Archives for July 23, 1999

“The Federal Court of Canada in Ottawa ruled last week three local establishments will pay the NFL a total of $440,000 in damages for broadcasting games without permission over the last four seasons. The Palmwood Hotel in Crystal Beach must pay $173,504. Ryan’s Nite Club in Fort Erie owes $167,340. Pure Platinum, also in Fort Erie, must pay the league $101,198.”

Spielman: A lesson in what it is to be a good human being.

“The Buffalo Bills, once thought to be the front-runners to sign the free agent, were pessimistic of their chances because of Phillips’ desire to sign with the 49ers, the source said. Apparently the only chance Buffalo or Green Bay has of signing Phillips is if talks break down between Phillips and the 49ers.”

“Though no final contract agreement was reached, Phillips reportedly told his agent, Mitch Frankel, that he prefers to play for the 49ers this season…the free agent running back already has an offer on the table from Buffalo that includes a guaranteed bonus in excess of $200,000.”

“The latest ruling involved bars in the Niagara Falls-St. Catharines region that illegally showed Buffalo Bills games during the 1995 to 1998 seasons. The court awarded the NFL damages [$440,000 Canadian] for lost ticket sales, licence fees, concession revenues as well as interest.”

“ESPN The Magazine’s John Clayton reported Thursday that the San Francisco 49ers have increased their offer to Lawrence Phillips in the last 24 hours, and that the free-agent running back is leaning toward accepting the offer.”