Acting MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said a report by ESPN's
Peter Gammons stating a tentative labor deal is nearly done, was
"not true," according to Haudricourt & Olson of the MILWAUKEE
JOURNAL SENTINEL. Selig: "Nothing has changed the last couple
days. There's nothing scheduled right now other than a meeting
between the parties" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 10/24). On
"SportsCenter," Gammons said negotiators "believe they're very
close to finally getting this labor deal done." Players would
receive service time while ownership works out the second tax-
free year on the proposed luxury payroll tax and a point where
the necessary number of teams would commit to a deal. Gammons:
"It may not be two days, it may take three or four days, but
they're very optimistic that they can finally get it done."
Gammons estimates if no deal is made by November 8 it could mean
a loss of $1B a year to the MLB industry with a lockout during
spring training ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 10/23). Selig: "We've
spent a lot of time now guessing on deals. ... we all understand
the need to finish a deal and finish it expeditiously as is
humanly possible" ("Sports Tonight," CNN, 10/23). In Montreal,
Jack Todd writes if no deal is completed by mid-November, "you
will get another season of uncertainty [and] fan erosion. ...
After all, watching a guy shoot himself in the foot over and over
again is a diversion with a strictly limited appeal" (MONTREAL
GAZETTE, 10/24).
