Acting MLB Commissioner Bud Selig extended the deadline for
reaching a new labor agreement, announcing management will
continue to make "every effort" to reach a deal, according to Tom
Haudricourt of the MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL. Selig said in a
statement: "We intend to act expeditiously and bring this to a
successful conclusion." MLB's free-agents will however be
allowed to begin signing with other teams starting today.
Haudricourt notes Selig's statement "bought some time for his
side, but not much" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 11/15). Selig
gave management negotiator Randy Levine "an encouraging pat on
the head" and asked him to "meet further" with MLBPA Exec Dir Don
Fehr, according to Jerome Holtzman of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE.
Levine: "If people ask for my help, I try to help -- that's the
kind of guy I am." Levine reportedly spoke to Fehr four times
yesterday (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 11/15). In Washington, Mark Maske
notes sources close to the situation said Selig believes the
sides "have a week to complete and approve a deal" (WASHINGTON
POST, 11/15).
REAX: In Chicago, Jerome Holtzman analyzes the current
labor situation and writes since Fehr "is considerably ahead on
points, it would seem he can bend and throw a bone to
management." If Fehr makes a "minor concession" on either the
length of the deal or the number of teams subject to a tax, the
"educated guess" is Selig will call a second owners vote and
"more than likely, peace will reign" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 11/15).
In Washington, Tom Boswell notes interviews with both Fehr and
Levine, who "were deeply bitter and felt betrayed by Selig."
Levine: "The owners are totally paralyzed. They couldn't get (the
required) 21 votes to go to the bathroom" (WASHINGTON POST,
11/15). Red Sox CEO John Harrington: "In my mind, the two
changes [length of deal and number of teams taxed] do not
significantly affect the players. Cutting the deal by a year
means going back to the table a year sooner. Applying the tax to
all who are eligible doesn't take money out of their pocket"
(Larry Whiteside, BOSTON GLOBE, 11/15).
EASY TO BE HARD: MLB's rejection of sponsorship deals with
Nike and Reebok is examined by John Helyar of the WALL STREET
JOURNAL. Although Nike wanted a "head-to-toe" deal, MLB
Enterprises CEO Greg Murphy wouldn't give Nike exclusive rights,
but negotiated a deal where the company would outfit 18 teams for
about $22M per year. Reebok would outfit the remaining ten teams
for $10M annually in a five-year deal, with options. The
"problem" came when Nike wanted to prevent teams from doing
business with competing companies, and MLB clubs "jealously guard
their right to make local deals." Teams also "didn't like the
big portion -- 50% -- of the $32 million that was earmarked for
national ads," which meant less money for each team. Nike
negotiator Chris Bevilacqua: "We took our money and put it into
soccer." Murphy: "I need to get out and spend a great deal more
time at the club level so there's a clear understanding of what
we're trying to achieve." Heylar notes "part of the problem is
that baseball is much more decentralized, with the clubs'
autonomy making it much harder to strike national deals. Also,
[MLB] lacks the large headquarters staff to nurture corporate
partnerships" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 11/15).
