NFL Franchise Notes: Vikings Cleared In Favre Tampering Case
 |
Goodell Rules That Vikings Did Not Violate
NFL's Tampering Rules In Regards To Favre |
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell yesterday ruled that the Vikings did not violate the league's tampering policies involving Packers QB Brett Favre. The Packers last month filed charges "claiming that Vikings coach Brad Childress and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell had inappropriate contact with Favre" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 8/4). Meanwhile, YAHOO SPORTS' Michael Silver writes of the ongoing situation between the Packers and Favre, "Which side made a bigger mess on the PR front -- the quarterback who called his once and future bosses dishonest, or the seemingly confused organization that just hired [Ari Fleischer Sports Communications President] Ari Fleischer as a consultant?" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 8/5).
WHAT'S THE PLAN? In San Diego, Tim Sullivan wrote an open letter to Majestic Realty Chair & CEO Ed Roski after Roski failed to respond to Sullivan's interview request six weeks ago about Roski's plan to build a football stadium in City of Industry, California. Sullivan: "I'm still eager to learn whether your efforts pose a legitimate threat to the stability of the [Chargers]. ... I'm still agog at the sweep of your vision and the cleverness of your construction concept." But Sullivan added Roski has "made a lot of Chargers fans nervous." Chargers fans would "probably like to hear that you have targeted the [Jaguars] -- which is what I've been hearing -- and will likely leave the Chargers to seek their stadium solution elsewhere." Sullivan wrote it is "hard to imagine a football stadium in the City of Industry as a magnet for major events," and it is "harder still to figure out how you can build a football stadium and make money without owning a majority interest in the major tenant." Sullivan wrote, "That's why it makes more sense to speculate on your buying control of the small-market Jaguars" or Rams, and "that's why a little clarity from you could serve to calm a lot anxious Chargers fans" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 8/2). Meanwhile, Jaguars Senior VP/Business Operations Tim Connolly said that ticket sales "are about 3,500 to 4,000 ahead of last year's sales at this time and the season ticket renewal rate is 91[%]." Jaguars execs believe that the team will "sell about 57,000 to 58,000 tickets this year" (JACKSONVILLE BUSINESS JOURNAL, 8/1 issue).
 |
NFL Owners Want Rooney To
Maintain Control Of Steelers |
UNDER REVIEW: In Pittsburgh, Prine & Brown look at the obstacles of Steelers Chair Dan Rooney's desire to gain a controlling interest in the team under the header, "Could Steelers' Dan Rooney Block Druckenmiller Sale?" Pittsburgh-based Duquesne Capital Management Chair Stanley Druckenmiller has been in talks to acquire the Steelers ownership stakes from Rooney's four brothers, and investment bankers and tax and probate attorneys said that there is a "slim chance" that Rooney could block Druckenmiller's bid for majority control of the franchise. But Giants co-Owner John Mara said that NFL owners "wanted Dan Rooney to retain control." Mara: "There isn't one person in the league who wants this to happen. Everyone wants it to work out. Dan Rooney is the most respected owner in the league." Other owners are taking a "wait-and-see approach" (Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 8/5).
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Falcons Owner Arthur Blank said that the "main reason for holding an open scrimmage at Mill Creek High School Friday and the simulated game Saturday was community outreach." Blank acknowledged that the functions also "were to pitch the product and to try to generate ticket sales" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 8/3).
|
