Despite denials from NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and
Cleveland Mayor Michael White, reports continue that the Bucs,
wrapped in "increasingly hostile" negotiations with Hillsborough
County officials for a new stadium, have held talks with private
representatives from Cleveland about replacing the Browns. But
Bucs Owner Malcolm Glazer can't make a move until the owners
decide the Browns' fate, according to the TAMPA TRIBUNE.
Tagliabue called the Bucs-to-Cleveland scenario a "rumor without
foundation," and while Bucs GM Rich McKay said Glazer wants to
keep the Bucs in Tampa, he added that it is not appropriate to
comment on "any meetings scheduled or correspondence going on."
Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen said replacing the Browns with another
team is a "possible solution," while Raiders Owner Al Davis said,
when asked if the Bucs might get pushed to Cleveland, "Maybe they
won't have to be pushed" (Joe Henderson, TAMPA TRIBUNE, 1/18).
In Tampa, Hillsborough County Commissioners spent two-and-a-half
hours discussing stadium plans yesterday, but were unable to
reach any consensus (Rick Stroud, ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 1/18).
