The NFL is considering a plan to have a few teams play regularly in Britain to build an overseas following -- part of the league's evaluation about whether a franchise could be permanently based in London.

Commissioner Roger Goodell said Saturday the league is looking into whether such a scenario would "advance our cause here by growing the fan base quicker." He is talking to several teams about becoming regulars in the British capital, a development he thinks would be "very powerful and lead us to what we ultimately would like to do -- have a franchise here in London."

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are making their second trip in three years to Wembley to play the Chicago Bears on Sunday. It is the fifth regular-season game held in London since 2007.

The league decided this month to keep playing in London through at least 2016, with an aim to play at least two games a year.

Goodell said multiple games in Britain could happen as early as next year, and he hopes more teams will agree to make regular trips.

"We want as many teams to come over. We want to see the more popular teams come over," Goodell said at a question-and-answer session with international fans. "Should we focus on just a couple of teams as consistently coming back here to build a fan base around those teams? The Bucs are coming back now for a second time in a five-year period of time. And the idea is, will that allow them to build a fan base quicker?"

Goodell praised the Glazer family, which owns both the Bucs and Premier League team Manchester United, for taking a leading role in promoting the game overseas. He said the Bucs are one of several teams the league has been in discussions with over more London visits.

"Obviously, the Glazer family has an interest over here with Man U," Goodell said. "And I think they want to see the Bucs become a global franchise. And I think that's a great thing for Tampa. I think it's a great thing for the NFL."

The league's ambitions haven't been dampened by a decrease in ticket sales this year. Sunday's game is the first of the five regular-season games at Wembley that is not expected to be a sellout. Organizers say an estimated 75,000 tickets have been sold, with the stadium's capacity about 82,000.

Goodell echoed organizers' claims that the lower sales were caused by the lockout, which meant tickets didn't go on sale until September -- several months later than usual.

"We started late," Goodell said. "But we're thrilled with our ticket sales. We obviously love to sell as many as we have, and we're still selling."

He said the NFL has no plans to play in other European countries in the near future, looking to establish as big a presence as possible in Britain first.

"We want to bring our game to continental Europe. The issue is, we want to make a success out of it in the U.K.," he said. "We think this (London) has got all of the basics that we need to be successful. It's got an advanced fan base, a strong media market, a great stadium. We have a long history here. So all those things contribute, let's make it work. And if we can be successful here, then we can take that model, potentially, to continentalhttp://cms.lixar.net/sbn/index.php?fuseaction=news_items.add Europe."

Goodell was joined by Jerome Bettis, the former Pittsburgh Steelers running back who is one of several NFL stars who have flown to London to promote the game. "The Bus" was given a warm reception by a knowledgeable group of about 100 fans, but said he's had to tweak his nickname this week to fit in.

"I'm a double-decker now," he said.This article was written by Mattias Karen and appeared in The Cleveland Plain Dealer.

The Bucs have expressed an interest in playing a home game in London every year, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Saturday. This article was written by Rick Stroud and appeared in the St. Petersburg Times.

Speaking at a fan forum in London at the Landmark Hotel, Goodell said the league's owners have agreed to play two regular season games in London starting next year.

Goodell said the Bucs, who will play their second game in two years at Wembley Stadium Sunday, are among several teams that have expressed an interest in playing a game in London annually.

"They've shown an interest just by being here two out of three years,'' Goodell said. "I think we want to try to get as many teams back here but teams are interested in coming back consistently or more frequently, we're going to continue to look at that.

"We've talked to several teams about it and Tampa is one of them.''

The Bucs have had 16 of their past 17 games at Raymond James Stadium subject to local television blackouts because they failed to sell out 72 hours prior to kickoff. Goodell said he is sensitive to the reaction of Bucs fans possibly losing a home game each year. But he said that in some ways, it will continue to reduce the price of season tickets and increase demand.

"Sure. I mean, we've had to deal with this in Buffalo, too, where they're playing a game in Toronto,'' Goodell said. "In fact, in some ways, it helped strengthen the team in Buffalo because it makes less tickets available, it's less of a charge for season ticket holders in Buffalo or Tampa, if that was the case. And that's a positive in some ways. So we continue to look at how we do it balancing the interest of the clubs, obviously.''

Goodell said NFL owners decided within the past two weeks to play multiple games at Wembley Stadium and the only question is to determine whether to play those games in consecutive weeks or space them apart.

"That's a debate we're having internally about what the best structure is,'' Goodell said.

"I would expect multiple games here as early as next year.

"We are very focused on having multiple games here and we think we can be successful. Our audience has grown dramatically. I think it's doubled since we started a regular game series here in the U.K., and that's based on ratings around the U.K...We want to bring our game to continental Europe. The issue is we want to make a success out of the U.K. We think this has all the basics we need to be successful. It's got a great fan base, an advanced media market and a great stadium. We have a long history here. So with all of those things...let's make it work, and if we can be successful here, we can take that model potentially to continental Europe.''

The Glazer family, which owns both the Bucs and the Manchester United soccer club, has been at the forefront of wanting to brand their NFL franchise globally.

"One of the things that's changed over the last five years when we changed our strategy to bring regular season games here is the amount of interest of teams to come here,'' Goodell said. "They want to come here to play. We're actually now in a position where we're telling a lot of teams 'sorry, maybe next year.' That's a good thing for fans I think because we'll see more teams coming over here and exposing their teams to the marketplace.

"The Buccaneers have taken a real interest in it. Obviously, the Glazer family has an interest over here with Man U and I think they recognize that the growth of the league is important and they've been leaders in this area so they've stepped up in that position. And I think they want the Bucs to become a global franchise and I think it's a great thing for Tampa and I think it's a great thing for the NFL.''

Earlier this week, Bucs general manager Mark Dominik said he had not had any discussions with the Glazers about playing a regular season game in London every year. But he certainly didn't sound opposed to it.

He noted that the travel was only 1 1/2 hours longer than a trip to the west coast. This year, the Bucs arrived in London on Monday, gave the players their normal Tuesday off to tour the city and then began practicing 45 minutes away at their hotel in Bagshot, England. The arrangement allowed players to bond and adjust to the time zone easier than in 2009, when the team arrived in London on Friday. This article was written by Rick Stroud and appeared in the St. Petersburg Times.

1. In 1988, the Redskins traded quarterback Jay Schroeder to the Raiders for offensive tackle Jim Lachey – one of Bobby Beathard’s brainier moves. The Redskins also received two ’89 draft picks in the swap, a No. 4 and a No. 5.

When the ’89 draft rolled around, the Raiders were sitting with the 11th pick of the fourth round (95th overall) and the 10th pick of the fifth (122nd). So Davis called Beathard and reminded him he owed the Redskins a pick in the fourth and fifth rounds, according to the terms of the deal, but not necessarily the Raiders’ pick.

“If you want my picks,” he said, “you have to give me something in return. Otherwise, I’ll trade down in those rounds as far as I can, and those are the picks you’ll get.

Bobby just laughed and said, “Go ahead, Al. Trade away.”

Davis started dialing. When he was done, he’d traded down in the fourth round, from 95 to 110, and picked up a six-rounder (165). He’d also traded down in the fifth, from 122 to 139, and picked up an eighth-rounder (223).

He then packaged the No. 6 and No. 8 to move up in the sixth round and draft a running back out of North Dakota State named Doug Lloyd. Lloyd played exactly one game in the NFL, in 1991, and neither carried the ball nor caught any passes. That’s what Al got for all his maneuvering: 60 minutes of special teams duty, presumably, by a guy who never suited up in the league again. (Now you know why Beathard laughed.)

But, hey: waste not, want not.

2. It’s several hours after the Raiders’ rout of the Redskins in Super Bowl XVIII – around midnight, maybe a little past. The Washington Times sports staff is hunkered down in a Denny’s near the Tampa airport, getting some much-needed sustenance. Suddenly, there’s a stir over by the entrance. Heads raise. Necks crane.

Al Davis has just walked through the door with movie star James Garner – a Raiders fan of the stand-on-the-sideline type – and a few other members of his entourage. Davis might be a three-time Super Bowl winner but, populist that he is, he’s grabbing a bite in an all-night diner (owned – who knew? – by future Panthers owner Jerry Richardson) instead of clinking champagne glasses in a penthouse overlooking the city.

There’s a smattering of applause as Davis’ group makes its way to its table. Plenty of females – waitresses and customers both – have their picture taken with Garner, and he and Al scribble a couple of autographs. Finally, things settle down and the Raiders owner orders some food.

A short time later, Tom Jackson, then one of the Times’ columnists, utters the immortal words:

“Al just put ketchup on his pasta.”
This article was written by Al Davis and appeared in the Washington Times.

The Miami Dolphins may want the land surrounding their football stadium to be considered for a casino license, and have dispatched a lobbyist to preserve that option should Florida lawmakers approve a landmark expansion of gambling.

Also on Friday, the Miami Beach Convention Center emerged as a potential casino site. City and county officials said developers looking for ways to snag coveted gambling licenses have floated the idea of razing the complex and remaking it as a modern convention center combined with a casino resort.

“That has been talked about. People have said maybe this is a place to put” a casino, Miami Beach Mayor Matti Bower said. “To me, this is a distraction from the real job of getting a new convention center.”

Both sites bring extensive complications. The National Football League prohibits any ties to gambling, while Miami Beach, which owns the convention center, has a policy opposing gambling. For years, the city has been exploring a major overhaul of the convention center that would include a hotel.

Despite the obstacles, the addition of two new potential casino locations — joining land near the Donald Trump hotels and condo towers in Sunny Isles Beach, Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Miami Herald headquarters in Miami and an area in Miami’s Park West neighborhood — shows just how quickly the notion of gambling has scrambled South Florida’s real estate ambitions.

The Dolphins team itself couldn’t own or operate a casino because of the NFL rules. But holding companies tied to the team and its majority owner, Stephen Ross, own large tracts of land around the stadium, just south of the Broward-Dade line. Ross has always envisioned the area as an entertainment destination beyond sports, and last year announced plans for a 20-acre water park across from Sun Life Stadium.

Should the Dolphins succeed in making its land eligible for a casino license, Ross could sell or lease the land and enjoy the profits as well as spillover traffic and spending from gamblers traveling to a casino owned by someone else.

State Rep. Erik Fresen, the Miami legislator drafting a bill that would grant South Florida licenses for three casino resorts, said he has met with Dolphins lobbyist Ron Book on the matter. He described the Dolphins as “interested” in casinos and wanting to protect the team’s interest in case Florida approves large gambling resorts.

“I think they may have some interest, and may be petitioning for a license,’’ he said in an interview Friday at a Coral Gables luncheon of the Beacon Council, Miami-Dade’s economic development agency.

In a statement, the Dolphins emphasized the team itself would not pursue a casino. But the team also suggested it wanted to preserve its site as a player in the gambling debate.

The three-paragraph statement stated: “NFL regulations prohibit any direct involvement by the team and/or its owners in the operation of a gaming facility so neither Steve Ross or the Dolphins have any plans to enter the casino business.

“As it pertains to the pending legislation on this matter in Tallahassee, we support all measures that add value and job growth to our local and state economy.

“We have engaged our lobbyist, Ron Book, to represent our interest in Tallahassee on this matter to ensure that — should the legislation be passed and opportunities arise — Miami Gardens is positioned to compete for casino operators who may have an interest in a North Dade location, an area that is certainly in dire need of pursuing new economic development opportunities.”

Book said Friday that the more than 100 acres around the stadium are “ready to go” for a casino resort, and that gambling companies would be interested in operating there. He said it was his responsibility to protect the Dolphins’ interest in the real estate the team owns, even if the team itself couldn’t open a casino.

“Ron Book, who works for the Dolphins, is trying to make sure that if a bill does pass, my client has a property that is available for some sort of destination facility,” Book said. The gambling industry refers to large casino hotels as “destination resorts.”

Book added: “There are lot of people in the casino business that will see the value of a property that is ready to go. Those same people in the casino industry will see the value in the entertainment possibilities that stadium offers.”

It’s not known if a developer or casino company is focusing on the Miami Beach site. The idea of a casino there was first floated in April by mayoral candidate Steve Berke, a comedian and former reality star.

Though barely a notion at the start of 2011, casino gambling rocketed to the top of the state legislative agenda in May when Southeast Asia’s largest casino operator, Genting Group, paid $236 million for The Miami Herald site on the Miami waterfront. It later announced plans to build what could be the largest casino in the world, promising tens of thousands of jobs and a tourist attraction like nothing South Florida has ever seen.

Critics see the push as a dangerous turning point for Miami at a time when the city’s urban core is emerging as a popular dining and arts district. They warn a Genting casino and one Sands from Las Vegas wants in nearby Park West would bring a long list of woes, from sucking customers from existing businesses to paralyzing traffic.

But as hinted in the Dolphins’ statement, supporters point to new employment for a beleaguered economy.

In his remarks at the Beacon Council lunch, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez touted casinos’ ability to bring “viable job creation” to a county where unemployment sits at above 11 percent.

Dolphins CEO Mike Dee declined to be interviewed on the casino matter. His office released the statement Friday after Fresen made his comments.

Fresen said he did not know if the Dolphins would pursue a casino, and that the team mostly wanted to monitor the legislation. He said he expected to file his much-anticipated bill as early as Monday. This article was written by Douglas Hanks and appeared in The Palm Beach Post.

The NFL is considering a plan to have a few teams play regularly in Britain to build an overseas following -- part of the league's evaluation about whether a franchise could be permanently based in London.

Commissioner Roger Goodell said Saturday the league is looking into whether such a scenario would "advance our cause here by growing the fan base quicker." He is talking to several teams about becoming regulars in the British capital, a development he thinks would be "very powerful and lead us to what we ultimately would like to do -- have a franchise here in London."

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are making their second trip in three years to Wembley to play the Chicago Bears on Sunday. It is the fifth regular-season game held in London since 2007.

The league decided this month to keep playing in London through at least 2016, with an aim to play at least two games a year.

Goodell said multiple games in Britain could happen as early as next year, and he hopes more teams will agree to make regular trips.

"We want as many teams to come over. We want to see the more popular teams come over," Goodell said at a question-and-answer session with international fans. "Should we focus on just a couple of teams as consistently coming back here to build a fan base around those teams? The Bucs are coming back now for a second time in a five-year period of time. And the idea is, will that allow them to build a fan base quicker?"

Goodell praised the Glazer family, which owns both the Bucs and Premier League team Manchester United, for taking a leading role in promoting the game overseas. He said the Bucs are one of several teams the league has been in discussions with over more London visits.

"Obviously, the Glazer family has an interest over here with Man U," Goodell said. "And I think they want to see the Bucs become a global franchise. And I think that's a great thing for Tampa. I think it's a great thing for the NFL."

The league's ambitions haven't been dampened by a decrease in ticket sales this year. Sunday's game is the first of the five regular-season games at Wembley that is not expected to be a sellout. Organizers say an estimated 75,000 tickets have been sold, with the stadium's capacity about 82,000.

Goodell echoed organizers' claims that the lower sales were caused by the lockout, which meant tickets didn't go on sale until September -- several months later than usual.

"We started late," Goodell said. "But we're thrilled with our ticket sales. We obviously love to sell as many as we have, and we're still selling."

He said the NFL has no plans to play in other European countries in the near future, looking to establish as big a presence as possible in Britain first.

"We want to bring our game to continental Europe. The issue is, we want to make a success out of it in the U.K.," he said. "We think this (London) has got all of the basics that we need to be successful. It's got an advanced fan base, a strong media market, a great stadium. We have a long history here. So all those things contribute, let's make it work. And if we can be successful here, then we can take that model, potentially, to continental Europe."

Goodell was joined by Jerome Bettis, the former Pittsburgh Steelers running back who is one of several NFL stars who have flown to London to promote the game. "The Bus" was given a warm reception by a knowledgeable group of about 100 fans, but said he's had to tweak his nickname this week to fit in.

"I'm a double-decker now," he said. This article was written by Mattias Karen and appeared in The Detroit Free Press.

It's not a new concept, it's being dismissed by the Vikings, and it's coming at the 11th hour, but two lawmakers Friday proposed a plan they say will restore "fiscal sanity" to the debate over a new stadium: Give the Vikings the Metrodome in return for a 25-year contract to play in Minnesota.

"The Vikings could retrofit this facility in any way they see fit," said state Rep. Linda Runbeck, R-Circle Pines, chairwoman of the property and local tax subcommittee.

She pitched the plan at a Capitol news conference with state Sen. John Marty of Roseville, the ranking DFLer on the Senate Taxes Committee.

It wasn't the only Minneapolis stadium plan being promoted Friday. Landowners at the downtown Farmers' Market site said they're nearing agreement on land assembly as well.

The emergence of both proposals was a sign that Gov. Mark Dayton's deadline for plans by the end of next week is spurring some with stadium ideas to show their hands.

The Dome idea wouldn't require public money, its sponsors said, and it would allow taxpayers to recoup the value of the Metrodome site from property taxes paid by the team.

The Vikings would keep all revenue from events at the stadium and would pay the operating costs, estimated at $12 million per year.

But the team said the plan a "nonstarter."

"This isn't the first time the idea has been discussed, but even stadium opponents understand the facility no longer works for the team, our fans or the state," the Vikings said.

"These unrealistic ideas prevent serious discussion about the only viable stadium plan in Arden Hills."
Dayton said Wednesday that he hadn't heard the plan was being presented again.

But, he said, "at this point, I would say that's not going to really change the financial equation."

John Stiles, spokesman for Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, said the mayor is open to all ideas but hadn't seen the Dome proposal and couldn't comment. Rybak is scheduled to meet with Dayton on Monday.

Marty said he and Runbeck knew initial reaction to their idea would be negative but that people will come to see the deal is fair.

"People change their minds," Marty said. "Nonstarter? Last week, Christian Ponder was a nonstarter."

He said the offer to the Vikings is comparable to what they would get at either of the Los Angeles sites being talked about as potential locations for the team.

The Vikings are pursuing a $1.1 billion stadium on 430 acres in Arden Hills. It would be financed with $350 million from Ramsey County, $300 million from the state and at least $420 million from the team.

Marty said he opposes using public money for a stadium and would object to an idea being floated around the Capitol to use Legacy Amendment funds - from a statewide sales tax that voters approved in 2008.

Dayton has said he wants final stadium proposals in writing by the end of next week so he can prepare his own recommendations by Nov. 7, with a special session potentially to follow Nov. 21-23.

Marty questioned the need for the rush, particularly when he said public opinion is running strongly against using public money for a stadium and the $650 million-plus contribution in Minnesota "would be the largest taxpayer subsidy of any sports team in history, period."

Jeff Anderson, the Vikings' director of corporate communications, said he couldn't verify that claim.

It's "probably accurate" that it's the largest public contribution for an NFL stadium, he said, but the Vikings' owners also are putting up the third-largest private contribution for an NFL stadium.

Runbeck said she doesn't think the Arden Hills plan has enough support in the Legislature to be passed.

"I don't think anyone wants a special session, frankly, before Thanksgiving....We don't even know then what the deficit might be," she said. The next state economic forecast is expected in early December.

"We don't want to take up a stadium," Runbeck said. "I think I speak for 90 percent of the Legislature. We don't think this merits the kind of urgency that would put it on top of everything else. I mean, this is the entertainment industry.

"Why are we considering $650 million to help the entertainment industry? Please."

Meanwhile, Chuck Leer, a Minneapolis real estate developer who represents landowners of the 34-acre Farmers' Market site in Minneapolis, said, "We think we've got critical mass to make land assembly work."

Leer said he represents 10 owners who have 14 of the 21 parcels at the site near Target Field.

He doesn't have commitments from the owners of five parcels, but he said no one has opposed his efforts and expects he'd be able to get buy-in from everyone within a few months.

The Farmers' Market plan has been around for months, but the landowners are coming forward again because of the deadline announced by Dayton, Leer said.

"There's this urgency now," he said, and the landowners believe there needs to be a downtown site in the mix and that the Farmers' Market plan offers the greatest public benefit.

None of it makes any difference to the Vikings, however.

"There's one viable proposal; it's Arden Hills," team vice president Lester Bagley said Friday.This article was written by Doug Belden and appeared in the St. Paul Pioneer-Press.

Necesitamos mas Football y Varsity Travel te llevan al FOOTBALL TOUR 2012, 10 días a puro Football, juegos de la NFL, NCAA y High School, en el mes de abril ya estaremos viendo como serán los juegos de NFL para empezar a armar el cronograma del viaje, estaremos informando las fechas del FOOTBALL TOUR 2012 para fines de abril.

Las imagenes, logos, fechas y precios son a modo ilustrativo y no son validos para el FOOTBALL TOUR 2012.

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NECESITAMOS MAS FOOTBALL and VARSITY TRAVEL take you to our 2012 FOOTBALL TOUR. Come with us and enjoy 10 great days of pure football: NFL, NCAA and high school games. Tour dates will be available in April once the 2012 season calendar comes out.

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With decision time rapidly approaching for the Minnesota Vikings' Arden Hills stadium plan, a longtime Minneapolis developer says that the Farmers Market site near the Twins ballpark is more viable than ever as an alternative home for a new stadium.

Chuck Leer said that nine of 15 property owners in the Farmers Market area are interested in selling. The remaining owners are discussing sales prospects so that a 34-acre stadium site could be assembled between Interstate 94 and Target Field in the North Loop neighborhood.

"We're hoping that people will see again that this is an excellent site. With this back on the table, maybe we can figure out a way to make this happen," Leer said.

The goal is to consolidate a land sale and make the site an attractive option, said Leer, who is representing the owners in the matter. The site has been vigorously promoted since spring by investor Bruce Lambrecht and planner David Albersman, whose slide presentation has been seen by several business and political leaders.

Leer is being assisted by former Minneapolis City Council president Jackie Cherryhomes, who also represents the interests of some of the owners. "We have an opportunity to do something outstanding. Shame on us if we don't," she said.

The Vikings' vice president of stadium development, Lester Bagley, declined an invitation to meet with Leer and reiterated Friday that the team considers the Ramsey County proposal "the only viable plan on the table. ... We are 100 percent focused on the Arden Hills site."

The team and Ramsey County have agreed to build a $1.1 billion stadium on the 260-acre former Army ammunition plant site, a deal that would be the focus of a special legislative session that Gov. Mark Dayton plans before Thanksgiving.

"Minneapolis has been pretty clear that they're not going to harpoon Arden Hills, but if Arden Hills shouldn't work they'll have a proposal ready to go," said Ted Mondale, chair of the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission.

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and City Council President Barbara Johnson will discuss stadium prospects Monday with Dayton, who has kept the door open to Minneapolis even while working with the Vikings on Arden Hills.

Rybak and Johnson prefer an $895 million stadium at the Metrodome, but in the last few weeks have said they're open to the Farmers Market site.

Johnson said that Leer is "trying to mitigate the potential downside of that site, which is multiple owners and unpredictability about the cost of acquiring all those folks. That's a positive step."

Leer said the Farmers Market site makes more sense than Arden Hills in terms of the amenities already there -- transit, parking, bars and restaurants. The Farmers Market, a popular draw, would be incorporated into the stadium complex. But the plan wouldn't touch Sharing and Caring Hands, the charity for the poor and homeless run by Mary Jo Copeland.

The interested owners hold 19 acres, Leer said. If you add 5.3 acres owned by Minneapolis and 2.7 acres of right-of-way, 27 of the 34 acres on the site are available, he said.

Leer is chairman of 2020 Partners, a downtown stakeholders group that recently called on the Vikings to build in Minneapolis. He said 2020 is not involved in his Farmers Market effort.

Scott Barriball, who owns the Farmers Market Annex across the street from the city market, said a new stadium on the site is "an exciting opportunity that ties this part of town together with the ballpark. ... If you have a vision of what a Vikings stadium would look like, with the Farmers Market and light rail, that's a real progressive big-city kind of thing."

The bipartisan legislative duo of liberal John Marty and conservative Linda Runbeck offered another Vikings stadium idea Friday, proposing to give the Metrodome to the team to do with it as it will -- play in it, renovate it or sell it and build a new one on another metro site.

The idea of turning over the Dome to the Vikings is not a new one, and team officials instantly called it "a nonstarter."

Marty, referring to the Vikings rookie just named the starting quarterback Sunday against Green Bay, quipped: "Last week, Christian Ponder was a nonstarter."

Under the proposal, the Vikings would get the Dome for free and sign a 25-year contract to run it. The stadium's assessed value is just under $42 million, but that money would be returned to the public in the form of annual taxes that the team would pay on the property.

The Vikings would replace the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission as the Dome's manager, assuming all operating costs but also keeping revenues from concessions and other non-NFL events.

Marty is a DFL state senator from Roseville and Runbeck is a Republican state representative from Circle Pines. Both represent constituents in Ramsey County, which under the Arden Hills plan would impose a half-percent sales tax on residents.

"Why should taxpayers be asked to support a duplicate [stadium]?" Runbeck said. "We want the Vikings to stay here, but a more modest proposal will be better all the way around." This article was written by Kevin Duchschere and appeared in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

Former Buffalo Bills great Joe DeLamielleure, who has ripped the NFL and the Players Association for neglecting needy retired players, alleges in a federal lawsuit filed last week that the league and its union have conspired to keep his officially licensed jersey out of the marketplace.
DeLamielleure, the Hall of Fame guard who was O.J. Simpson's lead blocker in the early 1970s, says in the suit filed in Manhattan on Thursday that the defendants are trying to keep him from collecting royalty payments resulting from the sale of his official jersey.

The suit, which seeks more than $75,000 in damages and legal fees, also names NFL licensee Reebok and Players, Inc., the union's licensing arm, as defendants.

Delamielleure, a six-time Pro Bowler, says in the lawsuit that Reebok sent him a contract to create a Bills jersey with his name on the back, but would manufacture the item only after he sent the company a "large up-front fee" for production.

"Other retired players who had much less noteworthy NFL careers did not have to pay Reebok a large up-front fee to have their jerseys produced and sold," the lawsuit alleges.

Delamielleure's attorney, Justin Parafinczuk, declined comment when asked if he thought the conspiracy alleged in the suit was sparked by his client's criticism of the NFL and its union.

Gene Upshaw, the former Players Association chief, threatened to break Delamielleure's neck after the retired Bills' star criticized the union for neglecting indigent retirees.

This article was written by Michael O'Keeffe and appeared in New York Daily News.

In case you're wondering, don't: NFL TV ratings tower over the MLB playoffs.

An example: Fox's NFL pregame show Sunday got a bigger overnight rating than any of TBS' MLB playoff games so far.

Even in cities with MLB playoff teams, NFL teams dominate. While the Green Bay Packers' one-sided win over the Denver Broncos drew 44.1% of Milwaukee households, the Brewers' playoff game against Arizona Sunday drew just 20.3%. And in Phoenix , that Sunday Diamondbacks-Brewers game drew 5.7% of households — while the Giants-Cardinals NFL game drew 21.5% of local households.

After being hit by bad luck with Tigers-Yankees being rained out Friday, a night when MLB faced little competition from football, TBS MLB playoff games are averaging 1.9% of U.S. households — down 27% from the first three days of last year's playoffs.

In the NFL, Fox's single-game NFL Sunday regionalized coverage, led by Detroit-Dallas, drew a 14.9 overnight — up 25% from last year's comparable action.

That overnight, translating to 14.9% of TV households in the 56 urban markets measured for overnights, topped weekend sports ratings. CBS drew a 13.8 overnight for regionalized coverage led by Broncos-Packers — down 14% from last year — while NBC's Jets-Ravens game got a 12.7 overnight — down 11% from a Bears-Giants game last year.

One rating point equals 1% of the USA 's 77 million overnight TV homes in Nielsen Media Research's 56 selected major markets. Cable rating converted to broadcast equivalent.

Sources: CBS, ESPN NBC, ABC, Nielsen Media Research
Event
Day, time (p.m. ET)
Rating (households)
Outlet

NFL main game: Detroit Lions vs. Dallas Cowboys
Sunday, 1
14.9 (11.5 million)
Fox

Comparison: Up 25% from comparable coverage last year.

Spin on the spin: Fox also lucks out because this year it has the Lions' Thanksgiving home game, which is alternated annually between Fox and CBS—and has a Lions team, playing the Packers that day, that should be a national attraction.

NFL main game: Denver Broncos vs. Green Bay Packers
Sunday, 4:15
13.6 (10.5 million)
CBS

Comparison: Down 15% from regional coverage last year featuring the Washington Redskins vs. the Philadelphia Eagles.

Spin on the spin: The Packers are a big TV draw, but the Broncos could not keep the game very close.

NFL: New York Jets vs. Baltimore Ravens
Sunday, 8:30
12.7 (9.8 million)
NBC

Comparison: Down 11% from a Chicago Bears-New York Giants game last year.

Spin on the spin: Down from last year, but it still won the night in prime-time TV.

College football: Alabama vs. Florida
Saturday, 8
4.7 (3.6 million)
CBS

Comparison: Down 8% from a game between the same teams last year.

Spin on the spin: A blowout 38-10 victory vs. the Gators was good for the Crimson Tide's national title chances but bad for the ratings.

Event
Day, time (p.m. ET)
Rating (households)
Outlet

NFL main game: Detroit Lions vs. Dallas Cowboys
Sunday, 1
14.9 (11.5 million)
Fox

Comparison: Up 25% from comparable coverage last year.

Spin on the spin: Fox also lucks out because this year it has the Lions' Thanksgiving home game, which is alternated annually between Fox and CBS—and has a Lions team, playing the Packers that day, that should be a national attraction.

NFL main game: Denver Broncos vs. Green Bay Packers
Sunday, 4:15
13.6 (10.5 million)
CBS

Comparison: Down 15% from regional coverage last year featuring the Washington Redskins vs. the Philadelphia Eagles.

Spin on the spin: The Packers are a big TV draw, but the Broncos could not keep the game very close.

NFL: New York Jets vs. Baltimore Ravens
Sunday, 8:30
12.7 (9.8 million)
NBC

Comparison: Down 11% from a Chicago Bears-New York Giants game last year.

Spin on the spin: Down from last year, but it still won the night in prime-time TV.

College football: Alabama vs. Florida
Saturday, 8
4.7 (3.6 million)
CBS

Comparison: Down 8% from a game between the same teams last year.

Spin on the spin: A blowout 38-10 victory vs. the Gators was good for the Crimson Tide's national title chances but bad for the ratings.


Event
Day, time (p.m. ET)
Rating (households)
Outlet

NFL main game: Detroit Lions vs. Dallas Cowboys
Sunday, 1
14.9 (11.5 million)
Fox

Comparison: Up 25% from comparable coverage last year.

Spin on the spin: Fox also lucks out because this year it has the Lions' Thanksgiving home game, which is alternated annually between Fox and CBS—and has a Lions team, playing the Packers that day, that should be a national attraction.

NFL main game: Denver Broncos vs. Green Bay Packers
Sunday, 4:15
13.6 (10.5 million)
CBS

Comparison: Down 15% from regional coverage last year featuring the Washington Redskins vs. the Philadelphia Eagles.

Spin on the spin: The Packers are a big TV draw, but the Broncos could not keep the game very close.

NFL: New York Jets vs. Baltimore Ravens
Sunday, 8:30
12.7 (9.8 million)
NBC

Comparison: Down 11% from a Chicago Bears-New York Giants game last year.

Spin on the spin: Down from last year, but it still won the night in prime-time TV.

College football: Alabama vs. Florida
Saturday, 8
4.7 (3.6 million)
CBS

Comparison: Down 8% from a game between the same teams last year.

Spin on the spin: A blowout 38-10 victory vs. the Gators was good for the Crimson Tide's national title chances but bad for the ratings.
Sources ( USA Today’s Michael Hiestand)

Despite the 34-17 blowout that saw the Baltimore Ravens defeat the New York Jets, Sunday Night Football was the most-watched program on Sunday night for the fourth straight week and the No. 1 show of the week in the key advertising demographic of Adults 18-49, according to official national data released today by The Nielsen Company.

The game drew 18.9 million viewers, 10 percent lower than last year’s Week 4 game (Bears-Giants, 20.9 million), but up three percent from the 2009 Week 4 game (Chargers-Steelers, 18.4 million). Jets-Ravens marked the second most-watched Week 4 game in the six-year history of SNF.

The household rating for Jets-Ravens of 11.5/18 is down eight percent from last year’s Week 4 game (12.5/20) but up five percent from the 2009 Week 4 game (11.0/18).

The Adult 18-49 rating of 7.7 ranked Sunday Night Football as the No. 1 primetime program of the week in the key advertiser demographic.

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL VIEWERSHIP FOR WEEK 4 GAMES:

2011 Jets-Ravens 18.9 million
2010 Bears-Giants 20.9 million
2009 Chargers-Steelers 18.4 million
2008 Eagles-Bears 17.3 million
2007 Eagles-Giants 15.0 million
2006 Seahawks-Bears 16.9 million

SNF STARTS STRONG: Through the first four weeks of the NFL season (four Sunday’s and one Thursday), Sunday Night Football is averaging 23.2 million viewers, the most through this point in the season in the six-year history of SNF.

The four-week average household rating of 13.9/22 is one percent higher than last year’s 13.7/23 and 10 percent ahead of 2009 (12.6/21) through the same point in the season.

· The critically acclaimed Football Night in America is averaging 9.5 million viewers and a household rating of 5.8/10 (7:30-8:15 p.m. ET) through the first four weeks, up 10 percent and nine percent, respectively, from last year’s first four weeks.

SNF IS NO. 1 SHOW OF SUNDAY NIGHT AGAIN: The Jets-Ravens broadcast was the No. 1 show of Sunday night in households, total viewers and all key adult and male demographics (excluding NFL overruns).

· Sunday Night Football powered NBC to a Sunday night primetime win, averaging 16.6 million viewers from 7:30-11 p.m., 19 percent ahead of second-place CBS (13.9 million), which benefited from an NFL overrun.

SNF 5-FOR-5: With 18.9 million viewers for Jets-Ravens, Sunday Night Football starts the season five-for-five versus its competition. This continues a trend for SNF dominating Sunday nights. Last season, “Sunday Night Football” was the No. 1 show all 18 nights (100 percent) vs. its competition (16 Sundays, one Tuesday and one Thursday).

2011 – 5 of 5 (Four Sundays, one Thursday – 100 percent)
2010 – 18 of 18 (16 Sundays, one Tuesday and one Thursday – 100 percent)
2009 - 15 of 16 Sundays (94 percent)
2008 - 13 of 16 Sundays (81 percent)
2007 - 11 of 16 Sundays (69 percent)
2006 - nine of 16 Sundays (56 percent)

TOP 10 METERED MARKETS FOR RAVENS-JETS:

1. Baltimore , 38.8/56
2. New Orleans , 18.8/26
3. Las Vegas , 18.3/29
4. Richmond , 18.2/28
5. San Diego , 16.9/29
T6. Washington D.C. , 15.9/26
T6. Indianapolis , 15.9/25
T6. Albuquerque , 15.9/23
9. Dayton , 15.8/23
10. Nashville , 15.7/23

* New York placed 11th among metered markets with a 15.4/24

Tuesday, Governor Bobby Jindal joined Saints Owner Tom Benson and Ernst Leib, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA to announce a 10-year agreement reached between the NFL Saints and Mercedes-Benz USA to name the recently renovated Louisiana Superdome, the “Mercedes-Benz Superdome.”

Governor Jindal said, “This announcement today means we are gaining the partnership of a world-class company while generating savings for Louisiana taxpayers. This partnership agreement is estimated to significantly reduce or eliminate taxpayer funding currently spent to support the Saints. From a place of last refuge in Hurricane Katrina, to a facility where we recently invested $85 million for improvements to help attract corporate sponsorship from world-renown Mercedes-Benz USA, the Superdome is a symbol of our State’s success in not only rebuilding, but building back better than ever. Louisiana is making a comeback and the nation is taking notice.”

New Orleans Saints Owner Tom Benson said, “I am thrilled to be able to announce a winning and long-term partnership between the Saints and Mercedes-Benz. The Mercedes-Benz brand represents the very best in its industry and we believe that it is a perfect fit for this stadium, one of the world’s greatest sporting venues. We felt strongly it was essential that if we were to offer the name of our building to a company, it would be one that all of our fans and the state of Louisiana would be proud of. The investment being made by a premier international brand who believes in ‘the best or nothing,’ is a tremendous compliment to all of those who worked so hard to make the stadium what it is today.”

The new Mercedes-Benz Superdome name marks the first time the legendary New Orleans sports and exhibition stadium has been linked with a naming rights sponsor. The Mercedes-Benz Superdome, known internationally for its rich tradition of hosting some of the world’s largest sporting and entertainment events, including six Super Bowls, four NCAA Final Fours, three BCS National Championship games and numerous legendary Sugar Bowls, recently completed a six-year, $336 million renovation project that has positioned the stadium as a premier destination for major events for decades to come. The Mercedes-Benz Superdome is poised to add to its great legacy as host to the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, the 2012 NCAA Final Four and the 2013 Super Bowl.

Saints Owner/Executive Vice President Rita Benson LeBlanc said, “The entire Saints organization is excited to be forging this partnership between such iconic brands. We believe Mercedes-Benz, the New Orleans Saints and the Superdome are all the absolute best in our respective classes. The innovation, attention to detail and quality exemplified by Mercedes-Benz were also the guiding principles in the State’s renovation of our stadium. This agreement will allow us to build an even stronger legacy for the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and it illustrates that the brand of the Saints, New Orleans and Louisiana have never been stronger. We look forward to sharing the passion of our great fans, visitors and viewers from all over the world with Mercedes-Benz.”

President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA Ernst Lieb said, “The joining of the Mercedes-Benz brand with the world-class Saints organization and the Superdome, an iconic destination which has undergone an incredible transformation over the past six years, is a significant moment for us along with the City of New Orleans and the State of Louisiana. Our commitment over the next decade is to the Saints fans, team, and this famous community as it flourishes beyond anyone’s expectations.”

The New Orleans Saints were granted the right to market the naming rights of the Louisiana Superdome as part of their recent 15-year lease extension with the state of Louisiana, the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District (LSED) and SMG. The team put the search to secure naming rights on a fast track during the 2011 off-season and came together very quickly in the last two weeks. The Saints’ new naming rights agreement with Mercedes-Benz is expected to significantly reduce or eliminate state inducements to the Saints.

Madonna will perform during the Super Bowl XLVI halftime show at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on February 5, sources close to the event told SBNation.com on Monday. A spokesperson for the NFL declined to comment.

As you'd expect for an artist with her mass appeal, this isn't the first time Madonna's been approached about performing at the Super Bowl. In 1998, it was heavily rumored that Madonna would perform at Super Bowl XXXIII in Miami, only to have the plans fall apart before a deal could be reached. Likewise, Madonna was reportedly to headline the halftime show for Super Bowl XXXV, two years later, but but backed out at the last minute.
None of which is to say that she's a stranger to the Super Bowl spotlight. As recently as 2008, Madonna's music was used in a commercial for SunSilk hair products, for which the singer was paid $10 million, according to Rolling Stone. So where does Madonna fit in the lineage of Super Bowl halftime performers?

Let's take a look at the past 10 years.

2002 - U2
2003 - Shania Twain, No Doubt, Sting
2004 - Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake
2005 - Paul McCartney
2006 - The Rolling Stones
2007 - Prince
2008 - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
2009 - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
2010 - The Who
2011 - The Black Eyed Peas, Usher, and Slash
Now we can add Madonna to that list. For the moment, the biggest question is how much freedom she gets from the NFL. Madonna of the '80s and '90s would've been a pretty interesting experiment at the Super Bowl, as no female artist this side of Janet Jackson would've been more likely to push the envelope as far as costumes, themes, and stageplay is concerned.

After the debacle with Janet Jackson in 2004, old school Madonna would've been far too risky for the NFL. But today's Madonna is a mom more famous for charity than lack of chastity, and a natural fit for the NFL's biggest stage, especially considering the direction the NFL's taken in the years since 2004's controversy.

She may not match Prince, but she's better than Paul McCartney, and certainly an upgrade over 2011's apocalyptic amalgam of the Black Eyed Peas, a half-dead Slash, and Usher. So, if we can accept that the NFL's not going to give us any relevant new music (like, say, Jay-Z and Kanye West), then fans could certainly do worse than Madonna, right?

The Super Bowl and its halftime show will be televised live on NBC on February 5th, 2012. Stay tuned for further comments from Madonna and/or the NFL as the news emerges.

This article was written by Andrew Sharp and appeared in Sports Blogs Nation.

Doug Collins, the Green Bay Packers' director of security, apologized Monday for the long lines fans had to endure to get into Lambeau Field on Sunday. He said the team and the Green Bay Police Department would study a range of options to get it right for the next home game.

"I apologize for the process we had," Collins said. "But we will learn from it."

On Sunday, thousands of fans were unable to get into the stadium in time for the 3:15 p.m. kickoff. This season, the National Football League ordered teams to enhance security. The Packers and police elected to use hand-held metal-detecting wands on fans entering the stadium instead of a full pat-down search.

Sunday's game marked the first time the wands were used. An inadequate number of security personnel, particularly at the time many fans tried to get in, and the fact the game was for Milwaukee season-seat holders who may have arrived late exacerbated the problem.

Team spokesman Aaron Popkey said all gates were clear with 9:30 left in the first quarter.

Popkey said officials stopped using the hand-held detectors at 2:45 p.m., one-half hour before kickoff. Instead, fans were patted down, Popkey said.

Collins said the Packers and police still were committed to using the wands this season. However, he said some security personnel might have taken more time than needed to "wand" each fan coming in. That will be reviewed, he said.

In addition, there may not have been enough security on hand when fans started to show up at the gates, he said. Security will be better deployed next time, he said.

Also, Collins said it was possible more staff will be added to move more people through the stadium gates.

"We will be looking for a marked improvement in efficiency," he said.

Collins said the Packers would continue to encourage fans to enter the stadium as early as possible. Stadium gates open two hours before kickoff. Fans should enter the stadium 15 to 30 minutes sooner than they normally do, he said.

This article was written by Don Walker and appeared in the Journal Sentinel.

Miami Dolphins owner Steve Ross just appeared on South Florida radio Monday night and gave embattled coach Tony Sparano a vote of confidence.This article was written by Mike Berardino and appeared in The Sun Sentinel.

"I'm very disappointed, to put it mildly, I guess," Ross said during his appearance on The Finsiders, a team-run program on 940-AM. "Everybody involved with this team — the players, the coaches — are disappointed being 0-4. You can't be any other way.

"I think we have to stay together and really get behind our coach. I believe that Tony is the right coach. All the games we've played have been very close, could have gone either way. I think when you see the team practicing and playing as hard as they can, I think that's a good sign. Certainly we have to see better results."

Program host Jesse Agler asked Ross if he is confident the Dolphins can turn things around after their third 0-4 start in the past eight seasons.

"Certainly I'm hopeful," Ross said. "I think that everybody -- you read the press and everybody talks about changes and that would change things around. I really believe any football team, if you look at the winning teams, they're consistent and they stay the course. You go through rough periods.
"I think we have a lot of talent, but I think most importantly, the players really believe in Tony. As long as the players believe in Tony and they're playing hard for him, with the talent we have, we're going to win our share of ballgames. Certainly coming back from 0-4, hey, remember in the first season [2008] when Chad Pennington joined us, we started out, maybe not 0-4 but pretty similar and we rebounded and I think we won around nine or 10 straight games [actually nine of 10 after a 2-4 start]. I don't know if that's going to happen but I think we have a lot of talent. We'll find out about that as the season goes on."

Ross, who had not spoken publicly about the Dolphins or Sparano since two days before their Week 2 home loss to the Texans, said several times the team has "talent," which could be construed as support of the job General Manager Jeff Ireland has done.

Ross cast his vote for patience, which might not fire up the fan base but is significant because, well, his is the only vote that truly counts here.

"We're committed to winning," Ross said. "This organization is committed to winning. We'll [commit] whatever resources it takes to win. As long as the team is really behind its coach and it has talent, it has a good shot of winning. Like anything else, you have to be optimistic. I think you stay the course, we'll get there."

Ross ended his appearance with a message to Dolphins fans, who have grown increasingly frustrated with the direction of the franchise.

"I really appreciate your fan support," Ross said. "I feel as frustrated you do. When you hurt, I'm hurting. And I'm dedicated to making sure we turn this around as fast as possible."

Your thoughts on the owner's de facto State of the Dolphins address this evening?

This article was written by Mike Berardino and appeared in The Sun Sentinel.

The N.F.L’s first attempt at a long-range study on the effects of concussions was riddled with problems from the manner in which data was collected to conflicts of interest for those overseeing it. After criticism from outside experts and even members of Congress, the study was shut down by the league in late 2009.
Nearly two years later, however, the N.F.L.’s committee on concussion research is planning a considerably broader study — an effort that could begin gathering data as soon as next season, according to one of the doctors involved.

The doctor, Mitchel S. Berger, the chairman of the neurological surgery department at the University of California San Francisco, said Monday that he and the N.F.L.’s subcommittee on former players and long-term effects of brain and spine injury had been holding conference calls regarding the study every two weeks with representatives from the players’ union. He added that he hoped to make a final presentation to the union and Commissioner Roger Goodell “in the near future.”

Berger said he was aware of the issues surrounding the previous study, and said the latest model was completely different.

“There was no science in that,” Berger said in reference to the study coordinated by Dr. Ira Casson, who was also the league’s primary voice in discrediting outside research on concussions. Asked if he might use any of the data from Casson’s work, Berger shook his head.

“We’re really moving on from that data,” he said. “There’s really nothing we can do with that data in terms of how it was collected and assessed.”

Berger said earlier studies failed to properly assess the effect of previous injuries on a subject. The new model, he said, is a “prospective longitudinal study,” which does not just evaluate a subject, but tracks it for an extended period.

Specifically, Berger said, the study will include about 1,400 people, aged 45 to 59, and divided into three groups. The first group will be retired N.F.L. players; the second will be people who played college football but never professionally; and the third will be a control group of nonathletes who have some medical commonalities with the first two (a heightened prevalence of diabetes, for example).

What tests will be conducted is still being determined, but Berger said the workups would be comprehensive. A baseline test for each subject will be performed, and subsequent examinations will be given every three years. A similar study, with three groups featuring the same characteristics but for people aged 60 to 75, will also be conducted, involving about 400 subjects, Berger said.

“Because the prevalence of serious problems in that younger age group is less common and obvious,” he said, “you have to look at so many more individuals.”

Berger explained the study at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center here, where moments earlier, Goodell had spoken at the 2011 Congress of Neurological Surgeons. In his remarks, Goodell seemed to summarize the increasing focus the N.F.L. has had on head, neck and spine injuries in recent years.

When Casson was doing his study, its point was to find out if there was a link between repeated football head trauma and degenerative cognitive function. With a consensus having formed that the link does exist, it appears that the goal now is to find out how strong it is, whom it affects most and what preventative steps can be taken by the league to minimize potential damage to its players.

“There is nothing more important to the N.F.L. than the safety of our players, and there is no issue of greater importance when it comes to player safety than the effective prevention, diagnosis and treatment of concussions,” Goodell told the convention crowd.

He added: “The more we can learn about the brain, the better for all. And we can be the leaders.”

Robert E. Harbaugh, the chairman of neurosurgery at Penn State, said his subcommittee for the development and management of a prospective database for N.F.L. players was pursuing a more thorough examination of active players in hopes of identifying potential genetic conditions that might make a player predisposed to cognitive issues later in life. Goodell also spoke about the effects of current rule changes designed to increase player safety, and the possibility of other changes.

Goodell would not rule out instituting rules regarding the three-point stance, which linemen use on nearly every play before launching themselves, often headfirst, into opposing players. “We’re going to consider everything,” he told reporters. This article was written by Sam Borden and appeared in The New York Times.