The Los Angeles Times ran a story this week laying out Measure A in Pasadena, which would require the city’s elected officials to restart negotiations with the National Football League after its council cut off talks last year.
If Measure A passes, Pasadena’s proposal to land an NFL team at the Rose Bowl would be among two other pitches that Southern California cities are making right now to the league. Los Angeles and Anaheim are also waiting to hear back from the NFL owners about the suitability of their sites.
Adding Pasadena to the mix could provide the Chargers with another option when they are allowed to begin talking to cities outside of San Diego County on Jan. 1. Inside the county, the team is in formal stadium talks with Chula Vista and National City. The team could leave the city of San Diego-owned Qualcomm Stadium as early as 2008 if it pays back the remaining tab on the stadium’s bonds.
Measure A would allow the NFL to site a team in Pasadena if it agrees to make the $500 million worth of improvements to the 80-year-old Rose Bowl, which currently hosts the annual Tournament of Roses college bowl game as well as UCLA’s regular season home football contests.
I interviewed Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard for a story I did on outside cities’ plans for courting the Chargers when their window of opportunity opens on New Year’s Day.
Bogaard said in past speeches that there was a need to keep the Rose Bowl competitive, but last month, he said that he thought the city wasn’t eager to endure the headaches that come with attracting an NFL team.
“I consider the NFL question in Pasadena to be behind us because the fit is not a good one,” Bogaard said. “I believe there is a better way in pursuing the well being of the Rose Bowl for the long term in a more manageable way for our community.”