Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones and the NFL "are very close
to dropping" their countersuits over marketing practices,
according to Richard Sandomir of the N.Y. TIMES. Although
the "war appears to be ending" both sides will "retain the
option to refile in the future." The NFL sued Jones last
February in Federal court for $750M, while Jones countersued
for $300M. The suits stemmed from Jones' signing sponsor
deals with non-NFL sponsors Nike, PepsiCo and AmEx. Jones
contends those deals are for sponsorship of Texas Stadium
and not the team. NFL Senior VP/Communications Joe Browne:
"Several owners believe we've accomplished what the
litigation set out to do, to get the Cowboys in line on
Properties and show licensees we are serious about our
rules." Browne said the signing of Nike as a licensee this
year and the "successful" debut of the Visa Cowboys affinity
card "have strengthened the league's hand as a marketing
force." The TIMES' Sandomir reports the Visa affinity card
has been "more" successful than AmEx's sponsorship of Texas
Stadium. But AmEx spokesperson Gail Wasserman notes that
the company is "happy with the sponsorship and has renewed
it" (N.Y. TIMES, 12/10).
MAMA, DON'T LET YOUR BABIES GROW UP TO BE COWBOYS:
Despite the Cowboys off-the-field woes, "companies that see
the team as a marketing vehicle aren't ready to write the
team off," according to Richard Alm of the DALLAS MORNING
NEWS. Nike said they don't plan any alterations to their
relationship with the team in the aftermath of the Michael
Irvin affair and Leon Lett's recent suspension by the
league. Nike spokesperson Erin Patton: "We're disturbed by
this series of incidents. But as Jerry pointed out, the
Cowboys are still showing up to play every week." But Alm
notes the team's "troubles might make it more difficult to
sign future corporate partners, especially if the team ...
begins to falter on the field" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 12/7).
A FRIEND IS A FRIEND: During Fox's coverage of the
Cowboys-Cardinals, Deion Sanders was shown wearing Lett's
No. 78 on his wrist and neckband. Fox's John Madden: "I
think that will probably bring a fine from the [NFL] ... At
some point you have to set an example. This is a league
where you don't do drugs and play. ... At some point, the
Cowboys are going to have to look at that" (Bob Raissman,
N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 12/10).
