A "source close" to the Cowboys said that the team
"netted" $57M "on revenue approaching" $180M in '98,
according to SI's Peter King, who profiles the "marketing
acumen" of Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones. In an effort "to
boost the team's burgeoning fan base in Mexico," Jones is
"about to close a deal" to move the team's training camp
"just north" of the Mexican border. Additionally, Jones is
"fascinated with the idea of turning his Texas Stadium into
a theme park of sorts." While the NFL "sees a tremendous
opportunity to generate revenue" from Internet ventures,
Jones, "would prefer that each franchise fight for -- and
keep -- its Internet dollars." Jones: "Each team should
have the incentive to make the most it can out of the
Internet." Jones also said, "We've put everyone in the
league on notice that we will be controlling our own logos
starting in 2004," but an NFL spokesperson said that "if
three quarters of the teams vote to continue splitting
proceeds, the Cowboys will have to go along with the crowd."
King: "Lawsuits would probably not be too far behind."
Patriots Owner Bob Kraft "favors funneling all Internet pay
sites through one NFL portal and splitting the revenue," but
giving a "proportionately larger number of dollars" to teams
that generate the most traffic (SI, 10/25 issue).
