49ers co-Owner Eddie DeBartolo's "close friends and
associates" said that his intentions are to return to the
team, keep them in San Francisco and build a new stadium at
Candlestick Point, according to Matier & Ross of the S.F.
CHRONICLE. This comes after he allegedly testified in front
of a LA federal grand jury about why he made a $400,000
payment to former LA Gov. Edwin Edwards in '97. According
to a source, Edwards told DeBartolo that his application for
a gaming license was in "serious jeopardy" unless he "came
up with $400,000 quickly," and a source says DeBartolo "was
just getting the guy off his back." But Edwards' attorney
Michael Fawer called the claim "pure nonsense." Sources say
DeBartolo "hopes to conclude a deal" to buy his sister's
share of the team in exchange for "his rights to the rest of
the family's corporate holdings." But the league must
approve his return, and they also must vote on ownership
transfer. Friends say that DeBartolo won't do anything "to
disrupt the team" or make any moves "until after the current
football season" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 9/26). NFL Senior VP/
Communications Joe Browne said that DeBartolo, "doesn't have
an active role in running the team right now. If he wants
to get back in as the operating head, it will depend on the
charges and how he pleads" (BOSTON GLOBE, 9/27).
