49ers co-Owner Eddie DeBartolo "only" will become the
Managing Owner of the team again "if he's willing to roll
over on his friend," former LA Gov. Edwin Edwards, in the LA
gambling probe, "and maybe not even then," according to
Glenn Dickey of the S.F. CHRONICLE. Sources still expect
DeBartolo to be indicted "unless he agrees to a deal in
which he would get immunity from prosecution in return for
telling everything he knows about Edwards' operation." But
Dickey writes, "Even that might not be enough" for him to
regain control of the 49ers because NFL Commissioner Paul
Tagliabue "also is concerned with DeBartolo's other gambling
connections, through his DeBartolo Entertainment Company."
According to NFL sources, Tagliabue "was close to telling
DeBartolo that he had to either give up that company or his
49ers control before the letter threatening indictment came
down in December." Tagliabue is "waiting first to hear what
happens" in LA before he decides whether DeBartolo or his
sister, Denise DeBartolo York, should run the 49ers. Dickey
writes that a DeBartolo return "would mean at least
temporary chaos," as he has reportedly told those close to
him that he would "fire key people in the front office,"
including Dir of Football Ops Dwight Clark. Dickey: "By
contrast, DeBartolo's sister is a good businesswoman who
makes rational decisions. Tagliabue will probably decide
that the 49ers are better served by reason than emotion. I
certainly think so" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 8/26).
