Three candidates "have dropped out of the running one
week" before the NFL expects to choose an owner for the
expansion Browns, according to Bill Lubinger of the
Cleveland PLAIN DEALER. Sources "familiar with the NFL
bidding process" said that Indians Owner Richard Jacobs,
Step2 Co. Founder Thomas Murdough and Bruins Owner Jeremy
Jacobs "have ended their pursuit for the team." An
announcement is expected once Goldman, Sachs & Co. receives
the second round of bids from the remaining candidates --
due at noon today (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 9/1). In Akron,
Terry Pluto reports that Murdough and Jacobs "had considered
merging in an effort to join forces to buy the Browns, but
that is no longer a possibility" (BEACON JOURNAL, 9/1).
EXPANSION ROSTER: The NFL's expansion committee will
meet Thursday in N.Y. to determine the finalists for the
team, and the PLAIN DEALER's Tony Grossi wrote that the
committee "is a broad brush of the league." It's comprised
of three "from the so-called 'old guard'" -- Steelers
President Dan Rooney, Chiefs Owner Lamar Hunt and Lions Vice
Chair Bill Ford Jr. -- and four from the "new guard" --
Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen, Patriots Owner Bob Kraft, Panthers
Owner Jerry Richardson and Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones.
Grossi: "Some are considered part of [NFL Commissioner Paul]
Tagliabue's inner circle (Bowlen, Kraft, Richardson), some
are not (Ford, Jones), and some are strongly independent
(Rooney, Hunt)." Tagliabue has not said whether he intends
to endorse a candidate, "but he will have influence in the
committee's evaluation" (Tony Grossi, PLAIN DEALER, 8/31).
WISE INVESTMENT? In Akron, Chris Tomasson reports that
"several observers" believe that Browns bidder Howard
Milstein spent $50,000 two weeks ago to bring about 40
Browns Backers fan club officers to Cleveland for a 45-
minute meeting. Milstein "has improved his standing among
some Browns Backers. Then again, some Backers remain
suspicious of his motives" (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 9/1).
