They're paying the freight for your parade, unless you'd still like the cash to go somewhere else

Laura and Casey Wasserman, Margie and Jerry Perenchio, Cheryl and Haim Saban, Edyth and Eli Broad, Sharon and Joe Hernandez of Melissa's Fruit's and Vegetables, Gayle and Ed Roski and the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.

According to those associated with AEG, owners of Staples Center and part-owner of the Lakers, that group above has helped finance the $1 million in production costs for Wednesday's Lakers parade. AEG and Fox Sports Net has also agreed to contribute.

"It was important to Dr. Buss, Tim Leiweke and all of our colleagues that none of the costs of producing this celebration be absorbed by the City's treasury," Lakers senior VP of business operations Tim Harris said today.

"We are grateful to Mayor Villaraigosa for his leadership and determination to help us raise nearly $1 million so that no money from the City's general fund would be needed for the Lakers celebration," said Leiweke. "While these dedicated and loyal citizens who have stepped up to underwrite this event have done so simply out of pride for our City have asked for no special recognition, we owe them a debt of gratitude for this amazing gesture."

FSN West plans to televise the parade starting at 9:30 a.m. with Stu Lantz, Joel Meyers, Bill Macdonald, Norm Nixon, Rick Fox, Patrick O'Neal and Michael Eaves. It reairs at 1:30 p.m., 7 p.m. and 11 p.m.

Also, KCAL-Channel 9 (at 10 a.m.) and KCBS-Channel 2 (at 11 a.m.) will air it with Jim Hill, James Worthy, John Ireland and Gary Miller.