There are two competing plans for a new pro football stadium in the Los Angeles area: One would essentially rebuild the Coliseum, and one would be part of a sports/retail complex in Carson. Real estate mogul Ed Roski is behind the Coliseum remake, while former entertainment honcho Mike Ovitz is pushing the Carson development.

Are you aware of the competing plans? If so, do you have a preference?

Anthony W. Shepherd

Associate

Barrington Associates

I think that the Coliseum should be set aside for USC. A new one should be built for the pro team. A new stadium would be more appropriate. I don’t think that rebuilding the Coliseum, in that location, would be adequate to hold a new NFL franchise. I don’t really know about Ovitz’s plan for Carson, but the Coliseum really should be left for the school.

Joseph D. Epps

Partner

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP

I think we should stay with the Coliseum. I back (L.A. City Councilman) Mark Ridley-Thomas. For one thing, the infrastructure is already in place to support a new team in the area. Second, travel time would be too great for people to go that far south (to Carson). We probably should take advantage of the existing amenities and facilities.

James Faustina

Senior Underwriter

Amwest Surety Insurance

I’ve heard about the plans from a distance. I think we should rebuild the existing stadium. I don’t want to go to Carson. The Coliseum is a nice facility and does desperately need some enhancements to bring it into modern times, especially with the dollars that the teams are getting now. I’m a football fan and it’s kind of embarrassing that we don’t have a team. We need to get one and support them when they’re here, that way we’ll get a good one.

John Bakker(pic newsmakers 9-14)

Vice President, Manager

Sanwa Bank

Being a person who lives in the South Bay area, I’d love to see it in Carson. The people who live in that area would be highly supportive of it.

Jack Seifert(pic newsmakers9-21)

Vice President, Production

Dick Clark Productions Inc.

Personally, I preferred the one that was going to be put out by Dodger Stadium by Peter O’Malley. They have adequate parking there and that’s one thing the Coliseum doesn’t have. Even if they fix it up, it never will have enough parking. I’m not very familiar with the Carson stadium plan, but that is just too far for people who live in L.A.

Elaine Arons

Associate Recruiter

Human Resources International

I haven’t really heard too much about this, but I think anything that we can do to bring business, jobs, entertainment and sports into Los Angeles is good. Isn’t that what we are on track for?