NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue is interviewed in the
current issue of BUSINESS WEEK and discusses the state of
the NFL. Tagliabue, on what doomed L.A.'s expansion bid: "A
combination of political competition ... and economics. ...
The business community just never got interested." On the
escalating price for NFL franchises: "We're all the
beneficiaries of the economy generally. ... That's one of
the big advantages of low interest rates." On allowing
individual teams more freedom to pursue their own marketing
deals: "If you take all the marketing opportunities and
throw them back to the teams, it has a huge impact on
(individual teams') ability to get players. ... If you break
up the marketing on the national level, the endorsement
money that is out there now becomes a recruiting tool." On
if the NFL has its sights set on a TV network similar to the
recently announced NBAcom.TV plans: "The question is: Why
restructure if you have the networks paying a premium (for
NFL games)? I would not as a business want to have the risk
they have been willing to take in recent years. ... A lot of
times you're better off sticking to your knitting and being
a rights provider and a licensor." If the Raiders will be
welcomed if they move to L.A.: "Most of the public says,
hell, no. I guess there are some people who feel that Al
Davis is now at the end of his life, and it seems like the
Raiders are going to be the Raiders without Al Davis. That's
more palatable to some people" (BUSINESS WEEK, 10/25 issue).
RAIDERS' RETURN CONTINGENT ON SUITS: In CA, Bonita
Brewer reported that whether the Raiders stay in Oakland or
return to L.A. "could hinge on the outcome of two bitterly
contested lawsuits and on just how desperate L.A. is for a
team." Davis' two lawsuits -- one against Oakland and
Alameda County and one against the NFL over Hollywood Park
and the L.A. market -- are "expected to go to trial in the
spring." The Oakland case will be heard in Sacramento
County to "help ensure a neutral jury." The NFL case will
be heard in L.A. County. Oakland and Alameda County
attorney Jim Brosnahan has subpoenaed Cowboys Owner Jerry
Jones to question him "about public statements he made last
week indicating Davis may be talking with L.A. officials
about a return." Brosnahan said it is "a violation of the
Raiders' lease to even discuss a move" (C.C. TIMES, 10/17).
CAN JONES BEAT THE SYSTEM? Jones, on the parity in the
NFL: "The TV ratings are up this season, so that shows we
are putting the right product on the field." Asked about
the quality of play, Jones said, "Well, it's interesting."
Jones: "For me, I'd like to see the teams that work the
hardest in all areas, end up with the advantages. But we've
had a system in place for many years in the NFL which
promotes the concept of parity. What that does is challenge
people like me to earn their keep by continually trying to
find ways to separate from the others. There are six or
seven clubs in the league who are dedicated to that process"
(FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 10/17).
