Reds Owner Marge Schott's "latest appearance" in
Cincinnati's ballpark debate "has accelerated" MLB's
scrutiny and "could lead to an extension of her suspension
in the next few weeks, preventing her from ever running the
Reds again," according to Geoff Hobson of the CINCINNATI
ENQUIRER. A source close to MLB said the league doesn't
want her involvement putting a deal for a Reds ballpark in
"jeopardy." Another lengthy suspension of Schott could run
through the expiration of the team's general partnership,
which expires at the end of 2000. Last week, Schott said
that she preferred the city's Broadway Common spot for a new
park, while discussions with the team and Hamilton County
were centered on the site known as the Wedge. But a source
close to the ballpark talks said a deal on the Wedge site
could come "as soon as next week." The county is reportedly
"confident" that Schott would sign the MOU, but it is
"unsure it can move forward with the project if she doesn't
sign" it (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 6/17). County Commissioner
Tom Neyer: "I know our attorneys are discussing with (Reds')
attorneys the nature of the participating signatories. We
expect Mrs. Schott to be an enthusiastic participant" (Geoff
Hobson, CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 6/18).
