THE INSIDE TRACK : It’s Not Asking a Lot to Pay to Park the NFL in L.A.

In the interest of full disclosure, I admit that I am biased both culturally and professionally toward bringing an NFL team to Los Angeles.

I was raised in an area of the country where the NFL was third only to the Baptist church and the National Rifle Assn. (If you can’t save ‘em, shoot ‘em.) And I became a sportswriter. Did you turn to the sports section expecting to see objections to having the NFL here?

The issue of how to pay for it is more complex.

On one hand, L.A. City Councilman Joel “No Tax” Wachs is a good guy to have looking out for our wallets. A couple of centuries ago, he would have been first in line to start flinging tea into Boston Harbor.

On the other hand, his mantra--”No public money for billionaire sports owners”--is simplistic.

I agree with him in principle. But if some public money is necessary to assist the prospective owner in clearing a hurdle and can also benefit the city, then it should at least be considered.

That is what the L.A. City Council, over the objections of Wachs and others, agreed to do Tuesday. The city will consider a plan that uses tax revenue generated by the NFL team to provide additional parking at Exposition Park.

Wachs’ point is that tax revenues are better spent on schools, police and other public services. It’s difficult to argue with that except that, in this case, these tax revenues won’t exist without the NFL team.

This is the fairest tax possible, a user tax. If you’re a communist or someone who never goes to NFL games, you won’t be out one ruble. You contribute only if you go to the games.

What do you get in return?

The Coliseum, a historic treasure, would not be in danger of becoming the Colosseum. Not only would it provide a virtually new home for USC football and the NFL team, the only stadium used for the opening ceremony of two modern Olympic Games could be considered for a third sometime in the next century if renovated.

The Coliseum neighborhood might be recognized for something other than the time Roger Staubach was mugged there. NFL owners still refer to that incident, but Staubach retired 20 years ago. The neighborhood’s comeback would be solidified with the New Coliseum.

All we have to do is pay for parking. It’s our way of telling the NFL, “We validate.”

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With no team in Los Angeles or Anaheim, the NFL in this column will be referred to as the ANFL--Almost National Football League.

And the winners are:

NFC West: San Francisco.

Why? Because I always pick the 49ers, and, more often than not, you will be right in this division if you do too.

Why not Atlanta? The clock struck midnight when Eugene Robinson was arrested for soliciting a prostitute. Ever since, the Falcons have been the same ne’er-do-wells they were before. The closest they will come to the Super Bowl this season is that they play their home games in the stadium where it will be held.

NFC Central: Minnesota.

Why? The Vikings are still the conference’s best team and this season will prove it, starting Sunday when they avenge their bewildering loss in the NFC championship game with a victory over the Falcons.

Why not Green Bay? Brett Favre lost Cameron Diaz to Ben Stiller, the NFC Central title to the Vikings and now Mike Holmgren to Seattle. The losing streak continues. Detroit? The Lions couldn’t win with Barry Sanders. Chicago? Cade McNown is a project.

NFC East: Dallas.

Why? Because I always pick the Cowboys and, more often than not in this division. . . .

Why not Arizona? Jake Plummer can’t be the quarterback and general manager. Washington? People there handle changes in the Oval Office with more calm than they do in Redskin ownership.

AFC West: Denver

Why? By default.

Why not Seattle? Not even Holmgren can win with Jon Kitna at quarterback and without Joey Galloway at wide receiver. San Diego? June Jones left the continent and took over the worst team in college football to escape the Chargers. Oakland? Jeff George, Larry Brown and Desmond Howard left. But Al Davis didn’t.

AFC Central: Jacksonville.

Why? By default.

Why not Pittsburgh? Experts who contend Kordell Stewart will improve under offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride don’t know Gilbride the way we do. Tennessee? Titans in name only.

AFC East: New York.

Why? The Jets want Bill Parcells to remember his last season in coaching as one of his best.

Why not Miami? The Dolphins don’t care if Jimmy Johnson remembers his last season in coaching as one of his best.

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