NFL to look at two LA-area sites for stadium

NFL to look at two LA-area sites for stadium
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AP Photos PXG102,104
By BARRY WILNER
AP Football Writer
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- NFL owners would like to have a team in Los Angeles as soon as possible. And they're putting some financial clout into their quest.
The league is so eager to get back into the nation's No. 2 television market that it will spend up to $10 million looking into the viability of a stadium in Carson, Calif.
The NFL also is interested in a state-of-the-art stadium in Pasadena, site of the Rose Bowl. But the league has made no financial commitment to investigating any projects there.
"We're doing more than just talking about wanting to put a team back in there," Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney said Tuesday. "It's a commitment on our part, but there has to be a commitment from the other side."
The owners voted 30-1-1 to approve the option with GMS Realty to "investigate fan acceptance, site suitability and the overall financial viability of a public-private partnership to develop a world-class, state-of-the-art stadium, suitable to host Super Bowls, at the Carson site" 20 miles south of Los Angeles.
The Raiders, who claim they still own territorial rights to Los Angeles, which they left for Oakland after the 1994 season, voted against. The Indianapolis Colts abstained.
Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said 2006 was the earliest timetable for placing a team in LA, but it could stretch to 2007 or 2008. He also said it could be an expansion team as well as a relocated franchise -- and that more than one team could wind up in the area.
"Conceivably, this is a two-team market like New York and like Los Angeles was in the past," he said.
For now, most owners would settle for one, as long as it plays in a modern facility.
"I think there's some great momentum, both in Los Angeles and on the part of the NFL," Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said. "Sometimes, good things happen when it's a lot of effort being made on all parts."
John Moag, the Baltimore investment banker hired by the Rose Bowl Operating Co. to lead its bid, said he presented Pasadena's offer to Tagliabue in a morning meeting. Moag said the offer was passed unanimously by the Pasadena City Council late Monday night and he expects to hear Tagliabue's response later this week.
He doesn't buy Tagliabue's claim that the two cities are on equal footing.
"We've been at this for 10 months in Pasadena," Moag said. "We've completed an extensive design phase, we've been through numerous financial models, produced a comprehensive traffic and parking plan, and received unanimous support from the City Council.
"That's a lot different from having a piece of land that's a hazardous waste site in a community where you haven't even met the politicians yet."
But Tagliabue was adamant that Carson has no edge on Pasadena, and that any other bidders would be welcome as long as a state-of-the-art stadium was part of the plan.
"Both cities have been very forthcoming in their dealings with us," Tagliabue said. "We look forward to working in the months ahead with both of them to see what can be developed that makes sense to their communities and the NFL."
Carson previously expressed interest in building a stadium for an NFL team, and a 27,000-seat soccer stadium for the MLS' Los Angeles Galaxy opens next month.
The San Diego Chargers will hold their training camp in Carson this summer.
The Rose Bowl has hosted five Super Bowls, most recently 10 years ago, and is the home to UCLA's football team. It would need extensive upgrading or a total rebuilding to suit the NFL.
A proposal by the Patriots and Chiefs to expand the playoffs from 12 to 14 teams could be voted on Wednesday. But Tagliabue doubted it would reach a vote after the competition committee unanimously recommended it be dropped for this year.
"We really want it on the front agenda," New England owner Robert Kraft said. "I think it is the right thing and I hope it happens a year from now."
Four years from now, the Super Bowl almost certainly will be held in Miami. South Florida was "at the 97 percent or higher point of what has to be accomplished" for Pro Player Stadium to host the title game in February 2007, Tagliabue said.
"It's mostly a question of some details, but there doesn't seem to be any major principle that is an issue," he added.
Final approval should come at a special meeting Sept. 17.
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AP Sports Writer Beth Harris in Los Angeles contributed to this report.