NFL WILL FUND MOST OF REPORT.

Byline: - Billy Witz

As expected, the City of Pasadena has reached a tentative agreement with the NFL in which the league has agreed to foot most of the bill for an environmental impact report on the proposed renovation of the Rose Bowl.

The agreement calls for the league to pay for up to $600,000 of the cost of preparing an EIR, which is expected to begin later this month and take 10 months to complete. It is estimated to cost about $500,000, city officials say.

The NFL also has agreed to inform Pasadena officials within six months of the EIR's certification (pending any legal challenges to the EIR) whether it will locate a team in the Rose Bowl. In the meantime, Rose Bowl officials will continue to talk with the NFL about the stadium proposal's financing.

Thursday's agreement was welcomed by city officials, particularly after the NFL's announcement in May to commit up to $10 million to explore a possible site in Carson.

``This demonstrates the NFL's commitment to continue exploring the Rose Bowl as an NFL site, the fact that they're willing to put up some of their own money,'' said Rose Bowl Operating Company vice chairman Bill Thomson. ``We were all kind of taken aback by (the Carson announcement), so we're pleased that the league has stepped forward and is willing to put money on the table to demonstrate their commitment.''