RAIDERS' WEB ANNOUNCEMENTS LEAVING MEDIA "OUT OF THE LOOP"

          The Raiders "intentionally bypassed the normal
     procedure of first releasing" news to reporters, when they
     posted a statement on their Web site, www.raiders.com, on
     May 28 that fans "should expect a major announcement" on the
     site the next day, according to Jay Glazer of the N.Y. POST. 
     The announcement, which was the signing of LB Pat Swilling,
     opened "several issues of uncharted areas," including what
     Glazer called "the most serious" -- the effect on the media,
     who were "cut out of the loop."  Although the NFL did not
     have a statement about the Raiders' move, league officials
     "are aware of the situation but do not believe many teams
     will follow Oakland's lead."  Raiders Dir of PR Mike Taylor
     "would not discount future news releases exclusive to their
     site."  Taylor: "It certainly makes the Web site more
     popular, doesn't it?" (Jay Glazer, N.Y. POST, 6/21).