MLB: USA TODAY's Hal Bodley reports that MLB
Commissioner Bud Selig has asked former Commissioner Fay
Vincent to return on a consulting basis. Vincent will not
be a paid consultant (USA TODAY, 8/18)....In S.F., Glenn
Dickey wrote on the financial system of each league.
Dickey: "No system is perfect, but right now, the NFL's
system is working best, because it allows teams to compete
on a relatively equal basis, so small cities can compete
with larger ones. ... But baseball's system is by far the
worst; the Yankees' local radio-TV contract probably exceeds
the A's total revenue" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 8/17). Last night
on "SportsCenter," ESPN's Peter Gammons said MLB's revenue
disparity is Selig's greatest challenge (ESPN, 8/17).
NBC/TURNER PROPOSAL: In the SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL,
Woolf Associates VP Andrew Brandt writes an op-ed the
proposed NBC/Turner football league: "Many are pessimistic
about the new league's potential television ratings, but
don't be so sure. Instant credibility is already
established by being on two networks. ... We will watch. We
say we won't, but we will. ... Never underestimate the
appetite of a football fan. NBC and Turner are building it,
and we will come" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 8/17 issue).
