ELWAY HUDDLES WITH L.A. MAGNATE.

Byline: Beth Barrett Daily News Staff Writer

John Elway, the man in the middle of the ownership fight for Los Angeles' pro football franchise, views the warring bidders as being at ``opposite ends of the spectrum,'' his agent said Tuesday.

Elway, the retired Denver Broncos superstar quarterback who would bring a marquee name to the L.A. market, has gradually arrived at that conclusion following a series of meetings with billionaire Eli Broad and entertainment mogul Michael Ovitz, the leaders of the competing groups, said Marvin Demoff, a Los Angeles attorney.

The latest meeting, a 2-1/2-hour session between Elway and Broad in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday, was the longest to date, with Elway indicating a deepening comfort level with the local billionaire, according to Demoff, who spoke with Elway after the session.

Broad said no commitments were made but he came away with the impression that if Elway comes back to Los Angeles as part of a football expansion franchise, the Granada Hills native will come as part of Broad's ownership group.

``He indicated that if he does anything, he'd do it with us,'' Broad said in an interview.

Demoff said Elway told Broad he is growing more comfortable with him, and the possibility of joining his group.

The courting of Elway illustrates some of those differences, with Broad to date spending considerably more time in both casual and business talks with the football great.

Broad said he offered Elway the presidency and an investment opportunity.

Ovitz has held ``preliminary'' discussions with Elway and would be willing to meet with him again, according to the ownership group's adviser, attorney Mark Fabiani, a former deputy mayor under Tom Bradley.

Demoff said Elway might meet with Ovitz at some point ``for clarification.''

Broad and Demoff said the Florida meeting, in an airport conference room outside the media spotlight, covered a wide range of topics and addressed several business aspects that could impact Elway's decision.

``John had a much greater opportunity to find out from Eli Broad how he might fit into the plans, including his opportunity to invest,'' Demoff said. ``All of that was clarified.''

Broad said the meeting was a chance for him and Elway to ``get to know one another, to find out what he's interested in.''

The conversation ranged from Elway's college and professional careers to family concerns, and business and investment opportunities and interests, Broad said.

``The meeting was very constructive and John was encouraged by Broad as to where he would fit into his operation,'' Demoff said. ``Both parties were encouraged how they might work together.''

Elway, however, indicated he is in no hurry to make a final decision, wanting to take time with his family first and to carefully consider what and where he should begin a new career, Demoff said.

Broad said Elway's business acumen impressed him, and that he had strong recommendations from Pat Bowlen, owner of the Broncos.

Sources suggested, too, that Elway would not want to commit to an L.A. team until he could be assured of its success.

``John is in the exploring stage,'' Demoff said.

Steve Soboroff, Mayor Richard Riordan's point person in bringing professional football back to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, said Elway would play an important role.

``He adds passion for the sport,'' Soboroff said. ``That's a huge factor to the NFL. You can have passion for the economics, for the community, for the pizazz of it, but it's the passion for the sport that's going to be one of the main components, and Elway provides that.''

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