In Boston, Will McDonough reports, "For now, revenue-sharing
appears to be dead, even though it was supposed to be part of an
extension of the [CBA] with players." Raiders Owner Al Davis:
"It's a farce. ... I watch television and I see those ads: 'Ford
has the best trucks. Ford has the best cars. Ford has the best
of everything.' Then I sit down and write out a check to Bill
Ford to help him with the Detroit Lions" (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/17).
GETTING TOUGH: In Tampa, Pat Yasinskas writes NFL
Commissioner Paul Tagliabue acted like "a man fighting for
survival. ... Behind the scenes, last week might have been the
most significant of Tagliabue's tenure. ... At a time when
franchises are moving all over the country, Tagliabue finally
took a stand and Tampa Bay could be the big winner" (TAMPA
TRIBUNE, 3/17). In Denver, Jim Armstrong writes, "As unpalatable
as the thought of more lawsuits is, they may be coming. At the
conclusion of the meetings, Tagliabue said he's ready to go to
war again to stop future franchise moves" (DENVER POST, 3/17).
49ers President Carmen Policy: "I think we're coming to the end
of the road." After Houston and Tampa -- and if the league can
"control" the L.A. market as planned -- Policy said things will
have "calmed down" (S.F. EXAMINER, 3/17).
MORE LEFTOVERS: In St. Pete, Rick Stroud writes the league
should have spent as much time debating the issue of full-time
officials as they did on instant replay (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES,
3/17)....Tagliabue, Policy and S.F. Mayor Willie Brown will meet
soon on the '99 Super Bowl. The city is expected to ask for the
2001 or 2002 game in exchange for returning the '99 game to the
league. The 49ers and the city are waiting on the results of the
March 26 referendum on the Giants' ballpark before moving ahead
on consideration of rebuilding 3Com Park (KNIGHT-RIDDER/AZ DAILY
STAR, 3/17).
