The Orioles have released a study to MLB officials that
"concludes placing a major league team in Northern Virginia would
do severe damage to the Orioles franchise," according to Mark
Maske of the WASHINGTON POST. This comes at a time when Northern
VA telecom exec William Collins "likely will resume negotiations
in a month or so" to attempt to purchase and relocate the Astros.
As Astros Owner Drayton McLane comes to a decision on the future
of his franchise, the Orioles "have stepped up their efforts to
try to avoid having to share the region's baseball fans."
According to sources familiar with the report, the study says a
DC team "would have a devastating effect on the Orioles'
advertising and broadcasting revenue." The team reportedly earns
$15-20M per season in radio and TV rights and that could be cut
in half if a franchise moves to suburban DC. One source
indicated the study shows a team in Washington would make
Baltimore the smallest TV market in MLB, with an O's official
citing the situation between the A's and the Giants in the Bay
Area. The Orioles official notes the team is not "hellbent on
depriving anyone of baseball. (But) introduce another team to
this region, and you're going to dilute the revenue of both of
them and end up with two marginal franchises." Orioles officials
say anywhere from 20-30% of the team's home attendance comes from
the Washington area. Michael Scanlon, Exec VP/Virginia Baseball
Club, said "a lot of dollars" are being exported to Baltimore,
adding "if we had a stadium here in Northern Virginia, we could
keep those dollars in our economy." Acting MLB Commissioner Bud
Selig, who was given a copy early last month, called it a "well
thought-out presentation" (WASHINGTON POST, 6/25).
