John Elway will meet with Eli Broad on Thursday in L.A.
to "discuss joining Broad's venture" to bring an NFL
expansion team to L.A., according to T.J. Simers of the L.A.
TIMES. While in town, Elway has "no plans to meet" with
Michael Ovitz, but the NFL "has let it be known that it
would like Elway to listen to Ovitz's overture before
reaching any conclusion." NFL execs feel that Elway could
be "an asset in the process." One official: "Elway sounds
very passionate about the prospects of becoming involved in
this. And that's something the Los Angeles process needs."
Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen has extended an offer to Elway to
own a small piece of his team, but he "advised Broad and
Ovitz that he will most likely be unable to satisfy Elway's
desire to also work in a significant management position
with the team, freeing him to pursue" the L.A. opportunity.
Elway's agent Marvin Demoff: "It's clear John's interests
are to be involved in the day-to-day operation of a football
team, whether it's in Denver, Los Angeles or someplace else
in the future." Meanwhile, NFL execs met with Disney Chair
Michael Eisner this past week "and left encouraged with
future discussions expected." Broad also met with Steven
Spielberg in an effort to broaden his ownership group. But
one NFL exec noted the slow pace of progress: "We're just
not seeing all that much happening so far. We're moving
closer and closer to Sept. 15, and we're nowhere near to
getting something resolved" (L.A. TIMES, 5/9). The
SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL's Liz Mullen writes that "speculation
is rampant" that former Dodgers Owner Peter O'Malley "could
either form his own group or join an existing group" bidding
for an NFL expansion team in L.A. (SBJ, 5/10 issue).
NEW BUSINESS PARTNER? Michael Ovitz was profiled in the
N.Y. TIMES MAGAZINE. Ovitz, on his controversial image in
Hollywood: "I've left bodies in my path, believe me, because
I'm aggressive and sometimes I'm insensitive. But it's a
whole new world out there" (N.Y. TIMES MAGAZINE, 5/9).
WHAT ABOUT US! An editorial in the HOUSTON CHRONICLE
runs under the header, "NFL Is Running Out The Clock On
Houston, McNair," and asks, "How many deadline extensions
will the NFL be willing to grant Los Angeles while Houston's
bid ripens on the vine?" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 5/8).
