With the Eagles starting the season 0-3, columnist Bill
Lyon of the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER writes that Owner Jeffrey
Lurie "should do himself -- not to mention the disgruntled
city and its mutinous Iggles fans -- a large favor and get
out from under the avalanche that is burying the franchise.
Sell. And I even have a buyer for him: [Flyers/76ers Chair]
Ed Snider." Lyon notes that Snider "explored the
possibility" of buying the Vikings and "has an obvious
interest" in the NFL. Lyon: "The formula for financing a
new stadium is one-third, one-third, one-third between
state, local and private. Snider has the clout, connections
and the cash (or access to it) to hold up his end without
working up a sweat" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 9/24). Also in
Philadelphia, Christopher Kepp writes on reports and
speculation that Lurie may be financially overextended: "So
is Jeffrey Lurie too strapped for money to pay for a quality
team? The team will not discuss its finances, but there is
enough of a public record to suggest that even if Lurie was
stretching in 1994 when he bought the team [for $190M],
things have since broken in such a way that he should have
no problem now" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 9/24).
HOLDING COURT: "Eagles Court" is back again this season
at Veterans Stadium, according to April Adamson of the
PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS. The team's poor start has some
"concerned" that it will "spark more rowdiness than usual"
at the Vet so five judges will "stand ready to dole out some
stiff fines -- and give flagrant fans the scare of their
lives." Unlike last year when offenders were brought to a
"makeshift court" in the stadium's basement, fans caught
"drinking, smoking pot or causing a ruckus" will go from the
stands to the 3rd Police District, "where they'll be staring
at a cell block wall for the afternoon" (DAILY NEWS, 9/24).
