NFL, Coliseum reach preliminary agreement on return to LA

[BizzyR.I.P.]

By JOHN NADEL, AP Sports Writer
November 10, 2005


AP - Nov 10, 4:29 pm EST
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LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The NFL and city officials have reached a preliminary agreement on terms to bring a team back to the Los Angeles Coliseum.

Commissioner Paul Tagliabue made the announcement Thursday on the steps of City Hall. But he didn't identify a potential tenant or speculate when Los Angeles might get the team.

He also spoke positively about a team playing at a facility proposed for the Angel Stadium parking lot in Anaheim and didn't rule out the Rose Bowl in Pasadena as a possible home field, either.

As Tagliabue entered a limousine, he was asked if he could assess the significance of what he had just announced. He replied, ``I'd rather not try.''

The commissioner did say: ``It's the first time we've had agreement on term sheets. We're one step closer, two or three steps closer. Whether it's 2009, 2010, or 2000-whatever, our goal is to have definitive agreements on all subject matters well before our league meetings in March.''

The Los Angeles area, the second-largest television market in the country, has been without an NFL team since the Raiders moved from the Coliseum back to Oakland and the Rams moved from Anaheim to St. Louis before the 1995 season.

After announcing plans in the spring of 1999 to put an expansion team in the Coliseum, the NFL was unable to reach an agreement with the Los Angeles backers and instead awarded the 32nd franchise to Houston that October.

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Houston businessman Bob McNair and his backers offered to pay $700 million for the new franchise and spend another $310 million on a stadium, making it the NFL's first billion-dollar deal. The Texans began play in 2002.

Tagliabue said significant progress has been made in the past year regarding the Coliseum. His statement came following a meeting with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and before a session with Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle.

``I think the critical thing now is we're at the point where it's recognized, certainly by us, that the time is right,'' Tagliabue said. ``We have to get agreements finalized. We'll be pursuing agreements in Anaheim. We're going to work with both communities for an agreement.''

He said there have been no in-depth discussions on whether the region would get an expansion or existing team.

Tagliabue said last month that future expansion was unlikely anywhere but Los Angeles.

He also said it was important to make sure Southern California, the nation's top-ranked college team, was comfortable with any agreement, since the Trojans have made the Coliseum their home since 1923.

Tagliabue planned on meeting with USC coach Pete Carroll later Thursday. The commissioner met with Gov. Arnold Schwarzennegger late Wednesday.

Tentative plans call for the NFL to finance construction of a $500 million stadium inside the Coliseum, home to the Rams from 1946-79 and the Raiders from 1982-94.

City Councilman Bernard Parks said after listening to Tagliabue that he believes the Coliseum will eventually get an existing team rather than an expansion team.

``The NFL is going to have a say on who's going to come here. The Coliseum has no role in selecting a team,'' Parks said.

Asked when it might happen, Parks replied: ``I don't know. Nobody's signed anything. They've got to say they're coming.''

That being said, Parks expressed optimism.

``In my judgment, I don't believe these business people waste their time and money,'' he said. ``They've spent a lot of time and money.''

While Tagliabue didn't rule out the Rose Bowl, the Pasadena City Council voted 5-2 with one abstention last June to pursue a plan for the stadium that doesn't involve the NFL. Carson dropped out of contention in May when city officials decided to build a mall on its proposed site.

[BizzyR.I.P.]

Fuckers better not put it in Anaheim When will these retards realize Anaheim is not actually LA. That'd be a bigger disgrace than The Angels having LA in their name

[WestCoasta]

Fuckers better not put it in Anaheim When will these retards realize Anaheim is not actually LA. That'd be a bigger disgrace than The Angels having LA in their name

[Teddy Roosevelt]

Fuckers better not put it in Anaheim When will these retards realize Anaheim is not actually LA. That'd be a bigger disgrace than The Angels having LA in their name

I'd hate if it ended up in Anaheim. Really I wouldn't like it if it were anywhere but in downtown L.A. but ESPICALLY Anaheim.

[Perfection]

Why shouldn't the team be put in Anaheim? LA hasn't exactly had success in the past when it comes to an NFL team. Chargers moved from LA to San Diego, Rams moved from LA to St. Louis & the Raiders have moved out of LA a couple of times. Plus the NFL gave LA every opportunity for LA to get an expandsion team over Houston, but obviously failed. So why not put the team in Anaheim cause LA's track record when it comes to the NFL isn't exactly great

[Doggystylin]

To be honest I don't really give a shit, I'm too happy with our college football teams to care about the NFL

[BizzyR.I.P.]

Why shouldn't the team be put in Anaheim? LA hasn't exactly had success in the past when it comes to an NFL team. Chargers moved from LA to San Diego, Rams moved from LA to St. Louis & the Raiders have moved out of LA a couple of times. Plus the NFL gave LA every opportunity for LA to get an expandsion team over Houston, but obviously failed. So why not put the team in Anaheim cause LA's track record when it comes to the NFL isn't exactly great

Because they say they want a team in LA, last time I checked Anaheim wasn't LA. And just so you know, Anaheim failed in the NFL also, after the 79' season the Rams moved to Anaheim and were NOT really the LA Rams. So the Rams actually left Anaheim not LA.

[BizzyR.I.P.]

Why shouldn't the team be put in Anaheim? LA hasn't exactly had success in the past when it comes to an NFL team. Chargers moved from LA to San Diego, Rams moved from LA to St. Louis & the Raiders have moved out of LA a couple of times. Plus the NFL gave LA every opportunity for LA to get an expandsion team over Houston, but obviously failed. So why not put the team in Anaheim cause LA's track record when it comes to the NFL isn't exactly great

also the Raiders left LA only once and didn't the Chargers leave after only one season.

[ecrazy]

Does it really Matter that the team is in LA or Anaheim? i mean, SOUTHERN CALI goes to football games, last time i went to any sporting event, it was not exclusivly "LA PEOPLE ONLY!".....City Councilman Bernard Parks Even said that he doesnt think that LA is going to get any team but a team from somewhere else.
I just Want Pro FootBall In Southern Cali (LA AREA)