Panthers Owner & NFL Expansion Committee co-Chair Jerry
Richardson said that L.A. has "done little to develop a
stadium plan worthy" of an NFL franchise, according to John
Williams of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE, who writes if L.A.,
"after more than four months of exclusive dealing with the
NFL, can't show that it is making progress toward a mid-
September deadline, Houston has a good shot." Williams adds
that tonight's NFL meeting in Chicago is "pivotal for the
future of football" in L.A. and Houston. Richardson: "We
haven't made a lot of progress in Los Angeles. But I hope
to get surprised when I get to Chicago. Maybe they will get
it done, and maybe we will go to Houston." Houston business
exec Bob McNair said yesterday that the city has "better
than a 50-50 chance" of getting the team. McNair: "All they
are doing out there (L.A.) is talking about the trivial
things. They aren't addressing the tougher issues -- like
how to fund the project and will there be enough revenues to
make it work." More McNair, on the NFL "trying to force" a
team to L.A.: "A community has to be ready and wanting the
NFL. [Broncos Owner Pat] Bowlen said the same thing. There
is really nobody in Los Angeles really saying they want the
NFL." McNair said that he has "gotten a pledge" from the
NFL that if the league "decides to help" L.A. finance a
stadium, it will "give the same option" to Houston.
However, NFL execs told McNair that they would "increase"
the franchise fee "closer" to $650M, not the $500M that had
been "suggested." McNair: "They are doing this to make it
look like the NFL is contributing money. That way, they can
make an argument that the public should contribute" (HOUSTON
CHRONICLE, 7/27). Bowlen said his view on the uncertain
L.A. situation is "one man's opinion -- not the league's
opinion." Bowlen: "I told [McNair], in one man's opinion,
it appears where [L.A.] is at now is a long way from where
they need to be" (ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, 7/27). Browns
President Carmen Policy, on an expansion team in L.A.: "We
must be there. Somehow, some way we must be there. But
just being there isn't enough. We have to be on site, in
[L.A.], with an organization that succeeds. Failing in
[L.A.] again would be disastrous" (CNNfn, 7/26).
CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'? In L.A., Newton & Simers write,
"Key to their [L.A. bid group's] new approach is a subtle
but important shift in rhetoric. No longer do the
prospective owners and their public allies talk about
`public money'; the new phrase of choice is `public
investment.'" More Newton & Simers: "The reluctance of [CA]
public officials to take the lead on the issue suggests that
[L.A.] will find other ways to help, perhaps by assisting
with an effort to acquire land near the site that could
sweeten the deal for the NFL" (L.A. TIMES, 7/27). One L.A.
official, on state-appointed negotiator Bill Chadwick's
Coliseum financing plan: "The only concern with the way
Chadwick is doing things is that he's trying to please
everyone in L.A., asking for too much from the NFL, too many
silly things, and might turn off the NFL owners and force
them to go to Houston" (L.A. TIMES, 7/27).
HASTA LA VISTA ... AGAIN? The SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL'S
Liz Mullen reports of a possible L.A. partnership between
Raiders Owner Al Davis and Marvin Davis. Mullen: "One rumor
circulating in sports business circles for the last several
weeks has Al Davis buying out of his lease with Oakland and
Alameda County authorities to bring the Raiders to a new
stadium at Hollywood Park" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 7/26).
