NFL Franchise Notes: Is Anyone To Blame In Steelers' Turmoil?

In Pittsburgh, Ron Cook wrote "the saddest part of the potential sale of the Steelers" is that the four younger Rooney brothers -- "four honest, decent men -- are being vilified for being soulless, greedy money-grabbers because they are considering selling their shares of the franchise to outside interests instead of to their older brother, [Steelers Chair Dan Rooney], because they believe it's the right thing to do for their children and grandchildren." Cook: "I almost feel sorry for the Rooney brothers because they clearly don't want to sell." They are "considering doing so only because the NFL says they can't continue to own the team and their gambling interests at the family race tracks." There also is "time pressure on a potential sale because of concerns by at least some of the brothers that, if Barack Obama becomes president in November, he will make changes to the tax code that would adversely impact the brothers' children's inheritance" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 7/27).

Wilf Says He Does Not Quantify Vikings' Success In Dollar Amounts

FORD COUPE: Lions Vice Chair Bill Ford Jr. said that the "marketing and promotion program the Lions have undertaken has made a strong impact on ticket sales." Lions COO Tom Lewand added that the team, which has sold out every home game since moving into Ford Field in '02, is "ahead or even with sales from last year in all key categories." Lewand would not disclose how many season tickets have been sold. Despite speculation that "there will be local television blackouts for home games this year," Ford said ticket sales are "not sluggish." Ford: "The economic piece -- this is obviously not a wonderful time in southeast Michigan. We're pleased with where we are. We're actually selling quite a few season tickets every day" (DETROIT NEWS, 7/28).

Chiefs Chair Expects Economy To Dampen Team's Season-Ticket Sales

NOTES: Syndicated radio host Rush Limbaugh said that he “would be interested in buying the [Rams] if the team were for sale.” Limbaugh: “The Rams would be a great team to have. I have a lot of friends in ownership in the NFL, and my desire to get involved has not been a secret” (ST. LOUIS BUSINESS JOURNAL, 7/25 issue)....49ers Special Projects Manager Jed York said that the team "already has sold out 85[%] of its home games, roughly the same percentage as a year ago." York: "It's surprising to me, especially with the economy" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 7/27)....In DC, Tim Lemke reports a record 28,000 fans attended Saturday's Redskins fan appreciation day at the team's Redskin Park training camp facility in Ashburn, Virginia. Many of the fans waited "more than 90 minutes to enter the park and others fail[ed] to get in at all." The previous record crowd for the event was 25,000 in '04 (WASHINGTON TIMES, 7/29).

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