In testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee's
Subcommittee on Antitrust, Business Rights and Competition today,
NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue "will urge Congress to
dramatically enhance the power of league owners to block the
transfer of a football team from one city to another," according
to this morning's PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE. According to an
advance copy, the commissioner will testify that the league has
avoided blocking franchise shifts for fear of legal action that
could lead to "astronomical" financial damages for NFL owners.
Specifically, Tagliabue will ask Congress to modify antitrust
laws to allow the NFL to operate as a "single enterprise for
internal decisions on such matters as franchise relocation." By
designating the NFL as a "single entity" instead of 30 competing
teams, Congress would legally protect the league from any suit
Browns Owner Art Modell might file. Tagliabue's proposal is
similar to an unsuccessful bill filed in '84 by PA Sen. Arlen
Specter (Jack Torry, PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 11/29).
OUTLOOK ON THE HILL: OH Sen. John Glenn will introduce
legislation similar to Tagliabue's proposal, with OH Rep. Louis
Stokes doing the same in the House. OH Rep. Martin Hoke, on the
other hand, will propose a bill calling for a requirement that
the league offer an expansion franchise within 12 months of a
city losing a team. Hoke, on Glenn's bill: "It expands the
power of the NFL without getting anything in return. You don't
want to expand the power of the NFL when the NFL is the problem"
(William Hershey, Akron BEACON JOURNAL, 11/29). Cleveland Mayor
Michael White, who also testifies today, proposes a four-point
plan: 180-day notice by owners before a move and right of first
refusal for the city; limited antitrust exemption for relocation;
prohibition of relocation payments; retention of team
name/colors by abandoned city (USA TODAY, 11/29).
OTHER NFL NEWS: Astros Owner Drayton McLane, who operates
the Astrodome, is suing the NFL claiming the league conspired
with the Oilers to cancel a preseason game to help the team move
to Nashville (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 11/29).... Cowboys Owner Jerry
Jones filed a brief with the NFL's special master on how the team
would want Deion Sanders' salary applied against the cap. The
league has given the Management Council and the NFLPA until
December 15 to file their briefs (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM,
11/29)....In New York, Steve Serby follows up on "Zebragate," in
which linesman Jerry Bergman asked Packers QB Brent Favre for an
autograph before last Sunday's game (N.Y. POST, 11/29).
