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LA NFL FRANCHISE POSSIBILITY

The general manager of the Los Angeles Coliseum has expressed optimism about the possibility of an NFL franchise playing there in four years.

The Associated Press report that the NFL has expressed its desire to have a franchise in this area in 2008 or 2009, with the Coliseum a candidate along with the Rose Bowl in Pasadena and sites in Anaheim, Carson and perhaps El Toro, where stadiums would have to be built.

"The NFL is really intent on getting something done in Los Angeles," Pat Lynch said. "We're talking all the time. We're very hopeful. We think we're making decent progress. The time lines we hope can work in our favour.

"We're far down the road in all respects. They'll be going through their process. Right now, we're just happy to be going through the process rather than being on the outside looking in."

The Los Angeles area has been without an NFL franchise since the Raiders left the Coliseum to return to Oakland and the Rams moved from Anaheim to St. Louis before the 1995 season.

Lynch said a stadium at the Coliseum would be brand new - not a refurbishment - and that the NFL would foot the bill.