No Gain for L.A. at NFL Meetings

This just in. In regards to the prospect of football returning to Los Angeles following a night of NFL meetings here, nothing happened.

Further testimony is provided. After Bill Chadwick, the governor’s appointee, presented Los Angeles’ case for football to the NFL’s expansion committee, owners were asked for their comments.

“Not tonight,” said Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, “I’m going to have a drink.”

Bob Tisch, owner of the New York Giants said he would be glad to talk, “but not about football.”

Jerry Richardson, chairman of the committee and owner of the Carolina Panthers, escaped via the hotel’s back door. It was dark out there too.

NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue talked, but no one seemed to listen.

That left it to Tennessee Titans’ owner Bud Adams, who revealed to a crowd of reporters that Chadwick “represents the mayor” of Los Angeles. “That’s all I’m going to say,” he said.

The governor, the mayor, whatever, he had stayed awake longer than anyone would have predicted.

Yes, all in all a good start to two days of NFL meetings.

“I’m not sure I accomplished anything,” said Chadwick, as if he were someone different.

Denver Broncos’ owner Pat Bowlen, however, said Chadwick deserves credit for keeping this football debate alive, certifying Chadwick as either hero or goat depending on your point of view.

“L.A.’s position was DOA six weeks ago,” Bowlen said. “It’s now breathing. There’s a slim chance of making it happen now.”

The NFL provides no bigger endorsements.

What next?

“I’m not at liberty to discuss it,” Bowlen said.

No such restrictions here. The NFL is considering a plan that would give Michael Ovitz and Ron Burkle exclusive negotiating rights to improve and consummate the deal that Chadwick has been working on for the past six weeks.

For those paying attention that would eliminate Eli Broad, an NFL irritant because he wants to drive a hard bargain in bringing a professional team to Los Angeles. There is no one more despised in NFL circles than someone unwilling to pay whatever it takes to have a football team. OK, so maybe Al Davis, but no one else.

Chadwick’s financial proposal has not won approval from Broad, Ovitz and Roski, who if selected as owner of the expansion team, will be forced to pay considerable money to the state, such as $5 million in rent as opposed to the $80,000 in rent now collected from the use of the Coliseum.

It’s the NFL’s contention that a single group might be more motivated to insist on a more favorable lease from the state as drawn up by Chadwick.

“The people of Southern California are pretty special and we have alternatives,” Chadwick said in defense of his term sheet designed to enrich the state’s coffers. “I’ve asked for a lot; the Coliseum is a valuable state asset. It’s not something to give away and I’m not inclined to give it away.”

Broad, Ovitz, and Ed Roski, who has become chummier with Ovitz in recent weeks, were invited to the NFL meetings along with Los Angeles Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, but then kept waiting in the halls never to get the call inside. Billionaires treated the same way as the media, although one could still distinguish the difference between the two.

Secret meetings were to take place later in the night to carve a new strategy for Los Angeles. There would have been no reason for Broad, however, to sit by his phone waiting for an invite.

This is Chadwick’s show for another day with a presentation to all the NFL owners. Broad, Ovitz and Roski are expected to show up too. But then it will be time to generate momentum in preparation for a meaningless Sept. 15 deadline--since owners don’t meet again until Sept. 22.

There are some in NFL circles who think that can play to Ovitz’s strength, but would LA politicians work smoothly with Ovitz without Broad’s blessings? Would Chadwick be any more successful in winning the argument for state funds with Ovitz standing at his elbow?

“Chadwick has accomplished a lot in six weeks,” Bowlen said. “Where it goes now is the question mark. I don’t have any idea where we go from here. That’s what is being discussed.”

An NFL official said it was unlikely at this time that Ovitz would be singled out as L.A.’s savior, but he would not rule it out of the realm of possibilities when Tagliabue makes his pronouncements at the close of today’s meeting.

* BYE-BYE BARRY? Barry Sanders, apparently fed up, will retire today, one of his agents told ESPN. Page 6