NBC's Will McDonough reports if NFL owners voted today on
the Browns' move to Baltimore, "the answer would be no."
McDonough's poll -- AGAINST: Buffalo, Chicago, Denver,
Minnesota, New England, Pittsburgh, Washington. Eight votes
against would beat the move. ABSTAINING: Oakland, S.F.
UNDECIDED: Atlanta, Carolina, Detroit, Jacksonville, K.C.,
Miami, N.Y. Jets, Philadelphia. McDonough: "However, in the
end, if [Browns Owner Art Modell] does not [get the vote], I
think he will sue the league, as will the state of Maryland. And
through the courts, they still will be able to move" ("NFL Live,"
11/19). In his BOSTON GLOBE column, McDonough quotes Broncos
Owner Pat Bowlen, who proposes owners vote first on whether to
endure an antitrust lawsuit should they reject the move. Bowlen:
"The question should be posed so that we need the majority, 23,
not the minority of eight, making the decision that could prove
so costly." Bills Owner Ralph Wilson, noting the Rams: "The
same thing will happen. The lawyers will come in and tell us
we'd be crazy, and that will be it" (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/19).
WEEKEND TID-BITS: In Minneapolis, Curt Brown notes talks on
a new CBA with the players have "broken off" with the NFLPA
"justifiably irked" over players' salaries being blamed for
franchise instability. Brown: "Look for a strike in 1999"
(Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 11/18). The two guests in Bowlen's
Mile High Stadium box for the Chargers game Sunday: NFL
Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and Nike Chair Phil Knight (Colorado
Springs GAZETTE-TELEGRAPH, 11/20).
