Since announcing his deals with Pepsi and Nike, Cowboys
Owner Jerry Jones has drawn fire from several league owners as
well as a $300M suit from the league. But while the most vocal
responses to Jones' ideas about changing the revenue split from
NFL Properties have come from those in opposition, the majority
have declined to take a stance or citied the need for more
information. In surveying media reports of the past month and
calling front offices around the league, THE SPORTS BUSINESS
DAILY has found 13 owners to have vocally opposed Jones' moves,
12 declining to take a stance, and four teams showing some
support (THE DAILY).
QUOTED IN OPPOSITION: Two of the most ardent opponents of
Jones' activities have been Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen and Vikings
President/CEO Roger Headrick. Bowlen and Headrick spoke to THE
DAILY about Jones and his marketing maneuvers. Bowlen: "His
activities do not represent a very popular message to new owners
in the league. The NFL was built on the premise of revenue
sharing and it is very short-sighted on his part to think
otherwise." Headrick, Chair of Exec Committee on NFL Properties,
said: "He has definitely violated the spirit of partnership,
teamwork, and working together as a league which was the whole
basis for him entering the league." (THE DAILY).
OPPOSITION VOICED AFTER NIKE DEALS: Browns Owner Art
Modell, Bengals Owner Mike Brown, Bills Owner Ralph Wilson, 49ers
President Carmen Policy and Giants President and Co-Owner
Wellington Mara were all widely quoted after the amnnouncement of
the Nike deal in opposition to Jones' position. In a statement
made to THE SPORTS BUSINESS DAILY before this week's owners'
meeting, Seahawks President David Behring said they were
"concerned" about Jones' actions "because the NFL has always
thrived through NFL Properties by promoting the entire National
Football League and not just individual teams" (THE DAILY).
OPPOSITION VOICED AT OWNERS MEETING: Chiefs Owner Lamar
Hunt, Saints Owner Tom Bensen, Steelers Owner Dan Rooney and
Falcons Owner Rankin Smith were all quoted in opposition this
week at the Atlanta owners meetings.
OPPOSITION VOICED SINCE: In this morning's MILWAUKEE
JOURNAL SENTINEL, Packers President Bob Harlan said Jones' deals
cause concern "for Green Bay and the future of the league."
Harlan noted the Packers depend on TV and ticket income revenue
sharing, but the team ranks 7th in merchandise sold. Harlan said
they have had offers from sponsors similar to Jones, but that
he's turned them down "because I felt it was against the league
rules." More from Harlan: "We have a system that is envied by
other people. I know baseball likes this system and sees it's a
great way to operate. We have a sound system. Why harm the
game? (Tom Silverstein, MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 9/22).
SECOND HAND REPORTS: While Pat Bowlen made the claim to THE
DAILY that his opinions "are shared by the majority of the
league," other reports (particularly from Mike Fisher of the FT.
WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM) indicate that other owners may be
"sympathetic" toward Jones. Along with the Raiders' Al Davis,
there are indications the Eagles' Jeffrey Lurie, the Dolphins'
Wayne Huizenga and the Pats' Robert Kraft agree with elements of
Jones' plan (See THE DAILY, 9/21). Officials from both the
Eagles and Dolphins have been quoted as interested in hearing
what Jones has to say. In this morning's FT. WORTH STAR-
TELEGRAM, Davis is quoted as saying only four members of the
NFL's Executive Committee voted to bring the lawsuit. Mike
Fisher reports the Jaguars' Wayne Weaver, a member of the
committee, "figures to be among NFL owners who share Jones' cash-
flow concerns. That might cause him to be among the 'eight or
nine owners' Jones says are at least understanding" (FT. WORTH
STAR-TELEGRAM, 9/22). NO COMMENT, OR QUIETLY INTERESTED?
Twelve teams have, to date, had no statements on the situation:
the Bears, Cardinals, Chargers, Colts, Jaguars, Jets, Oilers,
Rams, Buccaneers, Lions, Panthers and Redskins (THE DAILY).
COWBOYS CONFIDENT: Cowboys Dir of Public Relations Rich
Dalrymple told THE DAILY on Wednesday that the Cowboys, "haven't
broken any NFL rules," and the team is "confident we will win the
suit" (THE DAILY).
