On ESPN's "Up Close," Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones denied that
he has been summoned to a meeting with NFL Commissioner Paul
Tagliabue, adding that he has yet to hear from the NFL regarding
his recent deals with Nike and Pepsi. Jones: "I have not heard
from the league that we are going to be meeting regarding any of
those transactions that I've had. I've seen that written, but I
haven't gotten any notice." Jones added that other NFL owners
have privately voiced support for his actions. Jones: "Really
more so in terms of parts of what I am suggesting. You've got
owners who are a little apprehensive about the revenue sharing
aspects of the thing, but they agree that the clubs should do
more of their own marketing." Jones said there is a "significant
number" (he added, "let's say eight") that are "positive about
various parts" of what he has proposed (ESPN, 9/12).
'SOTA POPS: In the Twin Cities, Vikings President Roger
Headrick continued to criticize Jones. Headrick, referring to
the Cowboys' merchandise sales in '89: "When Jerry came in, he
was 2 percent of the barrel. His TV rights were $16.7 million.
His team was 1-15 and he was never on 'Monday Night Football.'"
Headrick notes that when the league's TV share jumped to $32.5M
per club in '90, Jones "didn't say 'Hey, I don't deserve all this
money.' He was never objecting to the way things worked back
then." (Curt Brown, Minneapolis STAR-TRIBUNE, 9/13).
EMMITT'S RUMBLIN', NOT FUMBLIN': In this morning's
WASHINGTON POST, David Aldridge writes: "If you think Emmitt
Smith is sitting idly by while Deion Sanders walks away with
$35.28 million over the next seven years, you're very mistaken."
Smith's agent, Richard Howell, has asked the league and the NFLPA
if the Cowboys can retain their right of first refusal on Smith.
While Smith is the Cowboys' "franchise player," his 4-year,
$13.6M deal is a "far cry" from Sanders' deal/signing bonus
(WASHINGTON POST, 9/13).
