Newport Beach: An athlete’s haven

Greg Risling

Some of the most famous and recognized faces in the country have homes in

Newport Beach. Most anyone you ask here can recite the list of usual

suspects: author Dean Koontz, comedian and Rat-Packer Joey Bishop,

actress Heather Locklear and members of the band Sugar Ray.

Newport Beach ranks high on any multimillionaire’s list, whether it’s for

a luxurious home or a slip to dock a boat.

Is it any wonder then that athletes, whose salaries have skyrocketed over

the past 20 years, have chosen Newport as their personal playground?

Scores of athletes -- active and retired -- have either purchased

property here, thought about relocating here or visit Newport regularly.

“It’s ridiculous how many people want to live here,” said Steve Mitchell,

a senior sales executive for Coast Newport Properties. “It’s the quality

of lifestyle people are paying for. The demand definitely outweighs the

supply.”

While Hollywood has its Walk of Fame, mammoth movie studios and trendy

hot spots where you can see a slew of stars, Newport Beach is a sports

fan’s glimmering oasis.

You enjoy dropping names? Here are a few you can claim are your neighbors

at that next dinner conversation:

Bad boy Dennis Rodman, who was recently signed -- and dropped -- by the

Dallas Mavericks, lives in West Newport. Baseball slugger Mo Vaughn of

the Anaheim Angels has an opulent home in Newport Heights. Pro football

defensive back Jason Seahorn, who played college ball at USC, bought a

home in Newport Coast.

Want some more? Famed New York Yankee Reggie Jackson has one of his homes

on Bayside Cove. Former UCLA football coach Terry Donahue can be seen

strolling along the Bayfront on Balboa Island. Former Angel and newly

signed Cleveland Indian Chuck Finley has one home in Belcourt and is

building another in Newport Coast.

Still not impressed? Tennis star Lindsay Davenport calls Newport Beach

home. Anaheim Ducks center Steve Rucchin lives in Corona del Mar. Home

run slugger Mark McGwire shops at Fashion Island.

McGwire doesn’t live in Newport, opting instead for Huntington Harbour.

Not everyone can stay in Newport forever.

Take Orange County native and newly signed Los Angeles Dodger Shawn

Green. He spent his offseasons at his West Newport home while he was a

member of the Toronto Blue Jays. But his palatial oceanfront home is now

up for sale. Asking price is about $1.6 million.

Mitchell, who is Green’s real estate agent, said his client wanted to be

closer to Dodger Stadium and bought a home in Pacific Palisades for $3.7

million.

“He didn’t really like where he was living,” Mitchell said. “It’s a young

crowd down there and Shawn was growing out of that. He looked at Lido

Isle but decided on a home up

north.”

Newport also appeals to athletes because of its proximity to Los Angeles,

the entertainment capital of the world. They are expected to shoot

commercials, appear on radio talk shows and sign books.

“Athletes want that proximity to Los Angeles without all the urban

crowding,” said sports and entertainment superagent Leigh Steinberg,

whose office is in Newport Beach.

Steinberg should know, considering his list of endorsement-friendly

clients, such as NFL quarterbacks Mark Brunell and Drew Bledsoe.

Traveling to Orange County also has had some athletes dreaming of the

California coast when their careers are finished.

“Steve Young, Troy Aikman, and Warren Moon have all expressed interest

about living here,” Steinberg said. “Some of these guys are frightened

off by the high expense of living here. I know it sounds strange, given

some of their salaries. But the competition is fierce here in Newport.

There are a lot of people, even from different countries, looking to buy

here.”

Newport has its share of competition. Laguna Beach would probably be more

in demand, but there are only two roads leading into town, making access

difficult. Dana Point is home to southpaw pitcher Randy Johnson, but he

plays in Arizona and he was looking for an oceanfront home.

Aside from its location, Newport has plenty to offer: fine dining,

spacious beaches and panoramic ocean views. Perhaps most important is

privacy. With so many celebrity types living in one area, no one is

really interested in bothering others.

“It’s an area you can live in private without being disturbed on a daily

basis,” said Brian Foxcroft. “There are a lot of people with new money

moving here. It’s one of the best places you can possibly live.”