Coliseum Tenants Balk at Proposal on Seating Plan

Mayor Tom Bradley has been informed by the principal tenants of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Los Angeles Raiders professional football team and USC, that some terms of a letter of intent he helped work out to help clear the way for a $9-million Coliseum seating reconfiguration this year must be “clarified,” it was learned Friday.

In identical letters to Bradley, the Raiders and USC on Friday requested changes in the letter of intent signed Wednesday night by Coliseum Commission President Alexander Haagen and two other commissioners.

Bradley’s press secretary, Ali Webb, indicated that the mayor would be willing to consider some changes. Webb said the mayor considers the letter of intent “only a working step.” She said that Bradley, who has been acting as a mediator of the issue between Coliseum commissioners and the tenants, will continue to decline to make public comment on the Coliseum matter “until it’s signed, served and done.”

One participant in the continuing discussions, who declined to be identified, said that the Raiders and USC are resisting provisions in the letter of intent relating to repayment of the loan necessary to do the reconfiguration work.

Since a new loan would have to include $4 million needed to pay off currently outstanding bonds, the Raiders and USC reportedly want to ensure that they will incur no obligations relating to repayment of that part of the loan.

And, the participant said, there are a number of proposed changes designed to limit the Raiders’ and USC’s liability for picking up any cost overruns on the seating reconfiguration. The project involves construction of retractable seats that will overlay the Olympic track and lower levels of the stadium to bring football fans closer to the action.