
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 27, 1990                   TAG: 9006270488
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: C-6   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: MEMPHIS, TENN.                                LENGTH: Short

MEMPHIS AWARDED WLAF FRANCHISE

The World League of American Football has approved a franchise for Memphis - a city that has sought an NFL team for 20 years.

Frederick W. Smith, president of Memphis-based Federal Express Corp., is considering buying the franchise for an estimated $11 million.

A formal announcement about the franchise could come within a few days, Mayor Dick Hackett said Tuesday.

However, Mike Lynn, vice chairman of the new league, confirmed that Memphis would be in the league. Lynn also is executive vice president and general manager of the NFL's Minnesota Vikings.

The WLAF is a league designed to develop players for the NFL. It is to begin play in March under a 10-game schedule with five home games for each team.

Seven of the 12 franchises have been approved - Birmingham, Ala.; Orlando, Fla.; San Antonio, Texas; Sacramento, Calif.; Montreal; Barcelona; Spain; and Frankfurt, West Germany.

Pepper Rodgers, who has worked to get an NFL expansion team for Memphis, said he and Smith decided "the WLAF gives us something to do for the next three years until the NFL expands. What would we be doing otherwise, twiddling our thumbs?"

Hackett said he was urged to accept the WLAF franchise by Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney and New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson.

"They both enthusiastically endorsed the new league and belief in Memphis, and neither said it would do anything to hurt Memphis' chances for an expansion team," the mayor said.

by CNB