Ravens Owner Art Modell said that "he may contact" Bill
Cosby about "purchasing a share of the team," according to
Jon Morgan of the Baltimore SUN. Modell is looking to sell
20-30% of his franchise to pay down its debt, and Cosby is a
"friend who has expressed past interest in owning part of an
NFL franchise." While estimates have the 20-30% stake in
the team worth $100-150M, Modell said, "I will take less
money for the right man." Cosby has "appeared as a guest of
Modell's at a few Ravens games," and the two were introduced
by actor Jack Lemmon, a mutual friend (Baltimore SUN, 9/10).
HE CAN COPE: In DC, Thomas Heath profiles New Redskins
Exec VP David Cope, who is "viewed by many as one of the
most effective pro sports marketers in the country."
Observers "expect him to use his marketing and event
coordination skills" to make the game experience at Redskins
Stadium "more festive and squeeze more revenue from the
facility and team, which has been one of the most
undermarketed franchises in the NFL." Cope's "organization
skills and his prodigious energy have helped propel him to
the top of his profession" (WASHINGTON POST, 9/10).
DAWG POUNDS: Tickets for Sunday's Steelers-Browns game
are going for $300-600 each (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 9/10).
ELWAY PARTY: ABC will extend its usual 12-minute NFL
halftime to 19 minutes when the Broncos honor John Elway
during Monday's game against the Dolphins. Broncos Owner
Pat Bowlen hired NFL entertainment consultant Michael
Olmstead to handle the ceremony (DENVER POST, 9/9).
