The NFL and Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones officially agreed
on Friday to drop lawsuits filed against each other, ending
a dispute over corporate sponsorships, according to David
Markiewicz of the FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM. Last year, the
NFL filed a $300M lawsuit alleging Jones violated NFL
sponsorship rules with his deals to sponsor Texas Stadium
with non-NFL sponsors, Nike, PepsiCo, AmEx and Dr Pepper.
Jones countersued for $750M. The settlement allows Jones to
"continue his lucrative corporate sponsorship deals."
Jones: "The league has recognized that Texas Stadium can
market itself consistent with league rules and policies."
NFL Properties Dir of Communications Chris Widmaier: "There
is a clearer understanding of the difference between stadium
and team sponsorships now, and also the understanding that
the league will protect its sponsors" (FT. WORTH STAR-
TELEGRAM, 12/14). A financial transaction was not part of
the settlement, according to Richard Alm of the DALLAS
MORNING NEWS, who notes, "What was once an incendiary test
of wills between Mr. Jones and NFL Commissioner Paul
Tagliabue has fizzled into a vague compromise" (DALLAS
MORNING NEWS, 12/14). Jones told the N.Y. TIMES that, "In
general, we're still not on the same page." Issues still to
be resolved are "kind of like states rights versus the
central government" (N.Y. TIMES, 12/14).
WINNERS, LOSERS: Some feel the settlement is a win for
Jones because he can keep his deals "and he's free to
continue his aggressive selling." Strategic Marketing
Associates Chair Rick White said Jones came out the winner
(Richard Alm, DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 12/14). White noted
other NFL owners have established similar deals to Jones:
"You can't sue Jerry Jones just because he's more
bombastic." Williams & Connolly attorney Mark Levinstein:
"Now the league's got egg on its face. But Jerry let them
off easy by calling this a victory for everybody." Dick
Cass, attorney for Jones and Texas Stadium: "We tried very
hard to avoid violating NFL rules when we set up these deals
... The decision to drop the lawsuit is acknowledgement that
there is no violation." Jones: "One of the things I
regretted most was that [I] was portrayed as not for the
league or our partners. ... I'm a team player" (FT. WORTH
STAR-TELEGRAM, 12/14). In San Antonio, Dan Cook notes the
NFL's decision "wasn't exactly a surrender cry of 'uncle,'
but it was mighty close" (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 12/14).
WELCOME ABOARD: ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported that
Jones will sit "on a newly formed, long-range planning
committee -- a think tank of the league's brightest owners
and executives -- that will address several major issues,"
including cross-ownership" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 12/15).
