News of the Arroyo
Title: | Rose Bowl officials await word from NFL |
Subtitle: | |
Date: | 2003-06-01 |
Summary: | June 1, 2003 - The word on NFL prospects for the Rose Bowl could come as early as Monday Night. Look for an extended closed session at the City Council meeting if there are any new developments. |
Author: | Staff writers |
Publication: | Pasadena Star News |
Content: | PASADENA -- Rose Bowl officials say they expect to have a response from the NFL by Monday on their proposed $500 million renovation project for the 80-year-old stadium, and it could be presented to City Council members at their meeting Monday night. The Rose Bowl proposal, presented to NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue at the recent owners\' meetings in Philadelphia, asked the NFL to pay for the renovation and for a team to lease the stadium. The team would then be in control of stadium revenue. Investment banker John Moag, who is spearheading the Rose Bowl\'s bid to land a NFL team, expressed disappointment last week at the league\'s recent involvement with the city of Carson, where the league is also considering building its own stadium. But he says he has had several talks with league officials this week and is nevertheless moving forward. \"We\'re in discussions with them about where we go from here,\" said Moag, who declined to elaborate. \"We\'re talking with them and we could quite possibly meet next week.\" The Pasadena City Council is scheduled to address the Rose Bowl-NFL situation in a closed session at its meeting Monday night, and an oral update will later be presented to the public. \"If it\'s a substantive response, there will probably be the need to go to closed session and discuss it,\" said Bill Thomson, vice chairman of the Rose Bowl Operating Company. While some officials expressed concern that the NFL\'s pursuit of Carson may have crippled the political will of Pasadena officials, Thomson said his group is ready to continue its pursuit. \"In Pasadena, we\'re realistic,\" Thomson said. \"We have economic and physical issues relating to the Rose Bowl that caused us to start down that road. We\'ll evaluate whatever reply we receive from the NFL, and then see if it\'s possible to work with the league to address our needs and for them to be able to bring pro football back to Southern California.\" |
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