Paul Tagliabue League Quotations

Wellington Mara represented the heart and soul of the National Football League. He always ensured that the Giants were one of the premiere franchises in sports, but he kept the interests of the league at the forefront.

Those were wonderful moments, ... The excitement of the World Cup in 1966, the establishment of two professional leagues and then the NASL in 1969. That was a long way from where soccer is today and you're right in honoring Lamar who had an instrumental role. The generosity of spirit and the values he brings to sport is at the heart of why he wanted to grow soccer at the grass roots. It's fitting it's the U.S. Soccer Foundation that honors Lamar because he knows its not just about winning on the field, but contributing to community. Being here tonight is one of the highlights of my professional life.

Every player who was part of the investigation who's still in the league is being tested up to 24 times a year, which is the most important element of putting an end to this, ... That's why we have not had repeat offenders. That's as important or more important than the discipline. It's testing people up to 24 times a year on a random basis.

When Well Mara stood to speak at a league meeting, the room would become silent with anticipation because all of us knew we were going to hear profound insights born of eight decades of league experience.

This morning, the committee selected the Los Angeles Coliseum as the site that offers the best opportunity for the National Football League ... to create a state-of-the-art stadium that will benefit the fans, the league and the city for years to come.

We have a collective bargaining extension in place, long-term television contracts, and have undertaken many other strong elements in league and club operations. I am honored to have been commissioner since late 1989 and to have been heavily involved with the league, its owners, clubs, coaches, players, fans and media since 1969.

It has as much effect on the league as a summer firefly will be gone this September.

No sports league has ever had to deal with the issues that we're dealing with. . . . I've told our people to think outside the box,

A lot of things get done at the 11th hour and 59th minute. I don't know if we'll get something done by the league meetings.

A lot of things get done at the 11th hour and 55th minute. I don't know if we'll get something done by the league meetings.

Under our league policies, owners are not supposed to be talking about re-locating their team during a season. We've got a specific set of guidelines on that. It's a policy that was negotiated with the U.S. conference of mayors, and my assumption is that every owner is complying with the policy.

The Players Association has on the table a demand which doesn't recognize the reality of our league's economics today. It's a very excessive and unrealistic demand.

The Saints are Louisiana's team and have been since the late '60s when my predecessor Pete Rozelle welcomed them to the league as New Orleans' team and Louisiana's team. Our focus continues to be on having the Saints in Louisiana.