The 76 MLB players in salary arbitration got an average
raise of 73%, the lowest since '89, according to a study released
by AP. The average salary for those players was $1,876,305, up
from $1,087,031. Last year's average for arbitration players was
$2,031,787 (Baltimore SUN, 2/22). The N.Y. TIMES notes that the
arbitration-eligible players who settled their cases before
hearings had salaries rise by 75%, also lowest since '89, and
players for whom arbitrators decided their salaries had a 52%
increase, the smallest since '87. Murray Chass notes, "Those
declining percentages raise the possibility that the opening day
average salary will be no higher than last year and possibly
lower." Those figures "did not come as a total surprise" to
either union or management officials (N.Y. TIMES, 2/22).
THE ARLEN FOLLIES: Despite numerous reports that Radio City
Music Hall COO Arlen Kantarian has withdrawn from consideration
to head MLB's marketing, acting Commissioner Bud Selig told the
N.Y. TIMES that Kantarian "hasn't communicated to me that he has
pulled out. We have a lot of candidates and Arlen remains one."
But Richard Sandomir cites people close to Kantarian who confirm
that he pulled out "six weeks ago" and is now working to create a
new division at Radio City. According to sources familiar with
the situation, "Kantarian's withdrawal was a combination of
baseball not wanting to grant him the complete autonomy he sought
and his desire to stay at Radio City." Selig, on the position
itself: "The only question is why this didn't happen 20 or 25
years ago. That we never had a marketing department before is
astonishing to me" (N.Y. TIMES, 2/22). NAME GAME: Contrary
to the N.Y. TIMES report, NBC Sports Senior VP Jon Miller told
THE DAILY this morning that he was never offered the job and has
had no contact with MLB. Miller: "I have heard the rumors, and
quite honestly, in Dick Ebersol, I am working for the guy I want
to work for and I'm in the job I want." The N.Y. TIMES reported
that NHL COO Stephen Solomon also refused the post. While
Solomon has refused comment, NHL officials told THE DAILY there
"is nothing to the speculation" (THE DAILY).
