Bid to Bring NFL to Coliseum

I found Eli Broad’s passionate defense of spending public money to bring NFL football to Los Angeles (Commentary, June 30) more of the same nonsense which the Staples Center promoters used to attempt to pick the public’s pocket.

His major premise is that the tax dollars diverted to the owners’ and the NFL’s pockets will be balanced by additional tax revenues generated from ticket sales, salaries and increases in general business. To the extent that such taxes are raised, they often result from a shift in spending which would have generated the same revenue. How much tax revenue was lost when the Rams moved to St. Louis or the Raiders back to Oakland? He also points out that we have already invested $111 million in refurbishments to the Coliseum. Isn’t this enough?

The coup de gras is that professional football will “invigorate” the USC area and that Los Angeles cannot be a “world-class” city unless the NFL gives us its blessing. Please! The notion that a city cannot be “world class” unless it has 22 professional football players cavorting on the field 12 times a year is laughable.

Broad’s column was particularly interesting given the article in the June 27 Sports section regarding Staples Center, which will have amenities that are available only for the very wealthy. Is this what we will be spending public money for? Perhaps, like Ed Roski, Broad will attempt to console the public by permitting them to see tractor pulls in the publicly financed parking lots.

TOM LARMORE

Santa Monica

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As a property owner in Los Angeles, I say let us read carefully. I find in the second paragraph the very disturbing statement, “at no net cost to taxpayers.” A thorough analysis of the costs and revenues is in order and not to be rushed.

CLOTILDE C. ODEGAARD

Alhambra

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Not one penny of city, county or state money; neither will we accept disruption of the existing cultural activities at Exposition Park. Broad’s comparison of an NFL team to another employer is muddled. A corporate distribution center may operate in Bakersfield, Colorado Springs, Toledo or L.A.; the NFL expansion team needs L.A.! The NFL needs no additional monetary incentive other than regular business profit to locate in L.A.

PAUL C. CONSTANTINE

Los Angeles