NFL Aide Defends Motives in Trial

Jack Donlan, head of the National Football League’s Management Council, repeatedly insisted Wednesday in New York that his motives with respect to the rival United States Football League concerned only competition in signing players.

Donlan, the third witness called to testify in the USFL’s $1.5-billion antitrust suit against the NFL, denied he intended to harm the USFL. He said his suggestions that the USFL should stop spending “outrageous” amounts to sign college draft picks might have even been considered helpful to the fledging league.