L.A. Coliseum's Future In Doubt Despite Potential USC Deal

Legislators Propose Disbanding L.A. Coliseum Commission

Three pieces of legislation have been proposed to disband the L.A. Coliseum Commission, with "two of those requiring the state [to] sell the parcel of land on which the venue sits," according to Patrick McGreevy of the L.A. TIMES. California State Senators Mark Ridley-Thomas and Jeff Denham and Assemblyman Chuck DeVore all "have pieces of legislation in the pipeline to do away with the commission," a byproduct of the public fight between the Univ. of Southern California and the commission, which "culminated with the school's threatening to play football games next season at the Rose Bowl." Ridley-Thomas' initiative "seeks to establish the Exposition Park Authority, responsible for management and operation of all state-owned properties within the park, including the Coliseum," and also calls for the sale of the Sports Arena. The legislation yesterday was approved by a 5-3 vote by the Senate Committee on Business, Professions & Economic Development, with the County Board of Supervisors "expected to vote today on whether to oppose the initiative." USC and the commission in February "staged a signing ceremony" of a non-binding letter of intent that gave USC a 25-year lease that can extend to 47 years. The agreement was then handed to lawyers "who were given a 60-day window to formalize it." McGreevy notes that window closes this week and there is "little chance a deal will be completed when it does." Both sides said that they are "unfazed by the possibility of missing that deadline" (L.A. TIMES, 4/8).