"I have a plan," he said repeatedly, reassuring everybody, including top club executives.

The union first learned of it yesterday morning from a club executive.

Still, club executives are clearly furious at the union's position.

"Clearly," one club executive said yesterday, "the main purpose of the meeting is to extend his term."

"It really helped," one club executive said, his words heavy with sarcasm.

Eleven owners and club executives went to the management session.

Under most circumstances, a club executive probably would have glanced at the story and dismissed it.

Some owners and other club executives also will be at the meeting.

But other club executives were meeting three floors above him to discuss the incident.

"We could never do anything so drastic today," one club executive said.