The NFL is close to signing a lease at the former Mobil Oil
Building at 150 East 42nd Street in New York. The league has to
leave its current offices on Park Avenue within the next 18
months. The NFL had been considering sites outside the city, and
the city's Economic Development Corp. refused to say whether the
league was "offered incentives to stay" (CRAIN'S NEW YORK
BUSINESS, 9/11 issue).
THE MAN'S GOT A PUBLICITY JONES: Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones
is featured in the current SI under the header "Cowboys for
Sale." Jones, who is pictured wearing Nike's standing in front
of a Pepsi cooler, on the NFL's owners: "You've got guys with
zero invested, and in the same room you've got guys who've
invested $200 million to $400 million. You've got to create a
bit of incentive for these guys with all that debt." SI's
Richard Hoffer writes that since the Nike and Pepsi deals are
with Texas Stadium, Jones "may have found the multimillion-dollar
loophole that will force other owners to either jump on his
bandwagon, close the loophole ... or sue." Hoffer notes Jones'
"zest" and warns the NFL: "Be afraid. Be very afraid" (SI,
9/18).
SIGN OF THE TIMES: The Broncos, the NFL and the City and
County of Denver are battling over a Coors Light sign on the
South Stands of Mile High Stadium, which shows up on TV. The NFL
wants the sign down because of the free advertising from the end-
zone shot, and the Broncos and team Owner Pat Bowlen have asked
the city to remove it. The city cites its deal with Coors and
claims the revenue goes toward "upkeep of the stadium" (Connor &
Armstrong, DENVER POST, 9/15).
