MLBE President Greg Murphy's "ouster" was "more
amicable [than] some reports have indicated, if only because
it took senior MLB execs so long to do what they were
promising business partners they would do months ago,"
according to Terry Lefton of BRANDWEEK. One marketer
currently involved in talks with MLB: "They told us nine
weeks ago (Murphy) was out and when he stayed we really
wondered about their ability to deliver anything." Lefton
adds that one reason Murphy "failed" was a "convoluted chain
of authority." Logo Athletic President Tom Shine: "You had
a guy who didn't do his home work (Murphy) reporting to
someone [Bud Selig] who's a part-time commissioner of
consensus. That wasn't a good combination." Murphy
"alienated some sponsors and licensees early on," and while
he "might well be faulted for a sometime abrasive style and
for not moving on pressing issues," he can also be "credited
for setting a marketing agenda that included an emphasis on
trading dollars for marketing exposure." Murphy's advice
for someone trying to market MLB nationally: "Stay out of
the labor issue. Go in with your eyes wide open about the
entertainment industry. Your word is not your bond, your
handshake is not a handshake. It operates with a different
set of dynamics" (BRANDWEEK, 10/27 issue).
AND GAMGORT? Lefton adds that a "lagging question" in
the industry is the future of MLBP President Bob Gamgort.
Lefton: "Insiders say he will stay, possibly with an
increased role" (BRANDWEEK, 10/27 issue).
MONEY, SO THEY SAY, WILL WIN A WORLD SERIES TODAY: In
"Bargain Shopping," ESPN's Peter Gammons asked, "Can you buy
a pennant?" Gammons: "With the '69 Mets, the word was
miracle. With the '97 Marlins, the word is money." Marlins
President Don Smiley, on the team's investments in the free-
agent market: "Our attendance dwindled to an alarming rate,
and it was all of our decisions collectively, along with Mr.
Huizenga's resources, that we felt that we needed to go out
and put ourselves in a position to win as many games as
possible and see if our fans would come back." Gammons: "Is
there a minimum payroll just to get to the World Series?"
Marlins GM Dave Dombrowski: "If you have a lower payroll,
and you end up winning it all, you are very fortunate in
today's game." Marlins P Alex Fernandez: "Tell (Marlins
Owner) Wayne (Huizenga) if this is the way we can win
another world championship, I hope he's going to lose
another $30 million" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 10/27).