CA state officials have "launched an aggressive move to
take over" talks regarding L.A.'s NFL expansion bid, with
the "growing role" of CA Gov. Gray Davis in the talks the
"most striking development," according to Jim Newton of the
L.A. TIMES, who wrote that the move comes even as "major
issues, particularly the question of parking, remain
unsolved." But the growing involvement at the state level
"in part reflects frustration over the local handling of the
NFL talks," prompting Davis and the CA AG's office to
attempt to "push aside the commission that oversees the
Coliseum by arguing that the state ... should be the lead
negotiator" for Exposition Park. In addition to having
"spoken with NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue," Davis has
also appointed real estate investment banker Bill Chadwick
to "represent the state in negotiations." Newton wrote that
Chadwick is "one of the few who has won the confidence of
both" the Eli Broad- and Michael Ovitz-led groups. A source
close to Davis said that the governor feels that there "is
promise for this deal" (L.A. TIMES, 6/20). Gov. Davis chief
spokesperson Michael Bustamante: "If the NFL wants to come
to Los Angeles, that would be great. But the governor is
not interested in spending any state money on this deal"
(Long Beach PRESS-TELEGRAM, 6/21). Also in L.A., Daniel
Taub reports that Broad and Ovitz "seemed to be getting
closer to merging" their bids. Broad said the two are
"making progress," with Ovitz advisor Mark Fabiani adding,
"We are trying to exchange ideas, but it is still a very
informal process" (L.A. BUSINESS JOURNAL, 6/21 issue).
