As much as the 49ers' new ownership "insists it won't
happen," the $1.2B deal between former Owner Eddie DeBartolo
and his sister, Denise DeBartolo York, "points to the
possibility of a team sale after July 1, 2003," according to
USA TODAY's Richard Weiner. The deal mandates that
DeBartolo York "must pay her brother" $0.50 on the dollar
for any sale before July 1, 2003. Weiner: "Put in
perspective, the 49ers, with a new stadium plan, would be
worth more than $1 billion -- which means DeBartolo would
get more than $250 million on a sale before that date." If
the team is sold after July 1, 2003, however, DeBartolo York
"must pay her brother 'only'" $70M. While team co-Owner
John York "confirms the numbers, he remains adamant that the
49ers are not for sale." But Weiner notes the "numbers,
which also coincide with the 49ers' three-year plan to
rebuild, might be too good to turn down" (USA TODAY, 7/20).
CAMP NOTES: The Redskins "will make NFL history today"
when they become the first NFL team to charge admission for
people to watch training camp. Team President Steve
Baldacci: "I think we'll be close to capacity [around
7,500]" (USA TODAY, 7/20). In DC, Liz Clarke writes,
"Whether that product is worth the $10 admission fee
ultimately will be up to fans." NFL Commissioner Paul
Tagliabue, asked about team Owner Daniel Snyder's decision
to charge for training camp: "The Redskins under Dan Snyder
are working hard to create value for the fans. The cost is
minimal. The fans will determine what the values are"
(WASHINGTON POST, 7/20)....In Rochester, Leo Roth previews
the Bills inaugural training camp at St. John Fisher College
(see THE DAILY, 5/26). Roth: "Never in the team's 40 years
have the two facets of football, the game, and football, the
business, been so intertwined." Only ten years ago, the
team's marketing staff consisted of one person, today it
numbers near thirty (ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE, 7/20).
