In his Sunday column, Will McDonough of the BOSTON GLOBE
examines legislation passed in the U.S. House Judiciary
Subcommittee last week on franchise relocation. U.S. Rep. Marty
Meehan of MA told McDonough he believes the bill will pass, but
not in its current condition. Meehan, noting a John Glenn-
sponsored bill in the Senate offers the antitrust help the NFL
has sought: "Then the league could vote against some of these
franchise-relocation moves without fear of losing money if they
are taken to court by some team trying to move. The league will
have protection from the bill." McDonough notes the House bill
may affect the NFL ownership meeting set for tomorrow to vote on
the Oilers-to-Nashville, as "some owners might decide to wait and
see what happens rather than upset some of the leaders in
Congress" (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/28).
GREASED SKIDS FOR OILERS? In Baltimore, Vito Stellino
writes NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue will likely issue a report
at the meeting recommending an Oilers move. But he adds Rams
officials will read the report "carefully," as it is expected to
give St Louis "more ammunition in its fight to avoid paying" a
$29M relocation fee to the league. If St. Louis is successful,
Ravens Owner Art Modell probably won't have to pay the fee either
(Baltimore SUN, 4/28).
NEWS & NOTES: The NFL has agreed to lease the Browns
practice facility for clinics and youth football. ESPN's Kenny
Mayne noted if this deal had not been cut, the city would "likely
have gone after" the Ravens to retire a $10M construction debt on
the facility ("SportsCenter," 4/26). ....Packers Coach Mike
Holmgren, questioning NFL schedule-maker Val Pinchbeck on his
formula: "Why do some teams have to play 10 years in a row at
some places? How does that happen? I understand the who-you-
play part. But what about the where-you-play?" The Packers will
visit Texas Stadium for the sixth consecutive time (DALLAS
MORNING NEWS, 4/28).
