The Yankees-adidas lawsuit against MLB, its teams and
officials "is about to suffer a setback because of a
potential conflict of interest" for the firm representing
Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner, according the Murray
Chass of the N.Y. TIMES. The conflict involves Cravath,
Swaine & Moore's representation of Time Warner, the Braves'
parent, who are named as a defendant with other MLB teams.
Cravath Managing Partner Samuel Butler "acknowledged"
yesterday that the firm was studying the possible conflict.
A source with knowledge of the matter said that Cravath
"would most likely withdraw" from representing Steinbrenner.
Chass notes that a Cravath withdrawal "would hurt
Steinbrenner's position" because the strategy for the suit
"was said to have been designed" by Cravath attorney, David
Boies. One lawyer involved in MLB who read the lawsuit said
it was "exquisitely pleaded;" another lawyer called Boies
"as good as there is" (N.Y. TIMES, 5/13).
BOSS' FATE: MLB execs are reportedly set to discuss the
suit at today's MLB Executive Council meeting in Chicago.
USA TODAY's Hal Bodley writes that Steinbrenner, "in effect,
has been removed from baseball's governing Executive
Council. ... and will have no involvement with the council
as long as his suit progresses" (USA TODAY, 5/13). In N.Y.,
Jon Heyman notes that "since papers have not yet been served
in the suit and baseball people say they remain unclear
about Steinbrenner's intentions, they apparently will wait
for Steinbrenner's next move before considering the drastic
step of suspending him from the game" (NEWSDAY, 5/13).
