too preliminary and non-specific for us to comment on."  The
     Fox Group said it is "progressing" with "our plans of
     investment in -- and limited renovation of -- Dodger
     Stadium" (Fox). The NFL acknowledged talks with the Fox
     Group, but said it would "have additional comments" after a
     meeting in L.A. next week (Mult., 4/14).  The SportsBusiness
     Journal's Mullen & Rofe report in THE DAILY that high-level
     L.A. city officials were concerned that the proposal to
     build a new Dodger Stadium near the Coliseum could
     ultimately hurt the city's chances of bringing the NFL back
     to the city.  One top level City Hall staffer: "It's just an
     idea and it's spinning out of control and could complicate
     the task ahead."  Mullen & Rofe add that speculation was
     widespread in L.A. political circles that the plan was
     floated in an attempt to get public money for the Coliseum
     project (THE DAILY).  The L.A. DAILY NEWS' Brian Dohn writes
     that talk  of the Dodgers leaving Chavez Ravine "brought
     giggles from several team officials."  Dodgers President Bob
     Graziano: "We wouldn't make improvements to Dodger Stadium
     if we thought (we were leaving)" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 4/14).

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