Redskins bidder Sam Grossman "has an agreement from
former coach Joe Gibbs to accept a stake in the ownership
and a supervisory role with the team if Grossman's efforts
are successful," according to Thomas Heath of the WASHINGTON
POST. Grossman, who bid $600M to buy the team and Jack Kent
Cooke Stadium from the estate of the late owner, "finalized"
negotiations with Gibbs last night after "many weeks" of
talks. Gibbs will "reportedly" be allowed "to continue the
operation of his NASCAR racing team and his motivational
speaking," but Grossman "would want Gibbs to be in charge of
football operations," such as planning the team's long-term
strategy, making coaching and player personnel decisions and
handling stadium operations. It is "believed" that Grossman
has offered Gibbs "substantial equity" in the franchise. In
addition to Grossman, "at least" two other potential
ownership groups, one headed by Orioles Owner Peter Angelos,
"have expressed interest" in Gibbs (WASHINGTON POST, 12/10).
IF YOU CAN'T BEAT 'EM: Democratic fund-raiser Nathan
Landow and N.Y. real estate exec Andrew Penson, whose $450M
bid for the Redskins and the stadium failed to make the cut,
are now "fielding offers to join two other groups still in
the bidding" for the team, according to Eric Fisher of the
WASHINGTON TIMES. Though Landow did not reveal the groups,
he "spoke at length" about the quality of bids submitted by
Angelos and Grossman, saying, "I think those two would be
key players in the final analysis" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 12/9).
