The NFL holds an "unscheduled" meeting in Atlanta tomorrow
to discuss the issue of Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones, the deals he
has made with Nike and Pepsi, "and his desire to break away from
NFL Properties." Gary Myers reports that, "at some point, Jones
will be asked to leave the room" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 9/17). In
Atlanta, Len Pasquarelli reports the rumor is Jones will announce
his latest marketing deal -- with American Express -- while in
Atlanta to coincide with the owners meeting (ATLANTA
CONSTITUTION, 9/17). Visa has an exclusive deal with NFL
Properties.
WHAT ELSE LOOMS? U.S. NEWS notes that Jones "hopes" to put
the Nike swoosh or the Pepsi symbol on the Cowboys' uniforms.
But Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen notes the potential problems, citing
the fact the league's TV contract is dependent on companies such
as Nike and Pepsi buying time on network coverage. Bowlen:
"What Jerry wants to do is incompatible with our advertising
strategy. Why would Coke pay $300,000 a minute for advertising,
when Pepsi is seen for the entire game on the Dallas jerseys?
We're not going to ambush our on-air advertisers by having each
team trying to get the best deal for itself" (U.S. NEWS, 9/25
issue). Columnist Jim Reeves notes that the Cowboy cheerleaders
aren't covered by NFL Properties and asks, "What's next? The
'Swoosh' on the tush?" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 9/17).
MORE VIEWS: Former NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle: "Our
league has been built on owners and the league working together,
with a minimum amount of divisiveness. ... I don't see it doing
any good" (Will McDonough, BOSTON GLOBE, 9/17). Nye Lavalle, of
Sports Marketing Group: "What this whole situation creates is
sponsor skepticism" (Andrew Gottesman, CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 9/17).
The WASHINGTON POST profiled Jones and his business approach in a
two-part series which began with a front-page piece Sunday
(WASHINGTON POST, 9/17-18).
OTHER NFL ISSUES: Owners will also discuss the latest
lawsuit against the Raiders in Atlanta (Gary Myers, N.Y. DAILY
NEWS, 9/18). In Clemson for the Panthers' inaugural home opener,
NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said he expected no problems with
the Rams' relocation fee. However in St. Louis, Lorraine Kee
notes that the team is yet to pay that fee, while they have
handed over a portion of PSL money. Rams President John Shaw, on
the November due date: "We'll assess all of our options before
we have to make a payment" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 9/18). On
ESPN's "NFL GameDay," Mark Schwartz examined the issue of
artificial turf in the NFL. A survey conducted by the NFLPA
shows 93.4% of players said turf is more likely to contribute to
injury, 91.5% think turf is more likely to shorten a career, and
89.8% think it is more likely to worsen quality of life after
football. Agent Leigh Steinberg: "Every football player I have
ever represented believes that artificial turf causes injuries
that do not happen on grass." Giants GM George Young: "If
someone wants to argue or discuss things with me they have to do
it with facts and the facts show it is pretty much a tie on this
thing" (ESPN, 9/17).
