In Chicago, Jerome Holtzman writes MLB owners' adoption of
interleague play (a "leap into the 21st Century") and the sure-
to-follow debate over the DH give the MLBPA "a bone to chew on
that could hasten settlement in the thorny bargaining struggle
for a new Basic Agreement." While MLBPA Exec Dir Don Fehr has
endorsed the idea of interleague play, he is sure to seek a
"tradeoff." White Sox Owner Jerry Reinsdorf: "We are not taking
anything away from the players. Why should they expect something
in return? The additional revenue from interleague play will be
awarded equally to both sides." Holtzman (who writes that
Reinsdorf "should know better") proposes a fair compromise is the
expansion of the DH into the NL (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/21).
UNION TALKS THIS WEEK: MLB officials plan to open
negotiations with the MLBPA today on the subject of interleague
play, according to sources cited by the WASHINGTON POST. One
ownership source: "We'll have to see how they handle it, within
the context of (the labor) negotiations or separately. We don't
really have an idea at this point what they want to do, or what
they want in return." Another management official said,
considering the positive reaction to interleague play, it is
unlikely the union will reject it (Mark Maske, WASHINGTON POST,
1/21).
BUSINESS ISSUES: In New York, Bill Madden notes that the
owners "continue to plod along without any marketing plan."
Noting that talks with Radio City Music Hall's Arlan Kantarian to
have him take over as the game's chief marketer have gone on
"for more than a year," Madden writes, "It's time for the Lords
to look beyond the Rockettes" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 1/21). But last
week's ADWEEK noted Kantarian is believed to be behind a review
of MLB's ad account, with several agencies vying for the
assignment held by S.F.-based Goodby, Silverstein & Partners
(ADWEEK, 1/15 issue).
EXPANSION & REALIGNMENT: In Boston, Peter Gammons reports
owners are so happy with the wild-card system and the three five-
team divisions that will be created in '98 that expansion is not
on the agenda. Charlotte and Northern Virginia will be left open
for small-market teams "that cannot make ends meet." On that
issue, Expos Owner Claude Brochu predicted adoption of a plan for
"some serious revenue-sharing" this spring (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/21).
In Denver, Tracy Ringolsby predicts "even bigger upheaval" in '98
in the form of realignment (ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, 1/21).
THE SCHAAP-ITAL GANG: Interleague play was a hot topic for
ESPN's Sunday talkers. Mitch Albom, from "Sports Reporters":
"Sports today are marketed by their stars. How can you have a
sport where you don't get to see half the stars in the game ever
if you live in one town?" Mike Lupica: "It's a nice gimmick"
(ESPN, 1/21).
