Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 9, 1995 TAG: 9511090072
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: From Associated Press reports
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
``This is more than just a public relations jolt,'' Paul Tagliabue said Wednesday as the owners' two-day meeting ended in Grapevine, Texas. ``It's a deep psychological jolt to fans of the NFL, not just fans of the Cleveland Browns.''
It was clear a lot of owners were more than a little disheartened by Art Modell's decision to move the Browns, a symbol to many of instability in a league that prides itself on being the least troubled of any of the major sports.
But it also seemed clear they would let their friend and longtime owner make a move he feels is financially necessary.
Making matters worse is the fact that waiting in the wings are several other teams that want new cities, or at least new stadiums.
There was little action taking during the meetings - owners decided to put off realignment until after the 1996 season, raised Super Bowl ticket prices to a high of $350 and disposed of a few housekeeping matters. Tagliabue also said it was unlikely there would be expansion until the next century.
But the meetings were dominated by the movement of the Browns, the prospective move of the Oilers from Houston to Nashville, Tenn., and the perceived instability such moves represent.
There also is increasing concern about the difference in revenue-producing ability between ``haves'' and ``have-nots,'' the ``haves'' in this case being teams with good stadiums and favorable lease arrangements as much as teams in major markets.
``The state of the league is very strong,'' Tagliabue said. ``What makes this unfortunate is that it comes at a time when we should be concentrating on what's taking place on the field. In the past, we've dealt with these problems in the off-season.''
It will take more than this off-season to resolve them all.
``Obviously, this is a wakeup call to cities that have sports franchises,'' said Pat Bowlen, owner of the Denver Broncos, who are seeking a new stadium to replace Mile High, where the team leads the NFL in consecutive sellouts.
While Modell had the spotlight, the owners also had to consider the Houston situation. Bud Adams, the Oilers' owner, said he hoped to sign an agreement this weekend that could bind the team to Nashville as early as 1996.
There also is the possibility Tampa Bay could move, perhaps to Orlando, Fla.
REDSKINS SIGN QUERY: The Washington Redskins, in need of healthy bodies at wide receiver, signed free agent Jeff Query. Query spent the past three seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, who cut him this season.
His six-year career totals with Green Bay and Cincinnati are 141 receptions for 1,865 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Redskins, with a bye Sunday, needed receiver help because of injuries that have sidelined Henry Ellard, Michael Westbrook and Leslie Shepherd.
COOKE SAYS `SKINS STAY: Eighty-three-year-old Washington owner Jack Kent Cooke said that he plans to keep the team in the metropolitan area as long as he's around - and after he's gone as well.
``I am dedicated to keeping it here,'' Cooke said during an interview in his Redskin Park office, ``and I am dedicated in my plans for when I am not here any longer that it will remain here.''
Cooke's statement of commitment came amid speculation that he, like Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell, might be enticed with financial incentives to move his team to another city.
NEW KICKER: Tony Zendejas was released by the Niners after making only one of three field-goal attempts in three weeks with the team. He was replaced by Jeff Wilkins, a second-year pro out of Youngstown State who has yet to kick an NFL field goal.
by CNB