THE NFL'S L.A. PROBLEM: IS LEAGUE- BACKED TEAM THE SOLUTION?

     The NFL is considering a plan to put a league-operated team
in the L.A. area when a new stadium is built, probably in
Anaheim, according to Glenn Dickey in this morning's S.F.
CHRONICLE.  The league reportedly would share equally all
revenues generated by that team.  According to Dickey, the move
would:  1) eliminate the concern that adding another team would
dilute TV revenues; 2) strengthen the league's argument that its
is a single entity; 3) stop Ken Behring's proposed move of the
Seahawks to L.A.  Dickey notes, "The league is determined to
fight Behring's attempt to move his franchise, even if it means
going to court."  Dickey adds, "With all the bad publicity
generated by the recent franchise moves, the NFL would much
rather put an expansion team into the Los Angeles area, which is
what spawned talk of a league-operated team" (S.F. CHRONICLE,
2/12).