Post by Shaun on May 3, 2006 17:00:41 GMT
GRAPEVINE, Texas (May 2, 2006) -- California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger doesn't want one NFL team in Los Angeles. He wants two.
The California governor will probably have to satisfied with half of his wish -- at least in the near future.
Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and a committee of 11 owners heard presentations from officials representing Los Angeles, Anaheim and Pasadena, three cities that want a club. The area has been without an NFL franchise for more than a decade.
Schwarzenegger went first. After meeting with the owners, the actor-turned-politician emerged to say he was there to make sure "we're getting not only one NFL team to the Los Angeles area, Southern California, but to actually get two teams. That's why I came. Why limit it?"
New York Giants chairman Steve Tisch, a long-time Los Angeles resident who is on the committee, said that was highly unlikely.
"I'd be shocked if the suggestion internally to recommend two teams ever comes up. I think the numbers are too big. I think it would be an overwhelming suggestion," Tisch said.
Added Tagliabue: "One team is our immediate goal. Long term, I think two is a realistic goal."
The 11 owners spent six hours listening to California politicians and deemed it a significant step in getting the NFL back to nation's second-largest television market. Tagliabue has made that a priority since both the Rams and Raiders left after the 1994 season.
"The fact that we're here and doing what we're doing is better than anything I could say," Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "This is the strongest effort I've seen on the league's part."
Los Angeles plans to construct a stadium within the shell of the existing Los Angeles Coliseum. Anaheim is offering a 53-acre tract of land for the stadium and economic development. Pasadena, considered a longshot, provided an update on the Rose Bowl.
"Everybody came away feeling it was some of the best time they've spent on NFL business in recent months," Tagliabue said. "For our owners to get this type of firsthand dialogue and a firsthand opportunity to speak to the political leadership of these communities, and the governor, gives us a lot (of information) to digest."
The owners' committee, which includes Dan Rooney of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Bob Kraft of the New England Patriots, didn't have an opportunity after the presentations to talk alone as a group. They planned a conference call next week.
The California governor will probably have to satisfied with half of his wish -- at least in the near future.
Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and a committee of 11 owners heard presentations from officials representing Los Angeles, Anaheim and Pasadena, three cities that want a club. The area has been without an NFL franchise for more than a decade.
Schwarzenegger went first. After meeting with the owners, the actor-turned-politician emerged to say he was there to make sure "we're getting not only one NFL team to the Los Angeles area, Southern California, but to actually get two teams. That's why I came. Why limit it?"
New York Giants chairman Steve Tisch, a long-time Los Angeles resident who is on the committee, said that was highly unlikely.
"I'd be shocked if the suggestion internally to recommend two teams ever comes up. I think the numbers are too big. I think it would be an overwhelming suggestion," Tisch said.
Added Tagliabue: "One team is our immediate goal. Long term, I think two is a realistic goal."
The 11 owners spent six hours listening to California politicians and deemed it a significant step in getting the NFL back to nation's second-largest television market. Tagliabue has made that a priority since both the Rams and Raiders left after the 1994 season.
"The fact that we're here and doing what we're doing is better than anything I could say," Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "This is the strongest effort I've seen on the league's part."
Los Angeles plans to construct a stadium within the shell of the existing Los Angeles Coliseum. Anaheim is offering a 53-acre tract of land for the stadium and economic development. Pasadena, considered a longshot, provided an update on the Rose Bowl.
"Everybody came away feeling it was some of the best time they've spent on NFL business in recent months," Tagliabue said. "For our owners to get this type of firsthand dialogue and a firsthand opportunity to speak to the political leadership of these communities, and the governor, gives us a lot (of information) to digest."
The owners' committee, which includes Dan Rooney of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Bob Kraft of the New England Patriots, didn't have an opportunity after the presentations to talk alone as a group. They planned a conference call next week.