Great Timing
OK, time to address the USC-to-the-Rose Bowl announcement. This really smells like a negotiating ploy by USC to pressure the Coliseum into agreeing to its demands for improvements. But it's not just improvements, because who is against improvements?
There's no doubt revenue-sharing plans (like luxury suites) that are really holding this thing up.
I question the timing. For one thing, it detracts attention from the USC-UCLA game, which I guess is the point. But the next time a coach says the players are being distracted by media attention, they should be reminded that USC chose to distract its own players the week of the biggest game of the year with this annoucement.
``I don’t think it’s right,'' Coliseum general manager Pat Lynch said. ``The focus should be on the game and the players.''
Remember, UCLA has exclusive rights to play at the Rose Bowl, so the Bruins would want something (money) to let USC join them for two years. And USC did not address how it would host Cal on Nov. 8, when UCLA hosts Oregon State.
This is ludicrous! The timing couldn't be worse. USC should have waited until after the game to make this announcement. Why detract from the game?
Further, Scott is right: This is a negotiating ploy with the Coliseum. But USC would have to get UCLA's permission?! That is wrong on every level.
Worse, why play at the Rose Bowl? I know it is in a beautiful setting. However, the Coliseum is USC's home (and a recent 35-game winning streak). We partake in the pregame campus festivities, kick the flagpole, and walk over to the Coliseum. Sure, it could use a facelift and amenities, but so could the Rose Bowl (bench seating, limited ingress/egress...feel free to add).
Regardless of whether this a serious negotation or a just a ploy by USC, the timing of its release is dreadful. We should be focusing on beating the Bruins to make the Rose Bowl, not begging the Bruins to play there permanently.
uscmike:
Pls. research>with ALL due respect. According to an article by the LA Times Sam Farmer USC(28 Nov 07) got permission to negotiate with the Rose Bowl commission from UCLA. USC Adm. people are smarter than that...
Yes, I agree that they should stay at the Coliseum because of the tradition. Mayor Villaraigosa is also committed to keep the Trojans at the Coliseum.
Bill Plaschke(LAT, 28 Nov 07) also stated that the USC got permission from UCLA to negotiate with the Rose Bowl commission.
I don't want my team housed in the same place as any team from Westwood.
Period.
Odds that USC will move to the Rose Bowl: 1 Zillion to one
How would you relocate all those deep-pocket alums who fork over serious dough for those 50-yard line seats?
Also, USC fans are smart enough NEVER to put up with sitting on BENCH seats like they have in certain parts of the Rose Bowl. What will happen here is more posturing, followed by USC getting what it needs from the forever-lame Coliseum Commission, which couldn't run a track meet, let alone a major sporting venue.
What L.A. needs is somebody like Magic Johnson as mayor. He would know how to handle this situation and make things work. Do you think Magic would ever allow the Coliseum to be VACANT for all those 6 Saturdays during the fall when USC fans are paying for tickets, hot dogs, beer and parking?
BTW, I would vote for Magic for President if he were running today - the man is awesome!
The Coliseum belongs to the Trojans. In January, the Rose Bowl belongs to the Trojans. A move to the Rose Bowl will not happen, as this is only a leverage play by the USC administration to update the Coliseum (which needs to happen).
Why don't all the alumni get together and pitch in 1 billion dollars to buy the Colesium. I believe USC has the necessary financial clout to make this work.
SC should just take over control of everything that is currently under the auspices of the Coliseum Commission and put it out of business once and for all.
It is living in yesterday, and each and every day that passes reinforces that feeling.
what a gift for sportswriters.. another topic to get everybody riled up.
By the way, those wailing about ever sharing with UCLA... are you too young to remember that we shared the Colisseum for many years?
yeesh, let's not get our shorts in a bunch over this one, and let USC, the Colisseum Commission and the Rose Bowl Operating Company have their fun... it's called negotiation, and you can't get your best deal unless you at least show a willingness to go elsewhere.
Duh.
At least there would be a home team at the Rose Bowl who could hold a win-streak.