Anaheim Sets Basis for Talks With NFL

The Anaheim City Council on Tuesday approved the framework for stadium talks with the NFL.

Among the negotiating criteria: The stadium must financially benefit the city, be a “state-of-the-art showcase” that complements the area, and effectively manage traffic and event parking. The deal must also respect existing lease and legal agreements, including one with the Anaheim Angels.

“This is the criteria the council wants to use to move forward,” city spokesman John Nicoletti said. “In any final negotiations, obviously there will be many different points and they will consider all of those points as long as they fit into this criteria.”

Anaheim is one of four Southern California locations the NFL is considering in its effort to bring professional football back to the nation’s second-largest media market.

The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, a landfill in Carson and the Los Angeles Coliseum are also in contention.

After months of searching for a site, the NFL confirmed three weeks ago that it was considering Anaheim as a late addition to the mix, a sign, some experts said, that the league was not happy with progress on the other locations.

The city is also asking that the stadium reinforce the area’s image as a top retail, entertainment and residential destination.

Plans are underway to develop an 807-acre site surrounding Angel Stadium, Arrowhead Pond and a potential stadium. The council recently approved 9,000 homes and 7 million square feet of offices and stores for the area.

NFL officials have said they hoped to select a site by May and see a new or relocated team begin play in 2008.