BASEBALL MEETINGS: More than 3,000 people are expected
in Nashville over the weekend for the 97th annual Baseball
Winter Meetings, hosted by the NAPBL. NAPBL President Mike
Moore will address the opening session on Friday. The
Baseball Trade Show runs from Saturday to Monday at the
Opryland's Ryman Exhibit Hall with more than 250 exhibitors
(NAPBL)....In Milwaukee, Bob Wolfley notes that MLB's
Commissioner's Office in Milwaukee will have "at least three
staffers." Commissioner Bud Selig will take his Exec
Assistant Lori Keck. In addition, Sandy Ronback, Exec
Secretary for Brewers GM Sal Bando, will also be joining the
commissioner's office (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 12/10).
MONSTER TO THE NORTH: Padres Owner John Moores said he
feels News Corp. Chair Rupert Murdoch's ownership of the
Dodgers "has contributed to baseball's serious payroll and
revenue disparities." The Dodgers' payroll is $74M, "with
the possibility it could go to" $85M if they sign free-agent
P Kevin Brown. The team's payroll has increased by $25M
since Fox took over ownership. Moores: "This was the one
thing I was concerned about with the Dodgers. ... (Previous
Owner) Peter O'Malley was a pretty prudent guy, but it looks
like the new owners aren't. It looks like they're only
interested in their own self-interest, but in the long term
they'll hurt the game and their fans." Dodgers President
Bob Graziano dismissed the comments: "Every market has
different and independent issues" (L.A. TIMES, 12/10).
NFL: Commissioner Paul Tagliabue will hold a conference
call "early next week with the league's competition
committee. It's likely to be determined then if the 31
clubs will vote on bringing back instant replay for the
playoffs" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 12/10). In Newark, Paul Needell
reports that "sentiment is still running high that trying to
rush replay back for the playoffs doesn't have nearly enough
support to make it a reality" (STAR-LEDGER, 12/10).
Meanwhile, Tagliabue and Lions Chair William Clay Ford Sr.
"apparently have reached a truce" after a dispute on the
league's officiating. Lions VP/Communications Bill Keenist
said Tagliabue called Ford and the two "had a very positive
discussion" (Curt Sylvester, DETROIT FREE PRESS, 12/10).
HOCKEY: Central Hockey League (CHL) Commissioner Tom
Berry says a merger between the CHL and the rival WPHL "will
happen," but the two leagues will "only start discussions
when teams begin to fail financially." The WPHL Tucson (AZ)
Gila Monsters folded last Wednesday (DAILY OKLAHOMAN, 12/8).
