Jim Finks

A consumer's guide to the best and worst of sports media and merchandise. Ground rules: If it can be read, heard, observed, viewed, dialed or downloaded, it's in play here. One exception: No products will be endorsed. What: "It's Been a Pleasure: The Jim Finks Story" Authors: Jim Finks Jr.

A consumer's guide to the best and worst of sports media and merchandise. Ground rules: If it can be read, heard, observed, viewed, dialed or downloaded, it's in play here. One exception: No products will be endorsed. What: "It's Been a Pleasure: The Jim Finks Story" Authors: Jim Finks Jr.

Saints owner Tom Benson said he reluctantly gave permission for the NFL search committee to talk to Jim Finks, confirming that Finks is on the final list of candidates to become National Football League commissioner. Finks, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Jack Kemp and Washington lawyer Paul Tagliabue are the men most frequently mentioned as leading candidates to replace Pete Rozelle, who has announced his retirement. Finks, 61, was an NFL quarterback from 1949 through 1955, and began his administrative career as general manager of the Calgary Stampeders football team in 1957.

Members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection board turned their backs on Los Angeles on Saturday, spurning all three candidates from the Raiders and Rams. The 33 voters, representing NFL-city newspapers and radio stations and several national publications, elected five former NFL players, including the late Jim Finks, whose last job was president and general manager of the New Orleans Saints.

Jim Finks, who once beat John Unitas for a quarterback job but is better known for turning three losing teams into winners as an executive, is expected to be chosen Thursday as the NFL's first new commissioner in 30 years. According to several NFL sources, Finks, who will turn 62 on Aug. 31, will be the only recommendation to the NFL owners by the six-member selection committee. In fact, Finks met with the committee in New York on Tuesday to finalize the details of his contract.

Two days before the NFL draft last April, executives of the New Orleans Saints realized that there was something terribly wrong with their general manager. During 18-hour discussions about the future of the franchise, Jim Finks twice acted out of character. First, he ordered everybody to the golf course. "He said, 'We've had enough, let's get out of here,' " recalled Jim Miller, the team's vice president of administration. "We thought, Jim Finks is doing this right now?

New Orleans Saint General Manager Jim Finks, 64, was discharged from a Minneapolis hospital after being treated for two days because of chest pains.

Jim Finks, the New Orleans Saints' general manager, was listed in serious but stable condition in a Minneapolis hospital after experiencing chest pains while playing indoor tennis.

The NFL lost one of its most popular and progressive executives Sunday night when Jim Finks, 66, died in New Orleans after a yearlong battle with lung cancer. Finks, a consultant to the New Orleans Saints at the time of his death, rebuilt three struggling NFL franchises into playoff teams before nearly being named NFL commissioner in 1989.

Jim Finks, 66, the man credited with turning around the Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings, died Sunday night. Finks, a heavy smoker, had battled lung cancer since April 19, 1993. Doctors diagnosed an advanced case of the disease when he went to the hospital two weeks ago. He underwent chemotherapy but was able to return to work only once and retired shortly before the 1993 training camp.

Jim Finks, who helped turn the New Orleans Saints into an NFL playoff team, resigned Wednesday as the team's general manager and president. Finks, 65, was told in April that he had lung cancer and was limited to consulting with team officials by telephone on contract negotiations since undergoing chemotherapy. "I have received good reports from my doctors," Finks said in a statement issued by Saint owner Tom Benson.

Two days before the NFL draft last April, executives of the New Orleans Saints realized that there was something terribly wrong with their general manager. During 18-hour discussions about the future of the franchise, Jim Finks twice acted out of character. First, he ordered everybody to the golf course. "He said, 'We've had enough, let's get out of here,' " recalled Jim Miller, the team's vice president of administration. "We thought, Jim Finks is doing this right now?

Doctors confirmed that Jim Finks, 65, president and general manager of the New Orleans Saints, has lung cancer. "I don't know if it's one lung or both, but he will receive chemotherapy," a team spokesman said. "It could even begin this weekend."

New Orleans Saint General Manager Jim Finks, 64, was discharged from a Minneapolis hospital after being treated for two days because of chest pains.