Anaheim to Weigh NFL Deal Terms

With the NFL expected to whittle the list of possible Southland sites in two weeks, the Anaheim City Council today will consider how to structure a deal with the league.

Although the council agenda mentions discussion of “price and terms of payment” for property, City Manager Dave Morgan said Anaheim is not considering selling land to the NFL. The council is requiring that Anaheim do no worse than break even on a deal, so the city could provide the land to the NFL and recoup the value in lease payments or by sharing revenue generated by the stadium.

The stadium is proposed for the Angel Stadium parking lot, with the possibility of surrounding restaurants, shops and an “NFL Experience” attraction. The Angels’ lease guarantees the team 12,500 parking spaces and limits the height of a potential garage to four stories. City officials say they can satisfy that requirement and accommodate the development without concessions from the Angels.

The city is suing the Angels, charging that their use of a Los Angeles name violates the lease. In negotiations with the NFL, the city has not discussed restriction on the name of an Anaheim football team, city spokesman John Nicoletti said.

In addition to Anaheim, the NFL is considering the Coliseum, the Rose Bowl and a site in Carson. The league is likely to drop at least one site from consideration at its March 20-23 meetings in Hawaii.

-- Bill Shaikin