L.A. Benched / Week 17 : This Guy Hopes to Be a Heavy Hitter Very Soon

Fred Lyte, the driving force behind the attempt to bring the Raiders to Irwindale, is heading up a group that has offered to purchase the Arizona Cardinals and move the franchise to Los Angeles in time to play in the Coliseum for the 1996 season.

There is no reason, however, to rush the Coliseum ticket office.

“Our first offer was rejected immediately, but we came back with a real nice offer and have yet to hear back from the Cardinals,” Lyte said. “We had indications earlier from [Cardinal owner] Bill Bidwill that his franchise might be available or we wouldn’t be doing this. We came to play; our offer is real and we’re talking considerable money.”

Lyte declined to detail his group’s offer and declined to identify his primary investors. However, sources said Lyte’s sweetened offer to the Cardinals places a $200 million value on the franchise and allows Bidwill to maintain 10% ownership. It is also understood that the Crown family, which has a 40% interest in the Chicago Bulls, is involved in Lyte’s offer.

Bidwill, who has pressed unsuccessfully for a new stadium in Arizona, could not be reached for comment.

Lyte, who was dismissed as Irwindale city redevelopment consultant because of political infighting over the proposed Raider move, said he’s not concerned about the Cardinals poor reputation or the concerns the NFL has with the Coliseum.

“It’s one of the least desirable teams in the whole NFL, but we think we can improve it,” Lyte said. “And we have taken a look at the Coliseum and the changes they have talked about it and think it could work out very well.”