Cablevision "immediately moved" yesterday to "quash the
buzz" that it is in talks with Yankees Owner George
Steinbrenner about his team, and a role for him as top exec
of the Knicks and NHL Rangers, according to Steve Zipay of
NEWSDAY. In a statement, Cablevision said: "We have had no
discussions to relinquish either the control or the
management responsibilities of Madison Square Garden and its
teams and do not expect to have any such discussions in the
future." MSG President Dave Checketts "declined" to talk
about his reaction, but an MSG exec "said Checketts feels
secure in his job." Zipay adds that MSG's revenue will
reach $100M this year, up from the $12M a year before
Checketts was named head in '95, and "those are the stats"
that Cablevision Chair Charles Dolan "holds most dear."
Rangers President Neil Smith called the speculation "too
bizarre for words." One Steinbrenner associate said "that
anything more than a figurehead position" for Steinbrenner
"was a ridiculous notion" (NEWSDAY, 9/18).
NOW CHILDREN: In NJ, Bob Klapisch reports that the
possibility of Steinbrenner selling the Yankees "hinges on
two key factors, according to people familiar with the Boss'
thinking." First, Steinbrenner is "deciding whether he
wants to leave" the team to his children, including his 29-
year-old son Harold, and 43-year-old son-in-law, Steve
Swindal. Second, Steinbrenner is "deeply committed to
moving the Yankees to Manhattan's West Side, and, according
to an official close to the team, Steinbrenner would like to
continue his association with the team if a move occurs."
But if N.Y. City Council Speaker Peter Vallone is successful
in putting the future of Yankee Stadium to a referendum,
sources say Steinbrenner "could well throw in the towel and
sell to Cablevision" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 9/18).
SCHUNDLER'S LIST: The N.Y. OBSERVER's Greg Sargent
reports that Jersey City (NJ) Mayor Bret Schundler "is
exploring ways to build - and aggressively market" a new
ballpark on the border of Jersey City and Secaucus for "the
Yankees or any other team" looking for a new home.
Schundler: "We have the best location in the metropolitan
area - bar none." He said a site proposal will be presented
to Steinbrenner in several weeks (N.Y. OBSERVER, 9/21).
