County Finds Way to Cash In on Raiders

The county Board of Supervisors, while still hoping to woo back the Los Angeles Raiders, agreed Tuesday to sublease county land for a parking lot that could be used by Irwindale if that city builds a proposed football stadium as the team’s new home.

Under the plan outlined by Supervisor Pete Schabarum, Irwindale would pay the county either $400,000 or--if it is higher--14% of the annual gross parking receipts from Raider games and other events where parking fees are charged.

Irwindale would also agree to provide $10 million over the next decade to finance the construction of a charro, or Mexican rodeo, facility to be operated by the county Parks and Recreation Department.

Supervisors said the arrangement would enable the county to benefit financially if the Raiders should move while leaving them in a position--if the move should collapse--to persuade the team to continuing playing at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

Board Chairman Ed Edelman cast the dissenting vote. “I for one don’t want to aid them in getting out of the Coliseum,” he said.

The proposal is subject to approval by Irwindale officials and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which owns the county-leased land.