The NFL "is expected to endorse" Michael Ovitz's
"razzle-dazzle design for revamping" the L.A. Coliseum --
dubbed "The Coliseum at Exposition Park" -- this week in
Atlanta, according to Simers & Newton of the L.A. TIMES.
Ovitz has told the NFL that his group would finance the
68,000-seat, $298M stadium, but "would need public money"
for the $225M to build parking spaces provided in his plan.
One NFL official said Ovitz's design "just blew everyone
away." Ovitz's plans for a redesigned Coliseum include the
"architectural look of the Roman Colosseum ... with a touch
of Hollywood," and "two end-zone glass towers to house"
luxury boxes, 200 luxury suites, 15,000 club seats and two
reflecting pools. The plans also call for a "misting
system" to keep fans cool and fountains, "which would spurt
water when a touchdown is scored." But "what may be most
eye-catching" about the plan is that the park around the
stadium would be "greener because the new parking structure
would be covered with grass and trees" (L.A. TIMES, 5/23).
GOING OVER-BROAD? Ovitz's design, and the fact that he
and L.A. bid rival Eli Broad "won't make formal
presentations" to the NFL until Monday night, may be "an
indication that Broad and his partners are struggling to win
a team." Sources said that "another sign of trouble for
Broad's effort" is that the NFL will not only "recommend
Ovitz's design for approval, but also ... ask him to remain
in Atlanta for an extra day" to make a Tuesday presentation
to the 31 owners. Ovitz has offered his design to the NFL
"with no strings attached," which would allow the league to
take it and "leave the competition for an owner open." But
a "complicating factor is that [Ed] Roski and Broad hold
what they consider to be a special negotiating right to
bring football to the Coliseum" (L.A. TIMES, 5/23).
OVITZ IN CHARGE? In L.A., Steve Dilbeck wonders if NFL
owners can select Ovitz's stadium design plans "and not pick
Ovitz as the owner." Broad: "I cannot predict what they're
going to do. They're going to do it on their timetable,
with whatever they're comfortable with. That's their
history and we respect that" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 5/23).
HOUSTON SEES WRITING ON THE WALL? In Houston, Mickey
Herskowitz writes that the NFL's expansion process is
"over," as L.A. was able to "stave off elimination, roar
from behind and clinch a win." Herskowitz adds that the
"quickness" with which Bob McNair "jumped on the defeat" of
the Cardinals stadium issue "might be a clue he knew the
race with Los Angeles had ended" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 5/24).
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER: Also in L.A., T.J. Simers wrote
that film exec Marvin Davis is negotiating with Hollywood
Park "to secure an option on 140 acres of land to build" a
stadium for an NFL expansion team. A source said that Davis
is "telling people that the NFL has urged him to join" the
L.A. bid and he has "assembled a team and he's talking about
doing a deal." A deal could come in time to make a
presentation to the NFL Monday in Atlanta (TIMES, 5/23).
