Several Cowboys players face potential legal problems over
their agreements to appear at a card show organized by convicted
felon Michael Bertolini, according to ESPN's "Cover Story" as
reported by Sal Paolantonio. Bertolini, who will enter prison
March 15 and serve a 14-month concurrent term for tax fraud
related to sports memorabilia shows and assault, plans to stage
"one last, massive show" in February with half of the Cowboys
team, including Emmitt Smith and Troy Aikman." Paolantonio said
authorities call Bertolini is a "career criminal" who has a "long
connection to illegal gambling on pro sports." Any active NFL
players who take part in his show next month "may be in violation
of the standard contract signed by all NFL players." Offenders
may be fined, suspended or thrown out of the league by the
commissioner. NFL General Counsel Jay Moyer: "It's his record
of heavy involvement in illegal sports gambling that is of
concern to us from the standpoint of having our players
associated with a person with that background. ... We plan to
inform the players of this information." Emmitt Smith: "If the
NFL tells me not to do the show, then I'm not doing the show.
Period. But if they don't tell me not to do the show, I'm going
to honor my commitment" ("SportsCenter," 1/25).
