In Philadelphia, Don Reid writes that by allowing the Browns
to move without expressly holding them to the league's relocation
guidelines, the NFL "probably assured itself of several costly
legal battles of the sort it routinely loses." Raiders Owner Al
Davis: "I think there's no question it's discriminatory and
selective as to who gets what -- and who gets what they want --
when it comes to doing things in our league" (PHILA. INQUIRER,
2/20).
THE GREEN BAY MODEL: Houston-based computer exec John Jay
Moores, owner of the Padres, wants to bring football back to
Houston after the Oilers leave, and is looking at the Packers'
public-ownership model. Moores wants NFL permission to issue
stock for the team. Tulane Law Prof. Gary Roberts explains that
the league banned public ownership (the Packers are
grandfathered) in order to have a "homogenous group" without
"factions." But Roberts adds, "With the advent of owners like
Jerry Jones, I don't know that the kind of homogeneity that is
desired hasn't already been lost" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 2/20).
