At the NFL meetings in West Palm Beach, FL, team owners
voted to establish the NFL Internet Network, a two-year deal
which calls for the teams to operate the NFL's Internet
business as a single network. The deal would cover existing
and future elements of the Internet, such as game
highlights, game day applications, radio broadcasts,
advertising, e-commerce, auctions and photos (NFL).
Commissioner Tagliabue: "The focus now is on developing the
Internet. Is this as important as our decision in 1961 to
pool all television money? That decision was permanent.
This is only for two years. But the concept is we should
all act together in our best interest" (WASHINGTON POST,
3/30). The WALL STREET JOURNAL INTERACTIVE's David Sweet
writes that teams previously "sold advertising on their Web
pages. Now, the league will also sell a small amount on
team sites. Revenue from league sales will be split equally
among the franchises, while teams will continue to keep ad
sales they've generated." NFL Senior VP/New Media Chris
Russo, on the proposal: "We can pursue strategic
opportunities as a cohesive unit. Now we can explore
relationships that encompass all the league sites as well."
Sweet adds that to "boost ad rates" for the league, Internet
measurement services such as Media Metrix "will no longer
count club-site traffic individually but as part of the NFL
Internet Network." But Russo said that team sites "will
maintain their editorial independence." NFL.com will now
"delete" its own club pages and link directly to all team
sites. NFL Films will "provide video footage" for club
sites, but live game video will "still not be permitted
because of existing" TV contracts (WSJ.COM, 3/30). The deal
prevents teams from making Internet marketing deals
independent of NFL.com (Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY, 3/30).
THE VOTE: In Baltimore, Vito Stellino reports that
owners approved Internet revenue sharing 23-2, with the
Cowboys and Dolphins voting no, five teams abstaining and
the Vikings absent. Ravens Owner Art Modell abstained
"because he wanted to make sure the provisions weren't in
conflict with the team's PSINet contract" (Baltimore SUN,
3/30). In Ft. Lauderdale, Alex Marvez writes that Dolphins
Owner Wayne Huizenga voted against the deal because he
"reportedly was unhappy with how the policy was constructed"
(Ft. Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL, 3/30). In Newark, Paul
Needell reports that the Ravens, 49ers, Raiders, Rams and
Seahawks abstained (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 3/30).
INTERNET TAKES CENTER STAGE: In Boston, Will McDonough
quotes an AFC team owner: "We've been going at this since
Sunday and all the talk is about the Internet. How can we
maximize the Internet?" (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/30).
