http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/classic/obi...tory?id=2203131
Mara's influence went far beyond the Giants. He clearly was one of the most important figures in NFL history.
Perhaps his greatest contribution came in the early 1960s. He and brother Jack, owners of the biggest team in the biggest market, agreed to share television revenue on a leaguewide basis, dividing the huge amounts of money available in cities like New York with smaller markets from Pittsburgh to Green Bay.
Part of that agreement meant that the Giants ceded the right to sell their own games to television for a leaguewide contract, in those days with CBS. That concept of revenue sharing allowed the NFL to thrive and remains in place today.
And this is why I despise Jerry Jones, Dan Snyder and the other " Me,Me,Me " owners, who wish to keep ALL the $$ for themselves. The greater good of the NFL means nothing to them.