Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones was criticized by NFL Commissioner
Paul Tagliabue after a meeting of the league owners at which
Jones gave "an impassioned defense" of his recent sponsorships
deals with Pepsi and Nike. On Monday, the league announced it
would sue Jones for $300M in damages and to prevent further deals
with non-league sponsors. In Ft. Worth this morning, Mike Fisher
reports Jones emerged optimistic and claimed that "eight or nine"
other owners "appeared sympathetic." Jones: "I could tell they
were genuinely wanting to hear me out" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM,
9/20). Reports yesterday that the meeting could turn "ugly"
failed to come true. Jones: "Several that did make remarks did
it in a very courteous way" (Baltimore SUN, 9/20).
WOULD-BE ALLIES? Raiders Owner Al Davis came out publicly
for Jones. Davis: "I'm not sure that lawsuit is allowed to go
on. The owners didn't vote on it." Fisher reports "there are
indications" the Eagles' Jeffrey Lurie, the Dolphins' Wayne
Huizenga and the Pats' Robert Kraft "are among others that agree
with Jones' desire to institute an incentive-laden, locally-based
marketing plan." Kraft: "I might go about it a little
differently, but I do see two sides to this issue. ... We have to
think differently about certain things" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM,
9/20). Patriots Dir of Public Relations Don Lowery told the
BOSTON HERALD that Kraft "sees himself as a mediator." Lowery
added that Kraft "sees the reality of the future, which is that
for the league to remain competitive, there should be no undue
burdens" on new owners, who "assume substantial debt to buy NFL
teams" (Phil Primack, BOSTON HERALD, 9/20). Kraft: "Those of us
who have higher carrying costs of new franchises, need to find a
way to generate revenues, but I think we should do it in concert
with the league that doesn't violates the league's rules"
("SportsCenter," ESPN, 9/19). ESPN's Chris Mortensen said the
league's lawsuit "doesn't mean Jones faces a united front."
Mortensen: "Six to 10 owners agree with Jerry on marketing and
merchandising" (Michael Hiestand, USA TODAY, 9/20).
