Activist's request to block Super Bowl denied

A federal magistrate turned down a disabled activist's request Thursday to block the Super Bowl.

Beverly Walker had sought a federal court order to prevent San Diego from hosting the Jan. 26 NFL title game at Qualcomm Stadium unless the city complied with a 2001 settlement aimed at expanding access for the disabled at the arena.

Magistrate Judge Leo Papas spent five hours touring Qualcomm Stadium earlier Thursday and found that the city had made a major effort to comply with the settlement. While the job wasn't done, Papas said the full-time use of the stadium nine months a year made it difficult for the city to complete the work.

"Viewed in that context it makes it difficult for the city to finish," Papas said. "It's like a contractor trying to remodel while the homeowners are holding parties."

-- AP