The Oakland Raiders dismissed as “fiction” a story in this week's Sports Illustrated that says former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo and former 49ers president Carmen Policy are interested in buying the Raiders from Managing General Partner Al Davis.
“I generally enjoy a good work of fiction,” Raiders chief executive Amy Trask said yesterday. “I enjoyed all the Harry Potter books. This story falls in the category of fiction and should be labeled as such. There's nothing there.”
The SI article says, “The scenario has been broached by DeBartolo and Policy” and that the Raiders would be moved to Los Angeles to satisfy the league's desire to place a team in the nation's second-largest media market.
Sagging attendance in recent seasons and Davis' “declining” health, the article states, are the main factors that prompted DeBartolo and Policy to target the Raiders.
Plummer issued summons
Denver Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer said he cut someone off while driving last month, but denied kicking and then backing up into another motorist's vehicle in an act of road rage.
Plummer acknowledged cutting off a vehicle because he was in a hurry to deliver a check to charity from his foundation.
“I was on my cell phone, which I'm embarrassed to admit that while I was driving, and cut a guy off,” Plummer said. “I waved in my rearview mirror and even said sorry while I was talking.
“And all I heard was incessant honking. When I pulled up to the light, I felt a bump on the back of my tailgate,” Plummer said.
He said he got out of his Honda truck to check for damage, then got back in, drove away and called 911 to report what happened.
Plummer was issued a summons for a misdemeanor city violation to “injure or destroy property,” similar to criminal mischief under state law.
Gov. Bush says 'no'
Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said thanks, but no to the NFL, which had an emissary gauge his interest in replacing Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, who is retiring in July.
“I intend to be governor until I leave – which is January 2007,” Bush said
Around the league
SAINTS: Linebacker James Allen will miss the upcoming season after rupturing the patellar tendon in his right knee on Tuesday.
BUCS: Signed receiver David Boston, who has missed most of the past two seasons with injuries.
