Ellison Criticizes 49er Owners

When Larry Ellison speaks, people listen. And Wednesday, the Bay Area billionaire was talking football. Specifically, while speaking at an Oracle Corp.-sponsored industry conference, Ellison, chief executive of the company, was asked when he planned to buy the San Francisco 49ers.

He said the current owners, the Yorks, “want another year” and therefore wouldn’t sell.

Referring to the 1-11 49ers as “the worst team in football,” Ellison said he wished there were a way he could seize control of the franchise.

“Unfortunately, it’s not a publicly held company, so you can’t vote [the Yorks] out of there,” he said.

Ellison added: “I hope the team in L.A. will be competitive. Just get on [an airplane], come down, come to the game, you’ll love it.”

He then referred to the team as the “L.A. Stars.”

While his answer about the 49ers was fairly lighthearted, his brief discussion of the theoretical L.A. franchise seemed serious.

Asked later to clarify the comment, an Oracle spokeswoman said: “Take it for what it is,” declining to elaborate.

Ellison’s comments notwithstanding, a league source familiar with the NFL’s maneuverings in Los Angeles said league executives have not had any recent meetings with Ellison and are focused on finding a stadium solution, not weighing the merits of potential team owners.

Regardless, some people were encouraged by Ellison’s comments.

“They’re exciting,” said Pat Lynch, general manager of the Coliseum. “I agree with him; I hope the L.A. team is competitive, and I hope a quality person like him is the owner.”

Sam Farmer

and Joseph Menn

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Receiver Marvin Harrison agreed to a six-year, $66-million contract with the Indianapolis Colts that includes a $22-million signing bonus, according to a source within the league who requested anonymity.

The star receiver is making $5.56 million this season.

Harrison, 32, who set an NFL record with 143 receptions in the 2002 season, has 826 receptions in nearly nine seasons with the Colts after being their first-round draft pick in 1996.

Also, the Colts signed Martin Gramatica to be their new kickoff specialist, replacing Jason Baker, who was released.

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Seattle Coach Mike Holmgren said that Keyshawn Johnson’s late touchdown shouldn’t have counted when Dallas rallied to beat the Seahawks on Monday night.

Holmgren said replays and film study showed Johnson was not in bounds when he made the catch, and the coach questioned why replay officials didn’t review the play.

The touchdown cut Seattle’s lead to 39-36 with 1:45 remaining. Johnson appeared to come down in the end zone with one foot, then land on his elbow out of bounds.

“He didn’t score. That was not a touchdown,” Holmgren said.

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Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger didn’t appear concerned about missing Sunday’s game against the New York Jets despite sitting out Wednesday’s practice because of a sore quadriceps.

Roethlisberger is listed as probable, meaning there is a 75% chance he will play.

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Although Cleveland quarterback Jeff Garcia is listed as probable on the injury report and interim Coach Terry Robiskie says he is “90% healthy,” rookie Luke McCown will make his second career start Sunday when the Browns face Buffalo.

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Quarterback Tim Rattay (foot) and running back Kevan Barlow (concussion) will sit out San Francisco’s game at Arizona on Sunday.... Buffalo tight end Mark Campbell will sit out the rest of the season because of an injured right knee.... The Green Bay Packers released running back James Jackson.