In L.A., T.J. Simers wrote on the open L.A. market and
noted that in two weeks, L.A. leaders will meet with NFL
owners, "hoping to learn what [L.A.] must do to win NFL
favor." Simers: "[T]he NFL is expected to come down hard on
the new Coliseum proposal in Washington, demanding a better
financing plan while subtly shifting its attention to
Hollywood Park because of Los Angeles' inability to reach a
political consensus on the arena deal" (L.A. TIMES, 9/27).
OILERS: ESPN's Gary Miller: "Oilers Owner Bud Adams has
informed the [NFL] he may be running out of money. Adams
had set up a special fund to cover payments to visiting
teams, a fund which may be depleted before Adams' obligation
expires after next season" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 9/28).
LEGAL-EZE: Vikings President Roger Headrick told Sid
Hartman of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE that there could be
a football strike in '98 because "too many teams are losing
money and the current [CBA] has been great for the players
but not good for several owners who are having a hard time
financially" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 9/29).
ON TV: NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue made a cameo on
the set of the "NFL on NBC" pregame show Sunday. After NBC
played a tape of Mike Ditka joking that the Saints' first
three losses shouldn't be counted, Tagliabue walked on and
said: "Well, we looked at those three Saints games this week
on instant replay, and on further review, guess what? The
results stand" ("NFL on NBC," 9/28).
