Coliseum Gets New Players for Its Team

The new Coliseum partners, looking to generate more oomph into their effort to stay ahead of Hollywood Park in the race for the NFL’s favors, have solicited the support of Fred Rosen, president and chief executive of Ticketmaster, and Alan Rothenberg, president of the U.S. Soccer Federation.

Rosen said he and Rothenberg will become minority owners in the new Coliseum project, which has been driven until now by King owners Edward Roski and Philip Anschutz.

Details and the financial level of commitment by Rosen and Rothenberg have yet to be agreed upon. For that matter, beyond oral assurances that they will help supplement the $500 million in funds needed to build a new stadium and secure an NFL expansion franchise, Roski and Anschutz have no financial risk yet in promoting the new Coliseum.

The Kings’ owners, along with Rothenberg, were not available to discuss the change in their ownership plans Thursday.

“With the new arena going in downtown and with the importance of the Coliseum in terms of historical perspective and community, it becomes important for those who can help to move forward,” Rosen said.

Rosen, appointed head of Mayor Richard Riordan’s Football L.A. task force in August 1995, which never met as a full organization, has taken a lower profile in recent months while waiting for the NFL to plot its course.

Hollywood Park’s announcement recently that it had hired John McKay, a local attorney (and son of John McKay, former USC football coach), as its point man in securing ownership interest and making contact with NFL owners prompted Los Angeles Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas to push for Rosen’s involvement, and the credibility his name brings nationally to the new Coliseum project.

Despite having never spoken with Anschutz, the Denver billionaire who is expected to make the most significant financial contribution in the return of football, Rosen said he has no doubts about signing on.

“I’ve talked to Ed Roski, and other people had indicated to me that Mr. Anschutz was committed to building the arena, and all the things that were represented to me during that process on his behalf, came to pass. Those people have given me the same assurances about football.

“The new Coliseum can clearly be a home that an NFL team will feel proud to play in, and it will have the ability to provide the income streams necessary in order to compete in the next century.”