Each of the three groups bidding for the NFL's 32nd
franchise met with members of the league's Finance Committee
yesterday for 30 minutes each, and each plan was "valued at
about" $1B, according to Rick Orlov of the L.A. DAILY NEWS.
Patriots Owner & Finance Committee Chair Robert Kraft: "This
is a big commitment of between $750 million and $1 billion.
The good news is whoever winds up with it, there will be a
passion for it." New Coliseum Partners' Eli Broad "has
drawn the most attention," as one NFL official said that his
presence in the group "solves a lot of problems that were
facing the Coliseum." Orlov writes that the bidders "came
away both confident ... but confused about when a decision
would be made" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 1/29). Kraft said that the
Finance Committee's decision on which group will be awarded
the franchise will come "no later than March 1" (HOUSTON
CHRONICLE, 1/29). In Houston, John Williams writes that the
two L.A. bidders "emerged confident they would get the nod"
over Houston for the team (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 1/29). In
L.A., T.J. Simers writes that NFL insiders said that the
"most likely winner" will be L.A., "but not necessarily" the
Michael Ovitz-led group or the New Coliseum Partners.
Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen: "I think we're more comfortable
now that this thing is going to happen there [in L.A.]."
Simers writes that the NFL is "seriously talking" about
awarding the franchise to L.A with conditions, which might
include "the league building the stadium and then selling it
to the highest bidder" (L.A. TIMES, 1/29). NFLPA Exec Dir
Gene Upshaw: "I have told this to (NFL Commissioner) Paul
Tagliabue. We want a team in Los Angeles playing in a new
stadium. The players want to see this happen and we are
willing to help" (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/29). In Minneapolis, Sid
Hartman writes that "word in Miami is that Houston will be
awarded an NFL expansion franchise" and Raiders Owner Al
Davis will then try to move his team back to L.A. if a new
stadium is built (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 1/29).
Meanwhile, Simers reports on "a tip" that the city of
Oakland "has expressed interest in settlement talks
regarding its lawsuit against the Raiders and the team's
countersuit," which would free the team from the final 11
years of its lease. NFL attorney Frank Rothman: "Haven't
heard about it and don't believe it" (L.A. TIMES, 1/29).
THE UNION'S GOOD AND WELFARE: In DC, Leonard Shapiro
writes that the NFLPA "estimated" the '99 salary cap would
increase $5M to $57.5M per team (WASHINGTON POST, 1/29). In
Boston, Will McDonough writes that the NFLPA "does not
approve" of the Patriots move to Hartford for the 2001
season. Upshaw said that losing a team from a Top 10 TV
market "hurts television and it hurts us." Upshaw: "If the
Patriots move to Hartford, we are going to look very close
at that (financial deal for owner Bob Kraft) and make sure
we get every cent coming to us" (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/29).
IS NFL GETTING BORING? The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Sam
Walker writes in a front-page feature that some observers
are describing the NFL "with words like frustrating,
predictable and, worst of all, boring." Walker: "There's a
disturbing trend lurking backstage. The National Football
League is starting to hear more boos lately." Though the
NFL sells about 90% of its tickets, attendance has "been
relatively flat this decade," with total attendance rising
"just" 6% from '90 to '97 (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 1/29).
RACE FACTOR: In N.Y., William Rhoden writes that the
NFL is "entangled by the same nagging issue that has plagued
the nation for the last 100 years: race, racism and an
African-American presence in a white power structure."
Despite "growing resentment and anger" among an "increasing
number of black players" over the NFL's lack of "black
presence on the field ... and front-office positions," the
players have remained "the silent majority" (N.Y. TIMES,
1/29). In Atlanta, Mark Bradley writes under the header,
"Blacks Still Hitting NFL Glass Ceiling" (1/29).
OLIVER! In N.Y., Richard Johnson writes that Oliver
Stone is in Miami filming "Any Given Sunday," and next week
plans to fill the Orange Bowl with extras to shoot game
footage. His budget has "nearly doubled" because the NFL
"won't help him with archival films" (N.Y. POST, 1/29).
