USC has backed off its proposal to run the Coliseum, provided the stadium’s landlord takes responsibility for making significant improvements to the venue, the Los Angeles Times reports.

In a counterproposal issued by the school Monday, school officials suggested a four-year plan for the Coliseum Commission to significantly upgrade the 84-year-old stadium.

“It’s been our home for over 80 years,” said Todd Dickey, USC senior vice president and general counsel. “We have all our tradition and history in that facility, and it’s where our fans want to stay. It’s an important part of our culture, so it’s by far our first choice.”

By the school’s estimate, a sufficient overhaul of the stadium would cost about $50 million, or half of what USC offered to invest in the venue in a proposal submitted in June. That plan required the commission to hand day-to-day operations of the stadium to the school.

The nine-member commission, composed of representatives from the city, county and state, issued a proposal last week in which it agreed to give the school the right to veto any deal with the NFL. That is a significant concession.

USC’s counterproposal also would require that the commission adhere to a specific timetable to complete various renovations, and, if it cannot keep pace with those, that it give up control of the stadium to the school.

Read the full L.A. Times story

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