Posted at 3:05 a.m., Friday, December 7, 2007
CFB: Rose Bowl delays decision on USC using stadium
Associated Press
PASADENA, Calif. — The operators of the Rose Bowl delayed making a decision yesterday on whether to let USC play its home games at the stadium next season.The Rose Bowl Operating Co. said it wanted USC to talk to UCLA before making a decision.
"We're going to do that, and then we plan to go back to the Rose Bowl Operating Co.," USC spokesman James Grant said.
The Bruins, who are the Trojans' main rivals, play in the Rose Bowl and have veto power over sharing the stadium with another team. UCLA apparently would block any deal with USC allowing the Trojans to play more than one season in Pasadena.
USC is seeking a one-year lease, with an option for a second year, to play at the Rose Bowl after its lease with the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum ended Saturday.
USC offered to spend $100 million to renovate the stadium if the Coliseum Commission will give the school control of the facility, including naming and broadcasting rights. The commission rejected the offer.
Todd Dickey, USC senior vice president and general counsel, has said the Trojans remain open to a compromise that would keep them in the Coliseum, their home since 1923.
Rose Bowl officials were encouraging USC to continue negotiations with the commission.
"It is clear that everybody hopes for a successful resolution of the impasse between USC and the commission," Bill Thomson, chairman of Rose Bowl Operating Co. board said.
