Roski’s Trip Should Not Trip Up L.A.’s NFL Effort

When NFL executives visited Los Angeles on Thursday to confer with prospective franchise owners on the progress of financing plans, where was Ed Roski--with his Sherpa in the Himalayas?

Not this week.

He was in New Guinea with an expedition seeking the source of the Sepik River.

Roski, who when not developing land is exploring it, has bicycled across Mongolia, lived with a native tribe in the Brazilian jungle and climbed Kilimanjaro. He also has been the driving force behind bringing an expansion football team to the Coliseum.

But his associates say that he was not missed Thursday, having temporarily turned the NFL adventure over to his partner, Eli Broad. They said Roski will return in time for a more crucial meeting with NFL owners May 25.

According to the New American Desk Encyclopedia, more than 70 species of snakes can be found in New Guinea. That should prepare Roski well.

*

It’s not in writing yet, but promoter Bob Arum said that it will be by Monday. . . .

He was referring to a $10-million offer to Felix Trinidad to fight Oscar De La Hoya in Las Vegas Sept. 18. . . .

That’s $8 million more than Trinidad has ever earned for a fight. . . .

“Yeah, we’re overpaying,” Arum said. “But this is the fight everyone says they want to see.” . . .

It’s also the fight that Arum’s co-promoter, De La Hoya, wants to fight. . . .

Arum is the latest to call out World Boxing Organization featherweight champion Prince Naseem Hamed. . . .

Arum dares Hamed to agree to a bout against Erik Morales, who fights Saturday night in Vegas. . . .

“Any time that little fraud wants, Erik will fight him,” Arum said. . . .

The Westcoast Sports Associates are honoring Sugar Ray Leonard with the Roy Firestone Award on May 26 at the L.A. Athletic Club for his work with the anti-drug, anti-violence program, D.A.R.E. . . .

D.A.R.E. is sponsoring a carnival Monday at Parkman Middle School in Woodland Hills to celebrate the school’s commitment to the program. . . .

Besides Leonard, athletes scheduled to work in booths include Evander Holyfield, Nadia Comaneci, Bart Conner, Mitch Gaylord, Kerri Strug and Bruce Jenner. . . .

Leonard promises to take his turn in the dunk tank. . . .

It’s official: Debbie Caplan has replaced Pat Goossen as Mia St. John’s manager. . . .

Cobi Jones has one goal in the Galaxy’s first seven games. He had five at this point last season. . . .

His slump is probably related to a position change from the wing to forward, which should be corrected when Carlos Hermosillo returns from Mexico this month. . . .

It has nothing to do, he said, with his disappointment over the MLS’ refusal to allow him to explore opportunities to play in Germany’s Bundesliga. . . .

“There’s obviously some frustration,” he said. “But I’m a realist. I’m playing here now, and that’s where my focus is going to be.” . . .

But if he has the same opportunities when his MLS contract expires after next season? AufWiedersehen, baby. . . .

The Sparks’ No. 1 draft choice, DeLisha Milton, has followed Ricky Williams’ lead and signed Master P as her agent. . . .

New Jersey Devil Coach Robbie Ftorek took a nap before Game 7 of the first-round series against Pittsburgh, overslept and missed the team bus. . . .

That doesn’t sound like the hyper-intense Ftorek who used to coach the Kings. . . .

Out of the running to repeat as the Norris Trophy winner, Rob Blake has to settle for being Canada’s captain in the World Championships. . . .

R.D. Hubbard is turning over Hollywood Park to Churchill Downs, but, fortunately, he’s not leaving horse racing. . . .

He recently joined the Thoroughbred Corp. in purchasing a 2-year-old colt for $2 million and another partner in purchasing a Seattle Slew filly for $700,000. . . .

If the Patriots call to inquire about Jamal Anderson, are the Falcons supposed to hang up without hearing the offer? . . .

“I’m not mad at the Falcons for either considering the trade or listening to offers,” Anderson said on his Web site. “I learned a long time ago that no player in untouchable.” . . .

Broad is meeting with a representative of John Elway next week to determine whether the former quarterback is interested in joining New Coliseum Partners. . . .

Roski’s worst nightmare: He will arrive at the source of the Sepik River only to discover a rock with the words, “Michael Ovitz was here.”

*

While wondering when we will see Twin Spires over Hollywood Park, I was thinking: So that’s Glen Rice, UCLA needs Baron Davis for one more season and vice versa, maybe Carlos Perez was out driving with brother Pascual.

Randy Harvey can be reached at his e-mail address: randy.harvey@latimes.com.