NFL owners are "unlikely" to vote on the Browns' proposed
move to Baltimore at a special meeting January 17 in Atlanta,
according to the WASHINGTON POST. Leonard Shapiro reports the
owners will instead wait for the outcome of a trial in Cleveland
on the team's stadium lease that starts February 12. The focus
of the January 17 meeting is expected to shift to the extension
of the CBA with the players through 2002 (WASHINGTON POST,
12/23). NFL Dir of Communication Greg Aiello said official
action on the Browns "doesn't have to be done at this meeting"
(Bart Hubbuch, Akron BEACON JOURNAL, 12/23). In Baltimore,
columnist Ken Rosenthal predicts that Browns Owner Art Modell and
Cleveland Mayor Michael White will "begin exploring an out-of-
court settlement shortly" (Baltimore SUN, 1/3).
NEWS & NOTES: The BEACON JOURNAL examined Modell's
financial history and concluded that claims of massive losses
"aren't exactly as Modell has described them" (Adams & Moore,
BEACON JOURNAL, 12/24)....The Browns have opened a temporary
office in Baltimore (WASHINGTON POST, 1/2)....The team claims to
have received 20,000 written requests for season tickets one week
after the announced move (Baltimore SUN, 12/25)....The SUN notes
"concern" in the MD Legislature over growing resistance to the
stadium financing plan (Baltimore SUN, 12/24)....Giants Co-Owner
Wellington Mara said he will "reluctantly" vote for the Browns
move (Baltimore SUN, 12/27)....Columnist John Steadman proposes
the NFL vote to leave the Browns in Cleveland and assure
Baltimore expansion in '98 (Baltimore SUN, 12/31).
