USC open to modifying LA Coliseum name change

United Airlines offered Friday to withdraw from a $69m deal to put its name on Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum following criticism that it would disrespect the stadium's history of honoring troops who fought and died in World War I. The airline made the offer to the University of Southern California, which announced the agreement for the naming rights last year as part of its $270m renovation of the nearly century-old landmark. The planned name, United Airlines Memorial Coliseum, drew blowback from some veterans and a key official this week. United Airlines California President Janet Lamkin said in a letter to USC official Todd Dickey that the company made "a significant commitment to financing this project" in exchange for the naming rights and was careful to keep the words "Memorial Coliseum" to honor the memory of veterans. "If USC is not in a position to honor the terms of the agreement, including in particular the name change, United would be amenable to abiding by the wishes of the community, stepping away from this partnership with USC, and mutually terminating the agreement," Lamkin wrote. USC quickly responded that it would be open to "accepting the wishes of the veteran community to modify the proposed naming agreement to United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum." The university said the airline would have to agree and the deal would have to be changed, but it didn't provide details.<br/>