Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 25, 1990 TAG: 9005250657
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B4 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: From Associated Press reports
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"We had other things of a higher priority," said Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, who added expansion probably won't be possible until at least 1993.
Things of a "higher priority" included the ownership structure of the world champion San Francisco 49ers.
Tagliabue said Thursday he will hold a hearing in New York in mid-June to discuss the existing financial structure of the 49ers.
"I don't have as hysterical a view of the subject like some people do," Tagliabue said.
However, he admitted there was deep concern by some owners.
"We're trying to improve the ownership structure," Tagliabue said. "The owners feel we should be traditional and conservative with our ownership structures."
In 1988, the world champion 49ers became subsidiaries of the DeBartolo Corp., which includes shopping malls, race tracks and real estate. There has been a question about whether the corporation gives the 49ers a financial advantage over other NFL teams in signing players.
Tagliabue said his personal opinion is "that it's doubtful that it does. It wasn't formed until Sept. 30, 1988, and that was after the 49ers had won two Super Bowls with a quarterback named Joe Montana and a coach named Bill Walsh.
"I'm skeptical that it has produced a competitive advantage to the 49ers."
But he said he would give other owners their say.
"The league put in a policy many years ago that an NFL team should be owned only by companies in football," Tagliabue said.
Tagliabue has the power to levy a $500,000 fine and take away draft picks if a team is found in violation of the policy. He hinted that wasn't likely in the 49ers case, saying, "I'm doubtful that the 49ers situation is anti-competitive."
Tagliabue said a specific date in June hadn't been set for the hearing.
Owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. didn't attend this week's meetings at Las Colinas Resort and Club.
On other topics, Tagliabue introduced two doctors who will be consultants for the league. They are Dr. John Lombardo, whose specialty is steroids and performance-enhancement drugs, and Dr. Lawrence S. Brown, who is an adviser on street drugs.
There was also a report on the NFL's relationship with colleges, discussions with the broadcast committee on how to get games down to three hours, and a report on celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the Super Bowl.
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB