Will L.A. Now Stick Its Nose Into 49er Deal?

OK, let’s see . . . who out there needs an NFL team?

Oh, of course.

So how does this sound: the L.A. 49ers.

Carmen Policy, San Francisco 49er president, met recently with the San Francisco Chronicle’s editorial board and said the football team’s future in the city would be jeopardized if voters turn down funding for a new stadium.

The 49ers hope for June 3 voter approval of a $535-million stadium/entertainment complex proposal. A key element in the deal is a $100-million lease and revenue bond issue.

*

Policy: “If we don’t have a place to play in San Francisco, what can we do? Candlestick Park is not suitable for NFL play after 2006 [when the club’s lease there expires].”

“If this deal doesn’t work, I can’t imagine any owner being able to keep an NFL team in San Francisco,” Policy said.

*

Trivia time: What do Burt Reynolds, the Three Stooges, the Marx Brothers and Tony Curtis have in common?

*

Ale wail: In its “winners and losers” column, Total Sport magazine of England recently gave a thumbs down to the Manchester United soccer team:

“What beggars belief is the cretinous decision to launch their own brand of lager, Red Tribe, sold in ‘match packs’ of 12 which weds the . . . club to alcohol and all attendant hooligan problems.”

Responded the club’s marketing man: “We recommend consumption in moderation.”

Responded the magazine: “That’s like Jaguar saying: ‘Please drive our cars at 30 mph.’ ”

*

Growing young: Former St. Louis Blues center Peter Zezel admits he’s glad Mike Keenan was fired as coach.

“I’ve played 14 years, six of them with Mike,” Zezel said before being traded to New Jersey. “That aged me 10 years.”

*

Worm doll: Dennis Rodman, known as much for his outrageous behavior as his athletic skills, is the subject of a children’s doll.

Target, one of several merchandisers carrying the five-time NBA rebounding champion’s foot-high doll, says sales have been “steady.”

The doll, which sells for $14.99, comes with a miniature basketball and two outfits: a white basketball uniform similar to the Bulls’, and a silver metallic vest with matching boots and denim shorts. The dolls also come with two heads, one with lime-green hair and sunglasses and other with pink hair and no shades.

And no, when you wind it up, it won’t seek out a cameraman to kick.

Scout’s honor? Maybe there should be a minor league for those who evaluate potential NBA talent.

A Continental Basketball Assn. publication, CBA News, recently pointed out that nine former first-round NBA draft picks were playing in the CBA, along with 25 second-round picks.

*

Trivia answer: All portrayed football players in films.

*

And finally: One-time Denver Bronco coach John Ralston, explaining why he was fired in 1976:

“Illness and fatigue. The fans were sick and tired of me.”