Saints owner Tom Benson resigned his post as chair of the
"powerful" NFL Finance Committee. NBC's Will McDonough notes
that the owners are "very upset" about his decision: "Benson is
upset at the San Francisco 49ers, he feels they have abused the
cap, he doesn't like what Jerry Jones has been doing in Dallas
and he told the Commissioner that he is tired of being the
policeman in the league. Other owners are prevailing upon him to
come back but he said he is going to stay away from the
chairmanship" ("NFL Live," NBC, 10/16). McDonough also notes
that Benson never wanted Wayne Huizenga in the league and
"bristled when the NFL changed its rules to allow him to own the
Dolphins" (BOSTON GLOBE, 10/16). Fox's James Brown also reported
the Benson story, adding: "In a related development, it was also
revealed that the Ed DeBartolo Corporation, which owns the 49ers,
is a limited partner in a Mississippi River Boat casino.
However, a league official has told Fox that this is no violation
of NFL rules" ("Fox NFL Sunday," 10/16).
WORLD LEAGUE OFFICIALS: Broncos President Pat Bowlen, Lions
Owner William Clay Ford, Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt and Patriots
President Robert Kraft will represent the NFL on an eight-person
World League of American Football Board of Directors. News
Corp., the NFL's joint-venture partner in the league, also has
four seats on the board (NFL).
