TIPOFF NFL TEAM MAY BE COMING TO L.A. - DOES ANYBODY CARE?

Byline: RICK ORLOV

A bunch of rich guys stand at a podium, talking about their plans to bring professional football back to Los Angeles. They say they have the support of the National Football League.

Sound familiar?

It should.

We've heard it at least three times since 1995, when the Raiders and Rams both abandoned Los Angeles. The question now is, does anybody care - particularly with the ability to watch three televised games every Sunday?

``I've heard this argument,'' said Tim Leiweke, president of Anschutz Entertainment Group, which is putting together the latest NFL bid. ``There is this perception that we can pick the games. That's not the case. The networks dictate to us.

``I think this is one of the best sports markets in the United States. If you look at USC and UCLA and you look at the Raiders - they were one of the top-drawing teams - if you get a competitive team ... I think there will be an enormous amount of passion for a new team here.''

But first, AEG must reach an agreement with the city of Los Angeles and its Community Redevelopment Agency to put the land together needed to build the stadium.

And that will take negotiations.

``It well might be as easy as they say,'' said one city official who was familiar with the agreements that led to construction of Staples Center, another AEG project. ``But if you figure we're at the same point we were with Staples, it took two years to reach an agreement.''

Just a year ago, Gov. Gray Davis seemed assured of an easy bid for re-election.

Then the economy slowed, the energy crisis hit and the state's multibillion-dollar surplus quickly turned into a multibillion-dollar deficit. And just months after saying he would not advocate any new taxes, Davis last week had to propose spending cuts and a hike on cigarette taxes.

Seeking to deflect any criticism, the Davis campaign team has gone on the attack against Republican opponent Bill Simon.

In a series of missives released last week, the Davis campaign put Simon in the hot seat and demanded to know his budget plans.

For his part, Simon has been vague and dodged most of the questions, preferring to let Davis wallow in controversies over the budget and contributions to his political campaign.

Over the past several weeks, critics have raised questions about money Davis accepted from Enron as well as contributions from Oracle, a computer software manufacturer that was awarded a $95 million no-bid contract for products that state offices said they didn't need.

Critics also want to know about a report that Davis requested a $1 million campaign contribution from the California Teachers Association during a policy meeting in the governor's office in the state Capitol.

Maybe it's term-limit fever.

Tempers are growing short at Los Angeles City Hall, as demonstrated by last week's outburst between two members whose local careers are due to end next year.

Councilman Nate Holden, taken in recent months to reminding newer members of his years of experience, was taking on the Los Angeles International Airport's operation and the treatment of workers by one of its concessionaires.

Councilwoman Ruth Galanter, also leaving next year and in whose district the airport is located, finally had enough.

``You know, I love doing business with you,'' Galanter said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. ``One of the reasons I'm looking forward to retirement is I'll never have to see you again.''

MEDIA WATCH: A lot of people are waiting for former Mayor Richard Riordan to act on his announced plans to publish a newspaper to cover what he considers the real issues of Los Angeles.

But others are wary of the plans, which could involve investments of as much as $40 million.

In particular are the people Riordan has in his Rolodex and that he has called on for years for various charities and other events.

``If he calls, I'm not calling back,'' said one associate who has been on Riordan's call list in the past. ``That's why God invented Caller ID.''