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).