Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones says that he "is pleased"
with the NFL's recent sponsorship deal with Coca-Cola,
saying that it will "pump more money" into league, according
to Richard Alm of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. While the
national deal is reportedly worth more than $4M a year -- a
"big decline" from the reported $14M that the previous deal
was worth, Jones said he envisions the soft drink category
being worth $60-70M, with each team selling its local rights
for $1.5-2M each. The Coca-Cola deal "provides a bonus" for
Texas Stadium partners Pepsi and Dr Pepper, which can now
use the Cowboys' marks and logos in advertising. But Coca-
Cola "may have to get by without a direct Cowboys identity."
Coca-Cola North Texas Division VP & GM Johnnie Blankenship:
"We're still trying to assess what we can do. There are
usually other ways to do things." The local Coca-Cola
bottler "intends to continue pitching the Cowboys," using QB
Troy Aikman and RB Emmitt Smith, who recently signed two-
year contract extensions (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 6/14).
