The NFL hopes a Bears-Steelers exhibition game this
week in Dublin, Ireland, will draw between 35,000-40,000,
according to Don Pierson of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. NFL Dir of
Int'l PR Pete Abitante said about 400 American corporations
with ties to Dublin "should help support the game." Pierson
added that after eight NFL exhibition games in London, "the
dwindling audience was tiring of games that didn't count and
suggested that the NFL would have to play regular-season
games if it expected to be taken seriously." But since
Bears-Steelers is the first game in Ireland, Abitante "said
overexposure is not a problem" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 7/20).
MARA-TIME: Giants co-Owner Wellington Mara was
interviewed by NEWSDAY's Bob Glauber, and discussed a number
of issues on the state of the league. Mara, on Cowboys
Owner Jerry Jones: "You can't knock the guy for trying to do
the best he can. But I think he may be grasping now that
when he hurts the league he hurts himself in the long run."
Mara, noting the number of teams asking for public
assistance for facility development: "Take the Super Bowl
scene. NFL Properties has two gigantic parties, we have the
Friday night (commissioner's) party. We have a huge display
before and during the game. And then in the next breath,
we're talking about how this team can't make it unless the
taxpayers come up with the money to build a new stadium.
It's almost like looking for a handout when you've got a
loaf of bread under each arm." Mara, on the NFL's future:
"[W]here this thing is heading is corporate ownership. I
can see lining up with the Murdoch's Marauders playing the
Turner's Terriers, which would be a shame" (NEWSDAY, 7/20).
OFF THE FIELD: In Miami, Barry Jackson wrote the NFL
faces four off-the-field issues that need to be addressed as
its starts a new season: No. 1 was the L.A. market and
Jackson wrote the NFL "knows it ultimately needs at least
one team in the nation's No. 2 media market." NBC Sports
President Dick Ebersol: "In the long run, it won't be a
healthy situation to not have football in the second-largest
market." Other issues facing the league: No. 2, filling the
Cleveland market; No. 3, the movement of teams from small-
to large-market cities, and No. 4, the seven teams with
stadium or lease issues (MIAMI HERALD, 7/20).
