Coliseum to Solicit Teams’ Proposals

There has been talk recently that the Arizona Cardinals or the Oakland Raiders might be interested in calling Los Angeles home, but rather than call for the construction of roadblocks, the Los Angeles Coliseum Commission decided Wednesday to fling open the gates.

The commission announced it will solicit letters of interest from brokers or parties capable of bringing a sports franchise to the Coliseum. The commission, which is open to football and soccer proposals, said it would expect to begin reviewing submissions in early May.

The commission, contending its efforts to land an NFL expansion franchise were compromised because of competition between Ed Roski and Michael Ovitz, would like to present a united front in future negotiations. A developer such as Roski, who put together the Staples Center deal, might very well emerge as the Coliseum Commission’s anointed deal-maker.

It’s the commission’s hope that work on a new financial package for a prospective owner, which is expected to garner state support, will enhance competition for commission review.

“We learned a lot from the NFL expansion process, and the last time around everyone seemed to be doing their own thing,” said Pat Lynch, Coliseum general manager. “I think there’s an air of cooperation now.”

NFL officials probably will be delighted by the Coliseum proposal, but will undoubtedly offer little support publicly because their stated mission is to limit franchise movement. But the Coliseum’s move to put together an appealing financial package will provide leverage for teams seeking better deals from their current city leadership with the threat of moving to Los Angeles.