Rose Bowl Joins Forces With Moag

In a move that underscores their interest in landing an NFL team, Rose Bowl officials have struck a deal with John Moag, the stadium consultant who helped clear the way for the Cleveland Browns to move to Baltimore.

Moag cannot officially be hired until the move is approved today by the board of directors of the Rose Bowl Operating Company, and Monday by the Pasadena City Council.

Moag, chairman of Moag & Co., a Baltimore-based sports investment banking firm, has agreed to a two-year deal that does not include up-front money, but will pay him a “success fee” of as much as $5 million if he can broker a deal that puts an NFL team in the Rose Bowl for at least 15 years.

“In order to be successful, we needed somebody of John Moag’s character to join our team,” said Darryl Dunn, general manager of the Rose Bowl. “He’s done it. He’s proven. And we are motivated to solidify our stadium situation.”

Dunn has been in contact with league officials and said they have encouraged him to do everything he can to make the stadium NFL-ready. The Rose Bowl faces long odds, however, for a number of reasons, including limited freeway access, neighborhood concerns and no clear financing plan.