49ers Ownership Squabble
The preeminent threat to the San Francisco 49ers' 17-year run as the NFL's most successful franchise may not be the Green Bay Packers or the Denver Broncos, but a reserved, 47-year-old woman who, in the words of one Niners executive, "probably doesn't even know what a football looks like." Or perhaps if an owner-cheerleader whose profligate ways may have damaged the stability of his family business. At any rate, a dispute between Denise DeBartolo York, who recently made a power play to seize permanent control of the 49ers, and her 51-year-old brother, former Niners chairman Eddie DeBartolo, has thrown the San Francisco organization into disarray and cast doubt on the construction of a new stadium that was barely approved by voters last June. Last week NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, making like Richard Dawson, said he might step in to mediate this family feud, which threatens one of pro football's proudest franchises, of which DeBartolo York and DeBartolo each own 45%. The conflict stems from DeBartolo's possible indictment for alleged improprieties in obtaining a riverboat gambling license in Louisiana. Before his legal difficulties became known to the public, DeBartolo, who insists he will be cleared of any wrongdoing, agreed to step aside as chairman while dealing with his legal concerns. He handed titular control of the club to DeBartolo York, who, most observers believed, would cede the day-to-day operation of the Niners to longtime DeBartolo aide-de-camp Carmen Policy. But when two Louisiana papers broke the news of DeBartolo's probable indictment in December (SCORECARD, Dec. 15, 1997), DeBartolo York issued a press release that made the ownership transfer sound permanent. Angered by DeBartolo York's action, DeBartolo, who now seems less at risk of being indicted than he did two months ago, has reportedly balked at signing the agreement that gives her control of the 49ers. Last week Debartolo York stepped up the pressure and fired off another press release, this one saying that the board of directors of the Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation, the giant real estate development firm that is the basis of the family fortune, had voted to delay a $350 million stadium project that was part of the $525 million stadium-mall deal. The release, which cited cost overruns as the reason for the delay, appeared to be part of an effort by DeBartolo York, who chairs the company's board (as her brother did until December), to wrest control of the team from DeBartolo permanently. In her latest release, Debartolo York emphasized that "our board is doing all that it can to minimize any disruption my brother's legal situation is having on the operation of the San Francisco 49ers," and that "my brother is no longer an officer or director of the Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation or any of its subsidiaries." Meanwhile, Tagliabue stepped into the situation, announcing that he would use his authority to designate whether brother or sister should run the Niners. Sources close to the family have been quoted as saying that should DeBartolo York gain control, she might sell the team. DeBartolo York has said only that "statements that I would personally force a sale are inaccurate." But it's hard to imagine that she would maintain the touchy-feely, hand-the-players-a-towel approach that made DeBartolo arguably the most popular owner in the NFL, or the open-checkbook mind-set that helped the 49ers load up on talent and win five Super Bowls. But as much as his players might hope that DeBartolo beats the rap and regains control of the team he loves, the days of Exuberant Eddie might be over.
Penguins Cut Prices
The owners of the Pittsburgh Penguins have every reason to think relocation. Their local TV deal stinks, the Civic Arena is nearly 40 years old, and average attendance this season—for a first-place team, no less—is 15,173, a drop of more than 1,000 from last year and the team's lowest figure since 1987-88. Hence, last week's double-barreled announcement that the Penguins were 1) signing star forward Jaromir Jagr to a four-year, $38 million contract extension and 2) dropping season-ticket prices for next year was nothing less than startling. It's almost axiomatic in sports that when a team signs a star to an expensive contract, it raises the cost of tickets. "The prices were unfair to the fans around here," says Jeff Barrett, the team's vice president of ticket sales, "and we just couldn't put the burden on them anymore." The reduction isn't huge—the most expensive seats, currently $60, will be $57.50 in 1998-99, while the cheapest will be reduced from $18.50 to $17.50—but the message is. By being perceived as fan-friendly, the Penguins hope to gain points with Pittsburghers and add as many as 2,000 season-ticket holders. "I've been in hockey for 14 years and have never seen another team drop its prices," says Penguins president Donn Patton, "but it's the right thing to do."
Rival League Pondered
  
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