Attorneys for the city of Cleveland and the Browns "were far
apart as they proposed dates" for the start of a trial before a
Cuyahoga County judge on the disputed lease at Cleveland Stadium,
according to this morning's Akron BEACON JOURNAL. The city has
proposed March 3, while the team is pushing for next Monday,
December 4. Judge Kenneth Callahan will now set the date. In
other news, at a press conference yesterday, Cleveland Mayor
Michael White denied all rumors of possible shifts of other NFL
franchise to the city, saying that Cleveland is being used by NFL
owners seeking better deals in their cities. White: "Somebody's
trying to leverage us." White also said they rejected three
offers from the Browns to settle before last week's lease hearing
(Arnie Rosenberg, Akron BEACON JOURNAL, 11/28).
NOT A LOT OF HOPE: BEACON JOURNAL columnist Terry Pluto
writes, "Andre Rison has a better chance of being elected mayor
of Cleveland than the court system does of keeping the Browns
here" (BEACON JOURNAL, 11/28).
SOLIDARITY: This Thursday, the IHL Phoenix Roadrunners will
hold "Cleveland Sports Fan Appreciation Night" at Arizona
Veterans Memorial Coliseum when the team meets the Cleveland
Lumberjacks. Anyone wearing Indians, Browns, Cavaliers or
Lumberjacks merchandise, or anyone holding a sign supporting
Cleveland sports, will be eligible for two tickets ($12 or $10)
for the price of one (IHL).
