NFL: 49ers Dir of Football Operations Dwight Clark will
join the Browns as GM, and in S.F., Ray Ratto wrote that the
move leads "inexorably to [49ers co-Owner] Eddie DeBartolo's
return" to the team (S.F. EXAMINER, 11/29). If the NFL
reinstates DeBartolo, he "might well appoint himself as team
president." Clark, on DeBartolo: "He really wants to get
back involved. He's been president before. He wants to be
involved at a higher level" (S.F. EXAMINER, 11/29).
MLB: The Mets reached a settlement with a former
employee who had threatened a lawsuit against GM Steve
Phillips and the team. Terms were not disclosed, but
sources said the employee was seeking $2M (NEWSDAY, 11/26).
...In L.A., J.A. Adande wrote that despite dropping plans
for ESPN West, Disney "just lobbed a grenade over at Fox"
when the Angels signed Mo Vaughn. Adande: "Mo-mentum just
switched back to the Mouse" (L.A. TIMES, 11/26). Angels
manager Terry Collins, on Vaughn: "I think that gives our
organization -- and Disney -- tremendous credibility within
our industry" (L.A. TIMES, 11/29)....One NL exec, on the Red
Sox's signing Jose Offerman to a four-year, $26M contract:
"There is no accountability there. They have no owner
there. It's a trust" (N.Y. TIMES, 11/29).
NOTES: U2's Bono has joined a group to buy Celtic of
the Scottish Premier League, and reports have him looking to
convince Blazers/Seahawks Owner Paul Allen to also invest in
the team (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 11/30)....The release of NHL
expansion Thrashers jerseys are being delayed as the team is
having trouble finding a manufacturer "who can get the dark
blue and copper colors right." The jerseys are expected to
be released in January (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 11/29)....The
Penguins will shortly announce a new corporate sponsor for
the team and a renegotiated TV rights deal with Fox Sports
Pittsburgh, whose deal will be extended four years, giving
the team "at least" $3M more per year (POST-GAZETTE, 11/28).
