Ron Katz, a partner of the firm Coudert Brothers,
appeared on CNBC's "Market Wrap" to discuss a class-action
suit brought against MLB by players who were active before
1947. The suit contends that MLB has benefited from the
names and images of these players without compensation.
Katz, who is representing some of the players, said "there
have been some talks" with MLB about the case, "but so far
Major League Baseball has been very, very recalcitrant."
The suit is in the CA state court system and Katz said he
was "hopeful of getting a trial this year," noting a CA
statute that gives people over the age of 70 "a priority in
getting a trial" (CNBC, 4/23)....The U.S. Men's Clay Court
Championships is underway at the Walt Disney World Sports
tennis complex this week -- the inaugural event at the
tennis facility. The tournament has a four-year deal with
CBS Sports starting this year, and corporate support from
Citizen watches, Heineken and Wilson sporting goods. Disney
said it would like to "have four to six major events a year"
(ORLANDO SENTINEL, 4/20)....In Ft. Lauderdale, Larry
Lebowitz examined the single-entity ownership structure
employed by MLS, WNBA, ABL, IBL and AAFL. Lebowitz: "These
new-era business plans are keeping one eye on history and
the other on the pocketbooks. The owners are trying to
avoid the mistakes that doomed earlier attempts" (SUN-
SENTINEL, 4/20).....Jack Peterson, who was "dismissed" as
NFL Regional Security Representative in May '96, has filed a
federal court lawsuit in New York last week against the NFL
"alleging age discrimination." Peterson, 67, was originally
hired in '82 and claims that NFL security agents "were
replaced by younger employees" after Milton Ahlerich became
NFL Dir of Security in February '96. Ahlerich is also named
as a defendant (Dan Wasserman, Newark STAR-LEDGER, 4/22).
...Wilt Chamberlain, on the NBA: "The public relations guys
have sold us all a bill of goods. They're the real stars of
the league. ... Take Chicago and Michael out of the league
and you have nothing" (DETROIT NEWS, 4/24)....The 59th pick
in the NFL Draft, Brandon Mitchell, DL/Texas A&M, is
represented by Angelo Wright/Sports West Football.
