The Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation Confirms Carmen Policy's Resignation From The San Francisco 49ers and Names Interim Management Team.

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio and SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- July 22, 1998--Denise DeBartolo York, chairman and chief executive officer of The Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation, today confirmed that Carmen Policy asked yesterday to be immediately released from his responsibilities as president and chief executive officer of the San Francisco 49ers.

"We were unaware that Carmen was considering leaving, and were both surprised and disappointed by his request," Mrs. York said. "Carmen has been in his current position with the 49ers since 1991, and we anticipated he would be with us in the future. Although this presents a challenging situation for us, we have released him from his responsibilities with the 49ers, effective today. We thank him for his past contributions and wish him well in his future endeavors."

Mrs. York said, "Although I have been a silent part-owner of the 49ers for a long time, events of the past year have forced me into a more active role with the team. The 49ers have an unprecedented level of success and I am doing all I can to continue that tradition and to meet our responsibilities to our fans, the team and the NFL.

"Obviously, Carmen's resignation puts us in a transition period while we identify his successor. Because of the importance of that position, this decision will not be made hastily. In the interim, Larry Thraillkill, who is executive vice president and chief operating officer of The Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation (EJDC), will assume the additional responsibility as interim chief executive of the San Francisco 49ers. Larry will speak for the organization and represent the team on all NFL matters. He has been representing EJDC on the San Francisco stadium project and is continuing to pursue all options to make it a reality.

"Also during the interim, the responsibility for all day-to-day operations has been assigned to Dwight Clark and Bill Duffy who now report to Larry. Dwight Clark will continue to be vice president and director of football operations, managing all of the 49ers football operations and activities including scouting, player personnel, contract negotiations, salary cap management, and training camp. Bill Duffy will continue to be vice president of business operations and chief financial officer responsible for all 49er non-football functions and financial management of the organization. I have a great deal of confidence in Dwight, Bill and Larry. Working together, I am certain they'll continue doing an excellent job.

"We are fortunate to have Steve Mariucci as our head coach. I have faith in his leadership and the abilities of his fine coaching staff. Our players are simply the best, and I know they will focus their energies on the season before us. I have assured Steve that the coaches, players and fans can count on the organization and The Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation for continued support."

The Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation is a diversified real estate development and management company headquartered in Youngstown, Ohio. The firm's portfolio includes ownership of a regional mall, three thoroughbred racetracks, as well as a variety of office, industrial and hotel properties throughout the United States. Complementing these enterprises, The Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation is the owner of the National Football League, five-time Super Bowl champion San Francisco 49er franchise. Additionally, the DeBartolo family maintains an interest in the Simon DeBartolo Group.

Denise DeBartolo York will have no further comments at this time.

    CONTACT:  The Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation
               Cindy Miller, 330/965-2000
                         or
               Edward Howard & Co.
               Davis Young or Kathy Obert, 216/781-2400