Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. "insisted" yesterday that
it has not made any personnel decisions regarding the
Dodgers' front office, should its proposed purchase of the
team be successful, according to Bob Nightengale of the L.A.
TIMES. This was in response to a story in Monday's Newsday
that cited a source who "indicated Fox planned significant
changes, including the possible ouster" of Dodgers GM Fred
Claire if it purchased the team. News Corp. released a
statement yesterday saying, "It is extremely premature to
speculate on the status of any operational, let alone
personnel, decisions" (L.A. TIMES, 5/20).
L.A. LAW: The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER'S Carl DiOrio notes
sources who say News Corp. has retained "as many" as three
law firms to represent its interest in the Dodger sale, with
the firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom "taking the
lead" (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 5/20).
PUH-LEAZE: In N.Y., U.S. Congressmen Jerrold Nadler and
Charles Schumer unveiled legislation aimed at enabling the
Dodgers to return to Brooklyn. They said the bill will
invalidate an MLB rule where local owners can veto a move by
another team into their city (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 5/20).
MURDOCH A DICHOTOMY? Murdoch is profiled by Barbara
Kingsley of the ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, who writes, "The
name Rupert Murdoch might seem synonymous with a desire for
global domination and outrageous deals that seem to defy
common sense. But he cannot be dismissed as a purveyor of
bad taste. Murdoch's business history shows he sees the big
picture for his company and will fight all, inflame anybody
to achieve it. ... But those who know Murdoch ... say he is
quiet, diffident, almost shy. His demeanor belies a strong
conservative philosophy that he is not shy about injecting
into his publications." Murdoch could not be interviewed
since he is on vacation (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 5/20).
