Three potential owners for an NFL expansion team in
L.A. "slipped out of NFL headquarters Monday afternoon, and
with them went virtually any chance the league will puts its
32nd franchise" in Southern CA, according to Matt McHale of
the L.A. DAILY NEWS. Wednesday is the deadline for L.A. to
finalize its ownership plans, but the league "will not close
the door" on the city until its owners meetings in Atlanta
on October 5. Meanwhile, league officials were "still
intrigued" by the possibility of a deal with Marvin Davis
and a stadium at Hollywood Park. After meeting separately
with members of the league's Expansion Committee, only
Houston bid leader Bob McNair emerged "beaming and
talkative." McNair: "I just don't see how Los Angeles can
come up with a new plan by Oct. 5." McHale writes that
Michael Ovitz is still pursuing a team, but he is "no longer
affiliated with either Carson or the Coliseum" project (L.A.
DAILY NEWS, 9/14). One NFL insider, noting that no L.A.
members met the media: "They didn't come out to say anything
because none of them had much new to say." Marvin Davis was
represented at the meeting by his son, Gregg. NFL
VP/Communications Greg Aiello: "Hollywood Park is probably
the most doable of the three sites in Los Angeles. They
have parking available, they have land. It could be done
more easier than the other two sites." One source said that
the league now wants to "create the semblance of an auction
between McNair and Davis" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 9/14). In
L.A., T.J. Simers reports that Hollywood Park "has become
the new last resort" for L.A.. The league has "indicated"
to Davis it will "work on his behalf to bring John Elway" to
L.A. to assist in marketing and participate in team
management if Davis gets the final bid (L.A. TIMES, 9/14).
HE'S SETTING HIS PRICE, HE'S CHECKING IT TWICE: McNair
will now review projections of how much revenue a team can
earn in Houston, and in the "next week or so," he will make
a bid. McNair: "There is a possibility that the price that
the owners want for a franchise is higher than what anyone
would pay, that can always happen. I don't think we're at
that point" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 9/14). In Houston, Dale
Robertson writes that in making a bid, McNair "won't be
taken for a chump." Robertson: "Those who really know
McNair believe he will stay the course as long as the NFL
treats him fairly" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 9/14). FSN's Keith
Olbermann: "It has been widely speculated among the cynic
population in Los Angeles that the league is extending this
process for the sole purpose of jacking the price up on the
Texas group. Nahhhhh" ("Primetime," FSN, 9/13).
MESS WITH BIG MO IN THE MIDDLE? NBC's Jay Leno: "I
guess you know the NFL season got underway over the weekend.
Still, no team here in L.A. You know what we should do?
Why don't we have the Dodgers and the Angels try football.
Maybe they're just in the wrong sport" (NBC, 9/13).
