An AZ Senate bill for a new Cardinals stadium was "once
thought all but dead," but "powerful lobbying interests are
breathing new life" into it, according to Nena Baker of the
ARIZONA REPUBLIC. Lobbyists for the Cardinals, Fiesta Bowl,
Cactus League and tourism and entertainment industries, as
well as "some lawmakers" are giving the bill, "in a version
close to its original form, favorable odds on being passed"
from the Legislature to Maricopa County's November ballot.
State Rep. Ken Cheuvront, who amended the bill on the House
floor "to allow millions of dollars of facility naming
rights to be retained by the public rather than the team,"
said, "I think the reality is that in the dark of night, we
will see a stadium bill passed out of this Legislature that
was put together by those hired by the Cardinals. They've
hired too many people to make sure that happens" (ARIZONA
REPUBLIC, 3/31). In L.A., T.J. Simers reported on
speculation that Cardinals Owner Bill Bidwill is looking to
move his team to L.A. But one NFL owner said, "The league
can't let that team go to Los Angeles. You can't take that
organization with the history that it has and expect a warm
reception. When we go back to Los Angeles we have to make
sure it's a success" (L.A. TIMES, 3/30).
