49ers co-Owner Eddie DeBartolo is "close to an
agreement to gain control of the 49ers from his sister,
Denise DeBartolo York, within three weeks," three "highly
placed" NFL sources familiar with the negotiations tell Sam
Farmer of the SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS. Farmer: "If
successful, DeBartolo plans to walk away from the team's
$525 million stadium/mall deal in San Francisco with the
belief that the 49ers are more valuable without it."
Sources say that DeBartolo is "expected to swap his holdings
in the family business for DeBartolo York's share of the
team." Yesterday it was announced that DeBartolo resigned
his position on the board of the Simon DeBartolo Corp. to
pursue "other interests." But DeBartolo's bid could still
face obstacles as long as he's a target of a federal probe
into the awarding of a LA gaming license. One league
source: "He'd have a hell of a time getting 23 owners to
approve (a transfer)." But the source added that DeBartolo
would likely be approved if "the threat of indictment
passes" (MERCURY NEWS, 3/26). NFL Commissioner Paul
Tagliabue said yesterday there was a chance that DeBartolo
and his sister might be able to settle their feud soon, "but
admitted he had no specific information that it was about to
happen." He said there have been "internal discussions"
within the DeBartolo family and corporation, and he "takes
that as a hopeful sign for settlement." Tagliabue: "It's
either going to be settled (soon), or we'll know it's not
going to be settled for this year" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 3/26).
