Talks are under way that could bring 49ers Owners Eddie
DeBartolo and Denise DeBartolo York to New York to meet with
NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue to settle a dispute
regarding ownership of the 49ers, according to Clark Judge
of the SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS. NFL VP/Communications Greg
Aiello: "It's under discussion" (S.J. MERCURY NEWS, 1/30).
THE MONEY PIT? In S.F., Matier & Ross report, "It's not
just Eddie DeBartolo's legal problems that have driven his
family up the wall -- it's his free-spending lifestyle and
money-draining expeditions." Sources close to the
DeBartolos said Eddie "has burned up roughly" $75M of the
"family fortune on gaming, restaurants and other business
ventures -- with little to show from it except a possible
indictment" in LA. A source adds that DeBartolo "personally
owes" Denise DeBartolo York "more than" $50M, "a sore spot
that is helping fuel family tensions and casting doubts over
the fate of the football franchise itself." Sources add
that a "big part of Eddie's money woes came when he began
pursuing his casino and cardroom interests. DeBartolo has
put sizable money into campaigns aimed at winning approval
for his various gaming ventures -- none of which have gotten
off the ground." DeBartolo York "appears to be in no mood
to spend another dime of family money on a new stadium or
any of her brother's dreams" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 1/30).
