The Dodgers said Tuesday they have formed an alliance with
Catellus Development Corp. to study the feasibility of acquiring
an NFL expansion franchise and building a new stadium. The NFL
Stadium Committee recently issued a report identifying four
possible locations in the area for a new stadium. The only
location within the city of L.A. was the Dodgers' Chavez Ravine
property. Dodgers President Peter O'Malley said the decision to
undertake this analysis was based in part on the NFL's findings.
The study, expected to be completed within six months, will
analyze the potential impact of a new stadium on the surrounding
community as well as traffic and parking concerns. The study
will also look at financial viability. O'Malley: "While we are
very interested in acquiring an NFL franchise and in building a
new stadium on our property, we will not commit to such a project
if it is not economically sound" (AP/Minneapolis STAR-TRIBUNE,
1/24). A survey of financial experts, officials and various
economic reports found that the direct annual impact of a
football team in L.A. would be about $32M, according to the L.A.
TIMES. Mary Ann Hudson writes that most of the $32M is accounted
for from team salaries expected to stay in the county ($13M),
spending by visitors from outside the county ($8M), and spending
by county residents who buy season or day-of-game tickets with
money usually spent elsewhere ($5M) (L.A. TIMES, 1/24).
