FanHouse ColiseumCommission

Why did the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission reject USC's offer on Wednesday to conditionally accept an agreement to allow the Trojans to play in the Coliseum?

When we first heard of USC's "put up or shut up proposal," we thought it was brilliant, because to reject the plan would require that the Coliseum Commission admit that not even its members had faith in their ability to deliver on their promises to the University.

Many observers say that the Coliseum Commission is reluctant to hand over the keys to the building to the University.

"It's not only about money," Coliseum General Manager Pat Lynch told the LA Times. "It's about everything."

Does "everything" include a plan to bring the Minnesota Vikings to Los Angeles?

After considering last week's proposal by the Coliseum Commission to enter into a long-term lease with USC, have the public entity raise the funds for stadium improvements, and promise no NFL team would come to the venerable Los Angeles Stadium, USC responded Monday with a "Thanks, but..." counterproposal.

In a letter to Coliseum manager Pat Lynch, USC's lead negotiator Todd Dickey lays out a groundwork for compromise--enter into an agreement to let the Coliseum sell naming rights to the stadium, raise the money, and meet specific goals over ten years for improving the stadium. If the Coliseum Commission fails to make the deadlines, they'd be in breach of contract with the University and the deal would revert to the Master Lease that USC has wanted all along.

After being admonished last week by the Rose Bowl Operating Company to grow up and negotiate with the University of Southern California, the Coliseum Commission, which oversees the storied stadium where the Men of Troy play football came back with a counter-proposal of half-measures.

According to WeAreSC, the Coliseum Commission is offering a plan which would give USC a shorter-term contract to play at the Coliseum than the University is asking for, with no structural improvements to the Stadium. Their only real concession is to guarantee that no NFL team will be playing in the Coliseum. While they're at it, why not guarantee no NBA, Major League Baseball or Bundesliga team will play there, because those scenarios are just as likely to happen!

Although the Los Angeles Times is reporting that L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger are working to forge a deal, it seems apparent to observers of the negotiation that is Schwarzenegger wanted a deal to happen, he could use his leverage with his three commission appointees to vote with Villaraigosa's two voters and strike a deal. Hopefully the Mayor will get a chance to bend the action-hero Governor's ear and prompt the Governor to terminate these drawn-out talks!

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa came out before today's meeting of the Coliseum Commission to map a strategy for achieving peace between the stadium officials and their main tenant--the University of Southern California Football team.

In a letter to the Commission, Villaraogosa outlines a seven point strategy to keep the Trojans from inking a deal tomorrow with the Rose Bowl Operating Company.

Sounding unlike someone who went to college in Westwood, the Bruin Mayor says, "I believe that the future of the Los Angeles Coliseum is inconceivable without USC and I, therefore, urge the Coliseum Commission to immediately negotiate a long-term agreement with the University of Southern California."

While there will be plenty of conflict on the field of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum this Saturday, if the University of Southern California secures a two-year lease to play at the Rose Bowl stadium, it could lead to some real scheduling conflicts for the schools. Looking at the future schedules for USC and UCLA show three potential conflicts.

Luckily in 2008, the USC and UCLA schedules are somewhat compatible. Only one game falls on the same date for the two schools--on November 8, when USC hosts California and Oregon State visits the Bruins. The former game will likely be picked up by ABC, and the latter seems like a perfect fit for the Fox Sports' Pac Ten Game of the week--but even scheduling 3 hours between games, and assuming that UCLA will have its typical 30-40,000 fans showing up would not be enough time to accommodate the traffic in the Arroyo Seco.

The following year, the Trojans and Bruins would have scheduling conflicts on September 5th, with two competing stinkers against San Jose State and San Diego State and again on October 10th, when Arizona and Oregon visit the two schools, respectively. Perhaps we'll be seeing more Thursday Night Pac-Ten games from Pasadena to make room for these games?