NO COO SEARCH FOR 49ERS: 49ers GM Bill Walsh said that
team has "no intention" of hiring a COO, as NFL Commissioner
Paul Tagliabue mentioned on January 29. Walsh: "I don't
think you'll see that." One club exec said Walsh "is the
chief executive officer" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 2/18).
NOTES: In Toronto, Bob Elliott reports that the Blue
Jays have a clause in their new SkyDome lease allowing them
to relocate the franchise by paying "a minimal sum" of
C$500,000 for each of the remaining years on the 10-year
lease (TORONTO SUN, 2/18)....In Charlotte, Tom Sorensen
writes that Hornets Owner George Shinn is "not about to sell
his basketball team," noting that "the team is not
Charlotte's. It is Shinn's." Sorensen: "A man doesn't have
to be smart to become a self-made millionaire, but he has to
be stubborn enough not to succumb to pressure. Shinn is"
(CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 2/18)....A WASHINGTON POST editorial
calls the delayed sale of the Redskins to the Milstein-
Snyder group "a gross imposition" on Redskins fans. From
the editorial: "Whatever the NFL is going to do ... the
important thing is that it be done soon, fairly and for
reasons that stand up to public scrutiny" (WASHINGTON POST,
2/18)....In Hartford, Greg Garber reports that "several
league sources" said a relocation fee "will not be imposed"
on the Patriots for moving out of MA. The Patriots "say
they have been told that no fee likely will be required."
One team exec: "The name, New England Patriots, isn't
changing. That's the key issue. We're not really moving
from one territory to another" (HARTFORD COURANT, 2/18).
....D'Backs Manager Buck Showalter "confirmed" that the
organization would change its policy on facial hair for the
upcoming season (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 2/18)....The IBL and NRL
are profiled in the BALTIMORE BUSINESS JOURNAL and Donna De
Marco reports that the NRL Blaze, which launched an IPO
February 8, is looking to raise $890,000, with shares at $5
each (BALTIMORE BUSINESS JOURNAL, 2/15 issue)....In L.A.,
Howard Beck reports that Dennis Rodman "is expected" to sign
a contract with the Lakers today (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 2/18).
Rodman has referred all questions to his sister Debra, his
new business advisor (SUN-TIMES, 2/18)....Mavs coach Don
Nelson, on the team's future: "We like a lot of the pieces
that we have now. We drafted a young German named Nowitzki,
who we think is going to be a very, very fine player.
Unfortunately, you know, he's just starting to grow pubic
hair. He just needs a lot of games" ("Up Close," 2/17).
