NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, in his own post-meeting
press conference, characterized Jones' deals as the start to
teams "cannibalizing and devouring each other" (FT. WORTH STAR-
TELEGRAM, 9/20). Richard Sandomir called Tagliabue's comments
"impassioned and irate" (N.Y. TIMES, 9/20). Tagliabue: "If you
don't see the big picture here, you don't know what is going on
in sports in America today. Just read about the pressures for
teams to move to big markets. Read about the problems with labor
peace. That's what this is about. It's not about soda pop and
cola and shoes and logos and dew rags and that stuff. It's about
servicing the fans in a high-class way with stability" ("Sports
Tonight," CNN, 9/19). More Tagliabue: "This attack on NFL
Properties is part of the pressure for teams to move, because if
everyone is going to do their own marketing, then everyone going
to try to move to the best markets" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 9/19).
FROM THE OLD SCHOOL: Saints Owner Tom Benson, on Jerry
Jones: "If he doesn't like the way we do things, why doesn't he
sell the team and get out?" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 9/20).
Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen said he hopes the dispute can be
settled, but he added, "My instincts tell me that the issues are
so fundamental that unless Jerry's prepared to back away from
most of the things that he wants to do, they're not going to get
solved between the owners" (WASHINGTON POST, 9/20). 49ers
President Carmen Policy: "I do feel that what is happening here
will have an impact on competitive balance, and I believe it will
have an impact in terms of the way the players' association views
extending our labor contract" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 9/19).
Falcons Owner Rankin Smith: "You never like a lawsuit, but in
this case there was no alternative" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 9/20).
Steelers Owner Dan Rooney: "The revenue sharing is our bedrock"
(ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 9/20). The Saints' Benson went on to
suggest that if Jones' deals go unchecked, others will seek out
similar financial windfalls. Benson: "You don't think San
Francisco is going to sit there very long, do you? And I'll
tell you what. New Orleans is not going to sit there very long
either" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 9/20).
