FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NFL-68                 11/20/98

After the conclusion of the current regular season, the Cleveland Browns will be allowed to request interviews with coordinators and assistant coaches on playoff teams for the Browns’ head coaching position, the NFL announced today.

The change is one of the adjustments to the NFL anti-tampering rules that will apply to the Browns on a one-time basis, Commissioner Paul Tagliabue informed NFL clubs today. Teams are normally prohibited from seeking interviews with coordinators and assistant coaches of other teams until after that team’s season, including the playoffs, is completed.

Commissioner Tagliabue developed the policy revisions with a group of clubs representing the Management Council Executive Committee and the non-coaching members of the Competition Committee. The special rules for the Browns will apply only this season. The Browns begin play with the 1999 season.

The adjustments in the anti-tampering policy will not apply to Cleveland’s potential dealings with current employees of the San Francisco 49ers. Instead, the existing policy will apply without change to any dealings with 49ers employees "in view of (Browns President) Carmen Policy’s past positions with the 49ers and the current status of ownership of that club," Commissioner Tagliabue said.

The veteran access draft for the Browns will be held February 9^th in Canton, Ohio. The Browns will receive a combined total of 14 extra rookie players in the next two college drafts, and they will be able to sign veteran free agents in 1999 under the same terms as the other 30 clubs despite having more cap room than other clubs. The Browns cannot use any of their draft choices to acquire a new head coach.

"The overall plan for the re-launch of the Browns clearly gives the team a strong opportunity to become competitive at an early date," Commissioner Tagliabue said. "It is similar to the opportunity given to Carolina and Jacksonville in 1995. This time, however, the Browns will be the only expansion team pursuing players on a start-up basis."

Following are the revisions to the anti-tampering policy that will apply to the Browns for this season:

CURRENT HEAD COACHES

1. No change in application of current rules. Cleveland may not seek permission to contact a current head coach other than in a manner that fully complies with all elements of the Anti-Tampering Policy.
2. Per the approved stocking plan, Cleveland may not use any of its regular or supplemental draft choices to secure the release of any current head coach from his contractual obligations to his current club.

ASSISTANT COACHES/COORDINATORS

1. After the conclusion of the regular season, Cleveland can request permission to contact an assistant coach of an NFL club that is participating in the playoffs to discuss the Browns’ head coaching position only.
2. In such cases, permission can be withheld, and the scheduling of the visit between Cleveland and the assistant coach must be approved by the employer club. Contact should be made during the bye week, if applicable.
3. Cleveland cannot obtain permission to discuss employment with more than one assistant coach under contract to the same NFL club.
4. Only one interview between the assistant coach and Cleveland is permissible. No other contact is permitted between Cleveland and the assistant coach, and no contact is permitted between Cleveland and a representative of the assistant coach.
5. Permission will be granted only for the purpose of an interview between the assistant coach and Cleveland. No head coaching position can be offered to or accepted by the assistant coach.
6. All other clubs will be subject to the applicable provisions of the Anti-Tampering Policy.

FOOTBALL OPERATIONS POSITIONS

1. No change in application of current rules. Cleveland may not seek permission to contact a current "football operations" employee other than in a manner that fully complies with all elements of the Anti-Tampering Policy.
2. Clubs remain free to designate certain football operations personnel as having primary responsibilities that extend to recurring events beyond the playing season (e.g., the free agency period and the college draft), and to deny permission to contact those employees until after those events have occurred. This provision does not apply if Cleveland is prepared to offer a general manager’s position or its equivalent.

3. Per the approved stocking plan, Cleveland may not use any of its regular or supplemental draft choices to secure the release of any current "football operations" employee from his contractual obligations to his current club.

NON-FOOTBALL POSITIONS

1. Beginning on December 1, Cleveland can request permission to contact employees of other NFL clubs who are not involved in football operations.
2. Unless otherwise required by the Anti-Tampering Policy, permission can be denied by the employer club.
3. Permission to discuss employment is also permission to accept employment.

APPLICATION TO SAN FRANCISCO

1. These adjustments will not apply to any dealings by Cleveland with current employees of he 49ers. The existing Anti-Tampering policies will apply without change to any dealings with 49ers’ employees.