AEG, owner of StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., has "warned Mayor Jim Dear in a letter that fast-tracking a 'deeply flawed'" proposal for an NFL stadium in the city "and avoiding an extensive environmental analysis 'is an open invitation to litigation,'" according to Nick Green of the Torrance DAILY BREEZE. In the six-page letter, AEG "maintained there are 'numerous environmental and operational impacts'" between the StubHub Center and the proposed NFL site. AEG Chief Legal & Development Officer Ted Fikre said that the "'substantial overlap' between the NFL and MLS seasons could create significant effects on traffic, parking and police and fire services given the proximity of the two venues." Green notes AEG, which last week "abandoned longtime plans to build an NFL venue" in downtown L.A., has now twice "launched an attack on a competing Southern California stadium proposal." AEG last month "commissioned a report by former Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge that maintained the Inglewood NFL stadium site represented a security risk as a potential terrorist target." Dear "declined substantive comment and would not be drawn in on whether AEG was obliquely threatening a lawsuit in its lengthy letter" (Torrance DAILY BREEZE, 3/18).
READY TO BOLT? In San Diego, Nick Canepa noted if the Chargers move to L.A., it "would not be easy" for team President Dean Spanos and his family. Spanos has lived in San Diego for 30 years, and has always said that he "wants to stay, which he reiterated Monday." Canepa: "If he moves the team, San Diego will lose some of its light, but I, at least, will understand, and won’t be blaming him." Under the "best of circumstances," Spanos "can’t see a stadium being done" in San Diego until '21-22. Carson’s stadium "could be completed by 2019, possibly earlier." Canepa: "I’m not saying a move will happen, but if this doesn’t appear positive by the end of the year, it’s entirely possible September’s opening kickoff will be the team’s last in San Diego" (UTSANDIEGO.com, 3/17).
