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Expansion team success
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January 7, 1997: 12:13 p.m. ET
NFL's two newest members turning heads with playoff performances
From Correspondent Sean Callebs
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) -- The National Football League playoffs have a little extra excitement surrounding them this year.
Two teams, each only two years old, have a shot at being in the Superbowl. Many are pointing to the new franchises as good examples of successful management. Experts say that success is because of a little luck and some very smart management.
Frank Vuono, president of Integrated Sports International, believes the secret is a great combination of good talent combined with smart owners who are good at delegating responsibility to those that know a lot about football.
"In both cases, these owners have been successful businessmen and they're willing to be successful businessmen and leave the football operations to football people," he said.
The new owners are also enjoying plenty of support from the NFL commissioner's office, the owners and the players.
The NFL also tweaked the draft rules for the new teams. The new owners were given 14 additional draft picks over two years as opposed to eight additional picks in one year as was the case for previous for previous expansion teams.
They were also allowed to sign veteran players that other teams had declared eligible.
Gene Upshaw, executive director of the NFL Players Association, said the ability to pick up free agents is one of the biggest reasons the new members are finding success so early. (231K WAV) or (231K AIFF)
The last time the NFL expanded, free agency did not exist. That was something that these two teams will have to deal with.
Both new teams are also at a bit of a disadvantage given the fact that the only get half the television revenues of other teams.
Despite that disadvantage, their success has also prompted old owners to complain that the NFL gave the new franchises too much.
Some say that's ironic given the fact that just to join the NFL, the new owners had to pay $140 million each plus hire general managers, coaches, build their own stadiums and sign their players. That proves success may be sweet, but it's certainly not cheap.
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