Houston NFL bid leader Bob McNair said that he does
"not believe" that CA billionaire Marvin Davis "is serious"
about spending $1B to win an expansion team in L.A.,
according to Eric Hanson of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. McNair:
"It is just talk at this point. ... I think it is all much
to-do about nothing." McNair said that Davis' Hollywood
Park site still faces obstacles, as "an environmental impact
study must be conducted prior to any construction there,"
which could "take years." Davis must pay $250,000 by Friday
for a second option on the land. McNair: "If he is not
willing to put that ($250,000) at risk, you know he is not
very serious." NFL sources told Hanson that "the league is
involved in franchise fee negotiations with McNair, and that
bringing Davis in at the last minute is designed to increase
the price" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 9/23). CNBC's Jerry Cobb
reported that in the past, Davis has "failed" at attempts to
buy the Cowboys, Broncos, Dodgers and A's. Sports Business
Group President David Carter: "You can't discount him
because of his cash flow, because of his understanding of
the southern California market and because of his
positioning, his real estate holdings in Englewood and
surrounding area. From that standpoint, he does very well
on the checklist." IF Enterprises' Steve Herz: "Marvin
Davis is known as a big flirt in the sports world and he's
never actually pulled the trigger" (CNBC, 9/22).
