100 RALLY TO BRING NFL TO COLISEUM.

Byline: Rick Orlov Daily News Staff Writer

With the USC marching band, cheerleaders and enough former professional football players to field a team, officials launched a drive Thursday to build fan support for bringing an NFL team to the Coliseum.

With more than 100 supporters gathered in sweltering heat at the Coliseum, developer Edward Roski Jr. announced that a toll-free telephone number has been set up to demonstrate fan support for efforts by him and Philip Anschutz to win a National Football League franchise.

``We need to show the NFL that this market wants and will support a professional football team,'' Roski said. ``We have to convince them there is the support here and the NFL needs to be in the second-largest media market in the nation.''

Several media campaigns are planned over the next several weeks to encourage people to voice their support. The toll free number is 1-888-600-4NFL.

Roski said a formal presentation to the NFL owners on their plans for remodeling the Coliseum and fan support for a team will be made at the October owners meeting in Washington, D.C.

Roski and Anschutz, who are co-owners of the Los Angeles Kings and are seeking to build a sports arena downtown, have said they are willing to put up some $500 million for the football team and Coliseum work.

But, Roski added, a key feature to winning NFL support is the fate of their arena proposal.

``I can assure you, the NFL is looking at every story on that,'' Roski said. ``If the arena doesn't go through, the chances of getting a football team go with it.''

NFL owners have said they plan to decide next spring on an expansion team for Cleveland and possibly one other city. Los Angeles is competing with Houston and Toronto for a team.

Roski said it was his hope Los Angeles could have a new team by the year 2001, although NFL officials said it is more likely to be in 2002.

Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, who has been the main supporter behind the Coliseum, said it was time for sports fans to step up to let the NFL know there is support for the Coliseum and professional football.

Among the football players present were Vince Evans and Anthony Davis, both of whom played professionally and for USC, and former Los Angeles Rams player Rosey Grier.