City of Carson

PRESS Release

Release # 03-033

May 21, 2003

Carson to Maintain Wait-and-See Attitude

Until NFL Proposal is Received

Carson's city manager, Jerome G. Groomes, welcomed the decision of the National Football League to commit $10 million toward the development of a football site in the city as a 'unique and exciting opportunity for the entire community", but will continue to maintain a wait-and-see attitude until a formal proposal is received from the NFL.

Groomes said he is not surprised with the NFL's decision to consider Carson as a potential football site. In fact, he is confident that Carson is "ahead of the game" because it best serves the NFL's desire to develop a state-of-the-art football facility. Strategically situated between two major freeways, the potential NFL site offers proximity to both Los Angeles and Orange Counties, and eliminates the need to retrofit an existing facility.

"The financial commitment made by the NFL towards the Carson site sends a strong statement about their interest here versus the other sites in other cities," Groomes said, but did not want to speculate. "It would all depend on what they will propose."

The NFL has not contacted the City of Carson since it made its announcement of financial commitment on Tuesday, but when it does, Groomes said the City would pay special attention to the structure of financial participation expected of the City.

"An ideal scenario would have two components - a clear and secure path that would allow the City to recoup any investment it will make; and the ability to demonstrate that this venture is beneficial and profitable to our community," he said.