NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, in a Q&A with Mike Hiserman of the L.A. TIMES, said of Majestic Realty Chair & CEO Ed Roski's L.A.-area stadium proposal, "We take it as a positive step because we've always said that we've got to do it with a new stadium that's going to be suitable for our fans going forward for several years." Goodell said of Roski, "He's a serious guy. He's a credible man. ... He's got an interesting proposal which we'll certainly take seriously." Asked if the "credible proposal" raises the priority of placing an NFL team in L.A., Goodell said, "We've got a lot of issues that we're trying to deal with. ... If there is an opportunity to do it successfully for the community and successfully for an NFL team, that's something that we'd take seriously and deal with appropriately." Goodell, on whether an L.A. team would be expansion or relocation, said, "Right now that would be a relocation. We don't have a team that's prepared to relocate. ... But expansion is not on the front burner and is clearly not a priority at this point" ( L.A. TIMES, 4/25 ). NOT PAYING OFF : In London, Jeremy Wilson reports the new Wembley Stadium in its first year of operation lost US$43.6M, as running costs have "been significantly higher than expected, particularly because of the bill for security at events that could be targeted by terrorists." Costs at one stage in '07 were "running 50[%] over budget." Wembley and the Football Association are "close to signing a deal with a group of banks to refinance the [US$858.2M] loan taken out in 2002 to pay for the building of the stadium" ( London TELEGRAPH, 4/25 ). ANTITRUST SUIT : Calder Race Course and Churchill Downs Technology Initiatives Co. Thursday filed suit in U.S. District Court in Kentucky against the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Group (THG), the Florida Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association (FLHBPA) and the officers of each organization. The suit alleges violations under the Sherman Antitrust Act and is a result of the FLHBPA's refusal, in conjunction with the THG, to approve the distribution of Calder races to out-of-state OTBs, including advance-deposit wagering (ADW) companies. The suit requests that the THG be dissolved and the defendants be prevented from boycotting racetracks and ADW operators that do not comply with their demands, including uniform terms for racing signals costs ( CDI ). DEMOCRATIC LOCKOUT : The Nuggets have "been notified they won't have access" to the Pepsi Center from July 5-September 15 due to the Democratic National Convention. Team officials are "seeking locations for offseason workouts" ( ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, 4/24 ). LIGHTHOUSE : Hempstead, New York, officials have scheduled hearings for May 22 and 27 for groups or agencies to discuss "potentially significant adverse impacts" of the $2B Lighthouse development proposal that includes a renovated Nassau Coliseum. Lighthouse developers said that they would "like to begin the Coliseum renovation in July 2009" ( NEWSDAY, 4/25 ).
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