Bruins Owner & Delaware North Chair Jeremy Jacobs "is
vying" to own the new Browns, according to Gregg Krupa of
the BOSTON GLOBE. Sources said that Jacobs has notified the
NFL of his interest by letter and met with Commissioner Paul
Tagliabue "once or twice to discuss it." Jacobs "is
expected to be among several groups of prospective Browns
owners who will make presentations to the other NFL owners
beginning Wednesday in Atlanta." Delaware North
spokesperson Brenda Fullmer wouldn't comment on Jacobs' bid
other than to say, "I really don't know what Mr. Jacobs is
doing in this regard." Jacobs attempted to buy the Patriots
in '74 and '93. One "prominent" person in the Boston sports
scene said of Jacobs' interest in the Browns: "He's really
gone after it" (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/15). In N.Y., Mike Freeman
wrote that Jacobs' "net worth is estimated at some" $600M
and that NFL execs said he "seems to be willing to spend
what it takes to get the Browns" (N.Y. TIMES, 8/16).
SHOW AND NO TELL: In Cleveland, Tony Grossi detailed
elements of the bidding process for the Browns in Atlanta,
although an "official gag order is in effect." Larry Dolan:
"They're very strict about not talking to the press. They
want silence, and that's what we're going to give them."
Applicants will have 20 minutes each to present themselves,
followed by a 10-minute Q&A session. Bid groups also may
visit the NFL's "data room," which is "sort of a library
containing all the classified league information." Grossi
reported that candidates "will be given copies of the
stadium lease and city obligations. But they cannot take
the league material with them, or make copies. They're not
even allowed to take detailed notes".... NFL VP/
Communications Greg Aiello said that Browns bidder Howard
Milstein's use of the official team logo and "Countdown to
'99" logos on his Web site "is an issue" with the league.
Aiello: "We just became aware of it and we're looking into
it"....Carmen Policy "said a report in USA Today that he and
Al Lerner would not appear at the presentation meeting was
incorrect" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 8/16).
