Industry Approval Could Pave Way For More Calif. Stadium Deals

Approval Of Industry Stadium Could Help California Cities That Already Have NFL Teams

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Thursday signing a bill that gave final approval to an NFL stadium in City of Industry could wind up being good news "for those California cities that already have NFL teams," as "after years of resistance, this state is at long last willing to hop through hoops for the country's No. 1 sports league," according to Sam Farmer of the L.A. TIMES. Schwarzenegger's rationale for signing the bill, which exempts the venue from state environmental laws, is "he's been promised the project will create more than 18,000 jobs." But since Schwarzenegger "signed that legislation for the Industry project, he would be compelled [to] do the same for potential stadium deals in the Bay Area and San Diego, provided the planners of those projects promised the same type of jaw-dropping job numbers." Meanwhile, Farmer writes what will bring the NFL back to the L.A. area is an owner of an existing team "saying his financial situation in his current city is so dire that it makes more sense to move to Southern California and privately finance a stadium." This "could include buying his way out of his current lease, paying an NFL relocation fee, and giving up a piece of his team" to Majestic Realty Co. Chair & CEO Ed Roski (L.A. TIMES, 10/23). Rose Bowl GM Darryl Dunn said he thinks Roski and Majestic Realty VP John Semcken "have a chance" to bring an NFL team to Industry. Dunn: "Whereas in the past other cities helped provide subsidies for stadiums, with the economy the way it is it will be harder for cities to provide those same subsidies. That sort of balances the scales." Dunn added that the question is, will it "take one team or two to make Roski's project economically feasible" (SAN GABRIEL VALLEY TRIBUNE, 10/23).

READY TO BOLT? In N.Y., Randal Archibold notes much talk about a potential relocated team to the new Industry stadium "has centered on the Chargers." Chargers Special Counsel Mark Fabiani said that team Owner Alex Spanos and Roski "had discussed the Los Angeles stadium plan," and he "would not rule out a move, saying that would be a business decision and not a reflection of the team's sentiments toward San Diego fans, who have been selling out games recently" (N.Y. TIMES, 10/23). In California, Mark Walker reports backers of an "evolving plan for an Escondido stadium they envision as a new home" for the Chargers said that Schwarzenegger signing the bill "doesn't mean they're out of the game." Escondido Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler: "I believe the Chargers want to stay in San Diego County, but not at any price. The region needs to come up with a plan that is viable and makes sense. If we can do that, I believe the Chargers will stay here." Pfeiler added that she understands the desire of the Industry stadium developers to "avoid environmental lawsuits." But Pfeiler added, "I just wish the San Diego region could have that same recognition when we have a stadium proposal" (NORTH COUNTY TIMES, 10/23). A NORTH COUNTY TIMES editorial is written under the header, "City Of Industry Deal Is A Thoroughly Rotten One." The editorial: "Why is it necessary to give Roski and Industry such an advantage over, say, people in San Diego who would really like to keep their team? ... There is a palpable odor around the entire deal" (NORTH COUNTY TIMES, 10/23).

WATCHING CLOSELY: In Minneapolis, Mike Kaszuba reports the Vikings were "quick Thursday to reiterate that while they were monitoring developments in California, the team had so far rebuffed attempts from the California developers to consider moving" to L.A. NFL VP/Communications Brian McCarthy said the league also was following Thursday's actions, though "as it relates to a specific team, we haven't engaged in that process." McCarthy: "We have been, like (Vikings owner Zygi Wilf), working to keep the team in that area. That is our goal" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 10/23).

DON'T STOP Believing: A S.F. CHRONICLE editorial states the city "should not give up on the effort to keep the 49ers, even as the new team marches forward with plans for a Santa Clara stadium." One "small but critical step in the save-the-49ers drive would be lifting voter-approved restrictions on the sale of naming rights to Candlestick Park, which the team leases from the city." S.F. Supervisor Bevan Dufty said that passage of Proposition C, which "would allow the team to find a new stadium sponsor," would "generate revenue not only while the team continued to play in the old Candlestick, but would keep open the option of renovating the stadium instead of building a new one" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 10/23).