During yesterday's owners meetings in FL, officials
discussed the league's Internet strategy, and USA TODAY's
Jenkins & Weisman report the NFL "would like to incorporate"
all 32 team Web sites into its nfl.com portal, but "revenue-
sharing issues must be worked out." Tagliabue said that
there "should be a very broad sharing on an equal basis,"
but added there could be "differentials" for teams that sell
more merchandise through e-commerce (USA TODAY, 3/28).
Chiefs Owner Lamar Hunt, on Internet discussions: "I was
probably involved four or five hours today, and that's very
unusual for something so unknown. It's so important to the
future of the league." Hunt "wants to see any significant"
Internet revenues shared equally: "The league wants to get
the most benefit, promotionally and economically, and
clearly no one has the answers. This thing is developing so
fast and I don't think anybody has the concept how to best
do it. There are all kinds of ramifications, like games on
TV. Do you embargo them until after 11 at night? Clearly
the (network TV) contract prevents us from putting live
televised games on the Internet now" (K.C. STAR, 3/28).
DONE DEAL: ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported that MD
business exec Stephen Bisciotti "was approved unanimously as
the minority owner of the Ravens." He paid $272M for "that
right and he will definitely buy the team in four years"
("NFL 2Night," ESPN2, 3/27). In Baltimore, Vito Stellino
notes that Bisciotti acquired 49% of the Ravens for $275M,
with an "option to buy" the remaining 51% in four years for
$325M. Owner Art Modell said that he "originally had 18
strong inquiries about" the franchise, but after the "field
was narrowed" to 12, Bisciotti "was the only one who was
willing to let him run the team for four more years" (Balt.
SUN, 3/28). Modell: "Now we're debt-free. I haven't been
out of debt since 1948" (USA TODAY, 3/28)....In Boston,
Borges & McDonough report that owners also approved Bob
McNair's sale of 27 1/2% of his Houston franchise to some TX
investors. Shares were sold at "full retail value," meaning
McNair "collected about" $7M per share (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/28).
ADDING FUEL TO THE FIRE? In Boston, Will McDonough
writes that the NFLPA "seems intent on adding more weapons
to its arsenal in case there is a war" when the CBA expires
in three years. McDonough: "At this time, the union is
trying to bring game officials into the fold, which would be
unprecedented in professional sports." IMG's Tom Condon,
whose company represents the game officials association:
"The players invited the officials to the players' annual
convention and the officials were well received. The
players were surprised to find out how little [money] the
officials make in this league" (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/28).
NOTES: In Ft. Lauderdale, Alex Marvez writes that
Tagliabue "turned to sarcasm when discussing the league's
negotiations" with the NFLCA, which is seeking better
benefits for assistant coaches. Tagliabue: "I wasn't aware
that we had an NFLCA until now, but I think I know what the
initials refer to." NFLCA Exec Dir Larry Kennan said of
Tagliabue, "He's saying that he doesn't know what [the
NFLCA] is because he doesn't want to recognize us" (Ft.
Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL, 3/28)....In N.Y., Mike Freeman
reports that the league looked into Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen
deferring "almost" $30M in salary to former Broncos QB John
Elway and current RB Terrell Davis and writes, "Tagliabue
ordered Bowlen to pay most of the money immediately, and
Bowlen wrote a check for $22 million, which the league then
gave to Elway and Davis" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/28).
RAISING ARIZONA ... FOR L.A.? In L.A., T.J. Simers
reports that the Cardinals "already have had discussions
with interested parties" about relocating to L.A., and
"through a third party it has been suggested that" Owner
Bill Bidwill "might be willing to sell a share of his team
to L.A. interests." Simers notes that Bidwill "would
maintain controlling interest" (L.A. TIMES, 3/28).
