While NFL players have faced various off-the-field
problems, including former Panthers WR Rae Carruth being
charged with murder, the league's attendance "has never been
higher," and ABC's "Monday Night Football" ranked third
among "all primetime programs last fall, a record,"
according to ESPN's Mark Schwarz, who examined the image of
the NFL as part of the network's series on the league
heading into the 21st century. Schwarz: "Does [the
league's] damaged image really hurt?" Carat North America
CEO David Verklin: "It's going to take something ... far
more egregious than all the violations we've seen to make
even a dent [in the league's popularity]. ... If we don't
see teams being very righteous and concerned about a
player's off-the-field behavior, it could come to the point
where people like me are going to turn to our clients and
say, ... 'We don't want to be associated with what's become
the National Felons League.'" Burns Sports President Bob
Williams: "I'm shocked that I haven't seen more concern from
advertisers." Panthers Owner Jerry Richardson, asked if the
Carruth murder charge impacted his franchise: "I don't think
that it's been a huge negative disadvantage." Schwarz
reported that "any ethical concerns corporate America may
have are perhaps outweighed by the marketing might of the
NFL. ... On Madison Avenue, pro football is simply teflon."
Ravens Owner Art Modell: "Well, if I were an advertiser, I'd
think twice about sponsoring the [NFL] if it became a
prevailing problem. But it isn't that, yet. I have no
fears about the future of this league" (ESPN, 1/26).
BOYS, BEHAVE YOURSELVES: In N.Y., Mike Freeman writes
that NFL security officials "warned" the Titans and Rams
that "because of a large number of undercover police
officers ... any kind of questionable activity could lead to
an embarrassing arrest." Freeman adds that "what is of
particular concern" to the NFL is the Gold Club, a local
strip club. Rams S Devin Bush said federal officials told
players "to stay away from the strip clubs" (N.Y. TIMES,
1/27). In N.Y., Gary Myers, noting last year's arrest of
Falcons DB Eugene Robinson on charges of solicitation of an
undercover police officer, writes: "It has become the battle
cry of the Super Bowl: Don't become the next Eugene
Robinson." Rams DT D'Marco Farr: "It's like a cliche now.
Whenever you see a bunch of guys go out: Remember Eugene"
(N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 1/27). NBC's Jay Leno: "Made a bet on the
Super Bowl today ... Fifty bucks on the Rams. Not to win.
I got fifty bucks that one of their players will get caught
with a hooker the night before the game" (NBC, 1/26). But in
N.Y., George Vecsey writes, "There is less temptation to go
out on the prowl with the temperature dipping down toward
the teens. It is unclear whether the league ordered the
chill to keep the lads indoors" (N.Y. TIMES, 1/27).
COLD RAIN AND SNOW: Metro Atlanta Super Bowl XXXIV Host
Committee member Adam Leish said the area's cold weather
shouldn't impact the city's chances to host future Super
Bowls: "The game is inside. Most of the events are inside.
The hotels are inside. The weather is not a factor from our
perspective" (AP, 1/26). In Orlando, L.C. Johnson writes on
the weather: "Worst of all, both teams have been practicing
outdoors" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 1/27). FSN's Jim Rome said
from Atlanta that "no one is in the streets because it's
much too cold. Maybe that's why no player has been busted
for soliciting a prostitute or buying drugs. Yet. It's just
too cold. Nobody wants to leave their rooms. A quick memo
to the NFL. Atlanta is a beautiful city, but just to be
safe, from here out just shift the game back and forth
between San Diego and Miami every year" ("The Last Word,"
FSN, 1/26). NFL VP/Communications Greg Aiello, on the
forecast calling for possible snow today: "It's just an
unfortunate circumstance that no one has any control over.
This is a very unusual weather pattern" (AP, 1/27).
