Mark Rosentraub, Associate Dean of Indiana Univ.'s
School of Public and Environmental Affairs, was paid by MLB
to produce a 23-page economic report on the proposed Padres
stadium, and has announced his support of the plan,
according to Philip LaVelle of the SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE.
Rosentraub's support of Proposition C led "Stop C" Funding
Chair Robert Simmons to call him a "hired gun who is
glossing over the serious risks to taxpayers." Simmons
noted that Rosentraub has often been a critic of public
financing of sports facilities. But Rosentraub said, "This
is a redevelopment deal, with two owners (majority owner
John Moores and team president Larry Lucchino) leading the
charge to reform baseball." Rosentraub admitted that the
"approximately" $13,000, plus travel, he was paid by MLB for
the study will "end up in my pocket. ... But it's the cost
of doing the study" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 10/15).
NO TALKS: Padres Owner John Moores, responding to a
report that the team has bought land in VA about a possible
relocation: "Absolutely untrue. We haven't bought anything,
haven't sent anyone there, haven't called anyone. There's
been absolutely no discussion" (BASEBALL WEEKLY, 10/14).
