"Tired of being sued by members of its ownership
group," the NFL is "expected to soon adopt a rule that makes
any owner who sues the league responsible for all legal fees
should that owner lose the lawsuit," according to Mike
Freeman of the N.Y. TIMES. Owners debated the issue at the
league meetings in San Diego and "will probably vote on the
referendum at the next meetings in October." Several owners
told Freeman "that there is little doubt that the new rule
will pass and that the only reason it was not passed today
was because leading owners, like Miami's Wayne Huizenga,
Dallas's Jerry Jones and several others were not present."
Freeman adds that this would be "a historic move" for the
NFL but "not an unprecedented one in professional sports,"
as the NHL, NBA and MLB "all possess similar rules."
Freeman: "The impetus for the new rule is the N.F.L.'s
weariness and frustration over being sued by owners such as
Jones and Al Davis of Oakland. ... some owners feel this
rule is their only recourse to keep them under control"
(Mike Freeman, N.Y. TIMES, 5/22).
L.A. STORY: Ravens Owner Art Modell apologized to L.A.
City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas for his remarks over the
conditions at the L.A. Coliseum, according to T.J. Simers of
the L.A. TIMES. Simers: "The NFL owners adjourned three
days of meetings and resolved to study the Coliseum further,
but for now, they are more interested in next month's
referendums for new stadiums in San Francisco and Seattle"
(L.A. TIMES, 5/22). USA TODAY's Jarrett Bell notes despite
the emergence of NHL Kings Owners Edward Roski Jr. and
Philip Anschutz "to purchase a team and largely finance a
renovated stadium, the NFL is proceeding with caution. ... A
big hurdle in the Coliseum plan is image" (USA TODAY, 5/22).
NOTES: The NFL scouting combine will "experience a
gradual scheduling change," as it will be moved back later
in the calendar starting in '99 from its current date of
early-February (Mike Chappell, INDIANAPOLIS STAR-NEWS,
5/22)....NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, on Orlando, FL,
and its bid for the Pro Bowl: "I think some type of rotation
might evolve" (Mike Chappell, INDIANAPOLIS STAR-NEWS, 5/22).
...The league will also "restructure its officiating
department by creating regional centers in which officials
can be schooled. Currently, the supervision of officials is
conducted in New York City" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 5/22).
