USC Corners Coliseum Commission in Negotiations

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.The Los Angeles Times says that USC is giving ground with this proposal, but I personally think it is brilliant as a public relations move. No one seriously believes that the Coliseum Commission will be able to meet the deadlines proposed--or any deadlines for that matter. When was the last time a government entity got anything done on time and under budget. So either USC gets its Master Lease, or it saves the $100-200 million it was going to spend improving the stadium.

Politically, however, the move might not be so wise. Heretofore, USC's allies on the Coliseum Commission have been working with them because of the University's commitment to make an investment in the stadium--after all, when was the last time a government entity told you thay didn't want your money? If they'd rather negotiate the Master Lease and improvements up-front, the public will get a better deal than they'd get if--or shall we say, when--the Coliseum Commission breaches its contract with the University.

Meanwhile USC continues to talk to the Rose Bowl about playing there temporarily, but given the possibility of UCLA rejecting a deal to let USC play there, the University may have to look farther afield if no deal can be reached with the Coliseum. Stadium options in Southern California, however, are somewhat limited. Beyond the Coliseum and Rose Bowl, the next largest venues would be Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego and the 27,000-seat Home Dept Center, which together have a combined capacity which is lower than the largest crowd at either the Coliseum or Rose Bowl.