NBC Sports Chair Dick Ebersol and Turner Sports
President Harvey Schiller have been "meeting weekly to
discuss" their new football league proposal, according to
USA TODAY's Gordon Forbes. Likely franchises include L.A.,
New York, Chicago, Houston, Orlando, Philadelphia, Atlanta,
S.F., Charlotte, Salt Lake City, San Antonio and Miami.
Forbes writes that NBC and Turner "should follow the basic
USFL script, operating as a spring league for three seasons
to establish an identity," and sign young talent to promote
with "prime-time promos" and then, after three seasons,
announce a "triumphant move to the fall" (USA TODAY, 6/29).
In N.Y., Bob Raissman wrote that NFL "moles" report that
league Commissioner Paul Tagliabue is "fuming over" NBA
Commissioner David Stern's support for the NBC/Turner
league. Raissman: "Look for an all out war to break out
between the two commissioners" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/28).
CHICAGO SUIT AGAINST THE NFL? In Chicago, Michael Sneed
wrote, "Watch for an antitrust suit against the [NFL] to be
filed in federal court this week." Sources say the suit
will be brought by attorney David Pasulka, "on behalf of the
Chicago Bulldogs, an organization dedicated to bringing a
second football team" to Chicago (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 6/28).
