As Barry Sanders announced his retirement from football
yesterday, Lions VP/Sales Bill Keenist said the team had
heard from only "a couple" of season-ticket holders about
cancelling their ticket plans, according to Yerak & Wisely
of the DETROIT NEWS. Meanwhile, Marx Layne Marketing Senior
Account Exec Robert Miller speculated on how Sanders'
retirement will impact his marketability: "He didn't have
the greatest number of endorsements to begin with, and that
he's leaving under less-than-ideal circumstances will affect
his appeal to companies" (DETROIT NEWS, 7/29).
WILL THE LEAGUE DO ANYTHING? Bills Owner Ralph Wilson,
on the league altering the salary cap rules, making it
easier for the Lions to possibly trade Sanders: "No. I
think that's between the club and the player. I don't think
the NFL should get involved in that." NFL Commissioner Paul
Tagliabue: "I don't see why Barry Sanders is any different
from everybody else under the cap or why the Lions are any
different from anybody under the cap." ESPN's John Clayton,
on the league intervening: "The league is not going to do
anything to accommodate Barry Sanders if he wants to go
elsewhere in a trade" ("SportsCenter," 7/28). Sanders'
agent David Ware, on Sanders owing the team bonus money:
"The issue of whether or not Barry owes them any money is
one that remains to be seen. The Lions have not made a
demand on us for any amount at this point" (ESPN, 7/28).
