The Carson NFL stadium project yesterday "made a bold move to elevate its standing" in the competition for a stadium in L.A. by appointing Disney Chair & CEO Bob Iger to oversee its effort, according to a front-page piece by the L.A. TIMES' Farmer & Fenno, who write under the header, "Disney's Bob Iger Is On The Ball With Carson's NFL Stadium Project." Former NFL exec Carmen Policy, who now serves as Exec Dir of Carson Holdings, called the addition of Iger a “game-changer." Policy: “We now have the kind of leadership and expertise that should calm any concerns about any NFL teams going into L.A. and getting off on the right foot and pursuing the right course." The NFL held committee meetings yesterday at league HQ in N.Y., and at least one owner "questioned the impact of the hiring." Jets Owner Woody Johnson said of Iger, "Smart guy, very capable. But I don't know how he relates to football." Farmer & Fenno note the Iger move was "viewed by some as window dressing for a project that isn't expected to be ready" until '18. Panthers Owner Jerry Richardson, a member of the NFL’s Committee on L.A. Opportunities, said that he "supports the Carson plan." Farmer & Fenno note the uncommitted owners "are now being lobbied behind the scenes by the two camps, each of which likely has the requisite nine votes to block the other" (L.A. TIMES, 11/12). Farmer wrote on his Twitter feed, "Important to remember on Bob Iger & Carson: This isn't 'Will you help us win?' but 'If we win, will you help us?' But he does give a boost." In L.A., Vincent Bonsignore writes by bringing Iger aboard, the Chargers and Raiders "added some muscle and star power" to their joint stadium effort, and "stole considerable thunder in the process." Raiders Owner Mark Davis: "Adding someone the caliber of Bob Iger is a significant piece of the Los Angeles puzzle. The goal is to get it right in L.A. To do it right. It’s such a unique market, and there is a lot to offer and connect into in terms of entertainment and development and game-day experience. Bob Iger absolutely helps tap into those opportunities" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 11/12).
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Disney's BOD approved the deal between Iger and Carson Holdings on Tuesday night
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PIECE OF THE PIE: In San Diego, Steve Bosh wrote bringing Iger on board is "certainly a bold move," and there is "no doubt it was meant to show any NFL owners on the fence that the Chargers and Raiders have a credible project in Carson." Bosh: "Why Bob Iger? It's an opportunity for him to own a big chunk of an NFL team" (KUSI.com, 11/11). Also in San Diego, Dan McSwain writes the deal "matches the team with arguably the world’s most successful and powerful entertainment-industry executive." It is "hard to imagine a better partner for the Chargers." Iger "knows how to make billions selling entertainment, and the NFL is, above all, an entertainment company." Now that he is on the team, the door to L.A. "may swing wide open for the Chargers" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 11/12). In St. Louis, Benjamin Hochman notes now the Carson project "has something behind it more powerful than momentum and fancy blueprints." Hochman: "They have Mickey. They have Disney" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 11/12). In California, Scott Reid writes with Iger, the Raiders and Chargers "have secured Hollywood’s ultimate power broker and the seal of approval of arguably the planet’s most recognizable entertainment brand." Not only is Iger on board with the Carson project, but "so is the Disney board, a fact that didn’t go unnoticed in the NFL’s offices and conference rooms" yesterday. The Disney BOD "approved the deal between Iger and Carson Holdings on Tuesday night." The BOD includes Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, Twitter Founder & Chair Jack Dorsey, former Proctor & Gamble President of Global Business Units Susan Arnold, Blackberry Exec Chair & CEO John Chen, Estee Lauder Chair of Global Affairs Fred Langhammer and U.S. Hispanic Media Chair Monica Lozano. Iger also "brings a sense of gravitas to a project that some in the NFL, most notably" Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones and Redskins Owner Daniel Snyder, have argued that Rams Owner Stan Kroenke "gave the Inglewood project and was previously absent in Carson." Iger also "undercuts the argument put forth by Jones and other Kroenke allies that the Inglewood project represented the best chance for not only the NFL’s success in Los Angeles but also in driving up value of franchises around the league" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 11/12).
BACK IN THE SPORTS GAME? In L.A., Meg James writes the move "would certify Iger's membership in the upper echelons" of L.A. civic circles. The move was made in part to "send a signal to the NFL that its stadium project would be of high quality and commercially viable." James: "Who better to entrust the project to than the executive who has decades of experience in building fan-pleasing theme parks?" Some media insiders speculated that Iger's involvement with the NFL "could ultimately position him to become the next NFL commissioner -- a scenario that a person close to Iger quickly dismissed" (L.A. TIMES, 11/12). Also in L.A., Hugo Martin asks, "Is Walt Disney Co. trying to jump back into professional sports?" Iger joining the Carson project is "creating speculation" that Disney "might want back into the game." Sources said that Iger's involvement in the project "is in his personal capacity and doesn't involve Disney." Because Disney owns ESPN, it is "possible the all-sports channel would develop new content with the NFL teams." Disney "could also reach out to football fans with package deals to visit Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park." Disney's history with professional sports "has not been stellar" after taking control of the Ducks and Angels, respectively. Industry analysts said that it is "unlikely that Disney will take a major role in the stadium project or the NFL teams." Disney expert Robert Niles said, "I'm not hearing that there is a great appetite to get into sports at Disney" (L.A. TIMES, 11/12).
