Lakers parade to proceed -- with conditions [Updated]

Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti said this morning that it appeared that enough private donations had been pledged to cover the city's costs for Wednesday’s parade to celebrate the Lakers’ NBA championship.

Several council members had voiced opposition to spending any tax dollars on the parade because of the city’s financial crisis, which is expected to lead to widespread layoffs and worker furloughs starting in July.

Council members Jan Perry and Bernard C. Parks today filed a motion authorizing the Lakers’ parade, but only with the understanding that “event sponsors will reimburse the City for all fees and costs associated with this event," including police protection and other staffing necessary for city street closures.

The motion is expected to come before the council for consideration in the next few hours. It instructs city financial officers to account for all city expenses incurred during the parade and to confirm the city has been reimbursed.

[Updated at 2:15 p.m.: The motion was introduced without discussion at the City Council meeting but will not be voted upon until next Tuesday.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, appearing at a news conference in El Segundo, said private donors had pledged approximately $850,000 to pay for police protection and other city services for the parade. That is enough to eliminate the need to spend tax dollars on the celebration, he said.

Donors include: Casey and Laura Wasserman; Jerry and Margie Perenchio: Eli and Edythe Broad; Haim and Cheryl Saban; and the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, a San Bernardino County tribe that owns a popular casino in Highland. The amount donated by each was not disclosed.]

The parade is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Staples Center and procede south on Figueroa Street  to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The following streets will be closed from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Figueroa from Chick Hearn Court to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, and Chick Hearn Court from Figueroa Street to Georgia Street.

Over the weekend, city officials urged the owners of the Lakers and Anschutz Entertainment Group, which owns Staples Center, to pick up the tab for the celebration. The two already pledged to pay more than $1 million in parade production costs.

Sources told The Times that two media executives and several other people stepped forward to help the city pay for its share the parade celebrating the Lakers’ 15th championship.

Approximately $450,000 has been donated by Casey and Laura Wasserman, Jerry and Margie Perenchio and others, and other major contributions were pledged on Monday. Casey Wasserman is the grandson of former Universal Pictures Chairman Lew Wasserman. Jerry Perenchio is the former chairman of Univision Communications.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s office estimated the city’s costs could approach $900,000, but council members said those expenses could be much less because the parade route is shorter than in past years.

“I think they are very close. My last report was about an hour ago,’’ said Councilwoman Jan Perry, whose district includes the Staples Center.

AEG President Tim Leiweke has taken the most active role in raising private donations to ensure that no city tax dollars are needed to fund to parade, city officials said.

“I have to give a lot recognition to Tim’s efforts,’’ Perry said. “The Lakers and AEG have always been very responsive to community needs. ... I’m not at all surprised that they have stepped up to be good civic partners.’’

Villaraigosa, along with Laker Derek Fisher and LAPD Chief William J. Bratton, will hold a news conference this afternoon to announce the parade financing.

-- Phil Willon and Richard Winton

Comments

[Gee]

They sure did manage to shore up a bunch of money from private donors in a hurry, now didn't they? How about tapping those same resources to help resolve the budget shortfalls, rather than continuing to hit up John Q. Taxpayer?

[Jose Padilla]

So, let me get the part people played in this straight. Council members cried and moaned about the problem, but didn't actually take steps to solve it themselves. Leiweke is the one who decided to take it upon himself to gather donors for the city. And Villaraigosa gets the credit at some news conference. Isn't that wonderful.

I guess the city doesn't have enough money that holding a parade is considered a problem, but there is enough money to hold a news conference announcing that money has been vultured for it (along with tons of other frivolous news conferences that only serve to give Villaraigosa undue credit and face time.

People reacted to looting on Sunday and to having to pay for a parade. When does the public get in an uproar over the knuckleheads at city hall who have brought this city to its knees with their incompetence?

[Pooh]

A better use for donated money would be to help out the local store owners whose businesses were looted and burned by out-of-control Laker fans.

[Adam Vant]

Just follow the money. Jerry Perenchio gave $1.5 million to the Yes on 1A campaign. Prop. 1A was a 2-year tax increase in disguise which was put on the ballot by the liars and thieves in the state legislature, but we voters voted it down 2-1. Not surprising that Jerry Perenchio is helping out Villaraigosa, who also backed Prop. 1A. One good stroke deserves another.

[Timothy Palacios]

If it wasn't for the Lakers there would be no Downtown LA. The Lakers are the onloy reason Downtown LA is reviving as a place to go or live. The Lkers are the main attraction and if you will not honor them then you shouldn't honor the actors and the entertainment industry which is also private business using tax dollars on Oscar night and cancel the marathon too because is definately a drain on taxes and it doesn't create any revenue for Los Angeles. Instead of the Lkers giving us a parade we should be giving them one for giving us a reason to be proud of the city and thier incredible historic team that will continue to make history for LA.

[Tom]

oh, let's hand the money to the illegal aliens like we have been doing, you know, the ones on TV causing all the damage that night....get a clue City Council, they one the world title and this is the city's responsibility to honor them. After all, they bring megamillions in city revenue

[aaron]

Why cant the DA go after the rioters? i saw the pics on the media, you can clearly identify the faces of many of these rioters.

The district attorney should have a news conference that these rioters are being sought, in addition the local news media should do its part and splatter these faces on television that these rioters are wanted this should be broadcast at prime time.

Its high time the news media show some love for our city, everyone wants and wants, these rioters/haters of our city should be shown at prime time and no cost to anyone. Hopefully this could discourage this behavior.

Imagine rioters throwing bricks and braking windows of the banks..something would definite happen to these riotors. They would be arrested and prosecute!
We should not let these rioter ruin our city, prosecute them!

[robertoc]

people need jobs, not parades! the city has funded enough on the lakers - i'm sure a private sports team can come up with the money so we don't use up tax dollars.

[Vic]

My comment is a response to GEE.

The donations were solicited by AEG, NOT the city. AEG and the LAKERS are paying for the parade.

The donors for the parade are well known givers to MANY causes in the city that benefit multiple groups. They donate to so many different groups and in such large amounts that I'm surprised they gave anything for the parade. But then again, the Broads and Sabans have put LA first since becoming rich.

Your comment shows your lack of insight in the goings of this vast city and many non-profit groups we have.
I suggest you google the name of the donors and see how many different groups they are attached to and see how much money they have each donated for non-political causes over the last decade.

[Publius]

Where were all of you whinners the past 20 to 30 years or more? You should have been paying more attention to your city's and country's political machinery. Blame yourselves for turning on the TV to watch sports games and grilling food or watching trash talk shows all the time ignoring important stories about the food you are grilling and buying into the dummied news provided by mainstream media.
I Love LA and Lakers are part of this city's culture and history and they bring money to the city. Let's let the LAPD/LACSD do their tough/dangerous job and capture those culprits from this past Sunday's mayhem.
Vote (this alone won't do it either), write letters, contact the elected officials, take your lattes to a political/community event and cheer or jeer the person at the podium. Read books too.

[daisy]

What a joke. Is this really what this kind of money should be spent on? I'm as big a fan as anyone and am thrilled that our team won, but c'mon. People are losing everything they own left and right. $850k could go a long way for someone other than a group of guys already making millions.

[John]

1 MILLION $? POCKET CHANGE FOR JACK!!!!!

[crook and liars]

now the mayor need to get some one to pay for all those damages done , he can get his conpadres the billord cmp.and developers i wonder if is taking his senorita to the parade
she can be the queen of the parade

[Johnny]

I love the Lakers and LA . It would of been nice to of heard Kobe Pau and maybe Phil step-up and donating some cash themselves.

They haver earned millions.

[msbeachwood]

Where are our priorities? What a waste of money. The last thing Kobe Bryant needs is a parade celebrating how great he is.
If the Lakers had any class they would demure and give the $$ to charity.

[Rod]

I don't understand how anyone with common sense can go after the Lakers for EARNING a parade. If was not for the NBA Team with the most wins Downtown would not be in be in the state it is now. With the Privately financed Staples Center the home of the Lakers, Clippers, Kings, the Grammy Awards and hundreds of other events held annually at that venue. Now the Privately financed L.A. Live and Nokia theater home of concerts and American Idol and with 12 plus restaurants. You would not have the Millions of dollars in tax revenue that is being pumped into Los Angeles' economy. Please look at the BIG Picture The Lakers the Buss family and AEG have helped the city of Los Angeles in a big way. Look at LAlive.com if need you more on what is happening in the new Downtown Los Angeles.

[Theo Merina]

Hey, I pay a ton of taxes ... I wouldn't mind paying a little more taxes for a parade. Why not? It's not like my taxes are being put to good use anyway! Go Lakers!!!!!!

[Pete the Fed]

Someone needs to be asking who will reimburse the businesses who will be out sales due to street closures and other disruptions. Also, who will be providing public safety for the officers who will be providing crowd and vehicle control.

[John Doe]

You people and your opinions don't have any effect on any of this.

[Dennis Lim]

According to the NBA page on the parade, the street closures will begin at 8 a.m., not 6 a.m. Can someone clarify which is the right time?

A frustrating or very early commute hangs in the balance.

Here is the NBA link I'm referring to: http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/09_paradeinfo.html

[Bob Zany]

LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE WASSERMAN'S AND THE OTHERS!!!!!!!!!!!! HIP HIP HOOOORAYYY!!!!!! HIP HIP HOOOOORRRAAAAYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!

[Laker fan]

Why doesn't the NBA foot the bill?

All professional leagues should have a fund set aside every year to pay for their championship parades and any damages incurred by "celebrating" fans.

[Marcos El Malo]

It is laughable and idiotic that there are people who can't tell the difference between tax money and private money and that think they have some sort of say over how private citizens spend/donate their money. How do these mouth breathers even get online without electrocuting themselves?

[Melaine Samson]

JOBS NOT PARADES! JOBS NOT PARADES!!!!

[keeko]

There's only one legitimate place I've found to watch the parade live, the rest seem like scams :-/ You can see it over here though: http://vostuu.com/watch28015.html

Right now they're just doing replays of Game 5 though ;)

[Richard]

It sounds hypocritical to those council members who complain about the cost of the parade and state that the money could be spent elsewhere due to the city's financial crisis. It is hard for me to agree with them when they are unwilling to make sacrifices to address this issue. Bernard Parks should be ashamed of himself when it is reported that he collects $22,000 a month in retirement benefits in addition to his $178,789 yearly salary. Mr. Parks justified his benefits by stating that he "earned it". Well, the Lakers also "earned it" when it comes to a parade. It was also nice of the mayor to stop by for a visit. If there's a camera, he'll be there!

[Sonnyde]

EVERYONE SHUTUP. Can't make everyone happy. Life goes on. Have the Parade, deal with it later. Life doesn't stop because someone died, or lose their job. Get extra training, learn something new, keep your job. It's all politics. The city has money. It's just an excuse to say they don't have money so they can easy get rid of non performing idiots.

[Shawna Adams]

Cesspool of California, riots not once, but TWICE after they WIN an NBA championship?! Yeah they deserve to have a parade. The Village Idiot they call a mayor can be the grand marshal.

[Alice Salazar]

Man if LA cannot throw the Lakers a party, they can come down my house and I'll throw them one.

With all the turmoil of our great state goverment spending like there was no tomorrow and with the idea that the City will rake in thousands in food and other sales for this event, everyone who complains needs to take a step back and turn off their TV. Like we really need your opinion or support! GO LAKERS!!!!

[J-Dizzle]

Gee, it doesn't take long for private donors to be found. Also, look at the names and the companies affiliated with it including the casino's. That's advertising revenue right there. Millions of people in that parade and seeing that, the money spent there is to generate money.

[nathan b]

In this time of need people need some more happiness and at least for one day this will give it to them. Every year the lakers generate 150 million dollars or more for the city, and this parade is estimated to bring in about 15 million dollars for the city. For you people who just want to complain take your head out of your butt and think about how important it is to have happiness in your life. GO LAKERS!!!