While NFL owners and team execs were treated with good news
on TV ratings and attendance and revenue figures, they also heard
a "forceful" presentation from NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue on
the dangers of "franchise free agency." According to this
morning's N.Y. TIMES, Tagliabue said, "The fans do no like free
agency with the players. They certainly do not like it with the
franchises. We as a league need to put ourselves in the fans'
shoes. It's the customer that counts, and any good business
realizes that. We need to look at ourselves from the outside
in." Another "crossroads," according to Tagliabue, is the state
of the current CBA with players. Tagliabue noted the labor peace
the NFL has enjoyed, but added, "It has come at a high price.
These signing bonuses have created a porous cap. It is a major
problem" (Thomas George, N.Y. TIMES, 3/12).
CLEVELAND DEAL: Owners formally approved the deal with the
city of Cleveland to return football to that city by '99. Still,
local leaders noted the "sizable hurdle" that remains -- getting
the city's corporate community to make one-year deposits by
January 31, 1997 on 70% of the 8,000 club seats and the 94 loges.
Tagliabue said the new Browns owner will not be announced until
after the deadlines are met (Akron BEACON JOURNAL, 3/12). During
a break in yesterday's meetings, Baltimore Owner Art Modell
claimed he was "envious" of Cleveland's deal. Modell: "I wish I
had that same opportunity -- I'd still be in Cleveland" (Bart
Hubbuch, Akron BEACON JOURNAL, 3/12).
HOUSTON, YOU HAVE A PROBLEM: After hearing presentations
from Oilers Owner Bud Adams and Houston Mayor Bob Lanier, several
NFL owners said they support the team's move to Nashville but are
unable to guarantee Houston another franchise (John McClain,
HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 3/12). The deal Lanier offered is a 66,000-
seat open-air stadium next to the Astrodome, partly financed
through local taxes. Tagliabue, on Lanier's request for a
Cleveland-type deal: "The Cleveland arrangements were negotiated
after four months of intense talks. They offered us something
concrete, and I don't see that out of Houston" (John Williams,
HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 3/12). Columnist Ed Fowler, on the Nashville
vote: "Adams might as well be Joe Stalin going before the
Supreme Soviet" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 3/12). UPON FURTHER REVIEW:
While the return of instant replay lost 4-3 in the Competition
Committee, the idea will get a full hearing and a vote this week.
According to Don Pierson in Chicago, the discussion on details
concerns: "Who triggers the review; who makes the call; and what
plays are covered." If 23 owners approve, a return is not likely
next season, with experiments first (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 3/12).
ESPN's Chris Mortensen was "not that optimistic" about instant
replay's chances ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 3/11).
OTHER NOTES: 49ers President Eddie DeBartolo said he will
no longer be an absentee owner. DeBartolo, who is selling his
Youngstown, OH, home and will move to the Bay Area: "Mohammad is
coming to the mountain" (Larry Stone, S.F. EXAMINER, 3/12)....In
Philadelphia, Paul Domowitch examines the free agency market and
finds that: teams have already handed out $200M in bonuses in 25
days of free agency, almost half of what they paid all last
season; 26 of the 93 free agents who have signed deals have
received signing bonuses of $3M or more -- 17 more than a year
ago at this time; 14 of those 26 have received bonuses of $4M or
more, compared to two last year (PHILA. DAILY NEWS, 3/12).
