Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones and American Express Travel
Related Services Company, Inc. yesterday announced a "multi-year,
multi-million dollar" sponsorship deal with Texas Stadium,
according to the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. Jean-Jacques Taylor writes
the announcement comes one day after Jones had an "unproductive"
meeting in Chicago with members of NFL Properties' Executive
Committee regarding the league's $300M lawsuit against the
Cowboys' owner. Jones: "The lawsuit in no way constrains me
from being involved in the deal with American Express, or
entertaining, pursuing or doing additional deals in the future"
(DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 10/6).
LEAGUE STANCE: NFL Dir of Commuinications Greg Aiello:
"Although we have not seen the contract at this point, it appears
to involve the same type of conduct that is the subject of the
suit" (Larry Weisman, USA TODAY, 10/6).
COUNTERSUIT STILL ON: Jones said of the meetings with NFL
Properties' Exec Committee that he does not see "an urgency to
resolve" the matter and is moving forward with his plans to
countersue. Jones: "I feel stronger than I've ever felt that it
was foolish for the NFL to file suit. The good thing, if
anything, is that the owners and myself, too, will learn a lot
from the discovery [process of the contersuit]" (Kevin Lyons, FT.
WORTH STAR TELEGRAM, 10/6).
