The Walt Disney Co. "was silent Monday on reports that
it might sell" the Angels, but "that didn't stop business
analysts and sports experts from speculating on whether
dumping" the MLB team and even possibly the Mighty Ducks,
"would be a smart move," according to Bill Shaikin of the
L.A. TIMES. One "high-ranking" TV source: "Without a
regional network, Disney no longer needs to own the
(Angels)." Shaikin writes that the "sheer size of Disney's
investment" in the Angels -- more than $130M for the team
and almost $100M in ballpark renovations -- makes it
"unlikely the company can recover its money with a quick
sale." In three seasons under Disney management, the Angels
"claim operating losses of more than" $42M. Former Angels
President Richard Brown, who helped negotiate the deal to
Disney, said, "If Disney gets out of major league baseball,
it will also get out of ice hockey. I can't see them
keeping one team but not the other." Former Ducks & Angels
VP/Sales & Marketing Ken Wachter: "Maybe losing money is
more important than the synergies. I really thought they
hoped to make money in baseball. I think it was a surprise
to them when they didn't." One ABC source: "These are
desperate times at Disney and [Disney CEO Michael] Eisner is
looking for any way to generate more money" (L.A. TIMES,
8/10). Sports Business Group Principal David Carter: "For
Disney to sell now would make no sense. As a marketing
vehicle alone, the Angels are worth a lot more money then
they put in." In L.A., Bill Plaschke writes that Disney
"should not sell either team, for its sake or ours." After
six years in sports, Disney has made improvements and
"finally gets it" (L.A. TIMES, 8/10). FSN's Keith
Olbermann: "Couch this any way you want: The Angels are for
sale, maybe the Mighty Ducks. ... At least they would no
longer be a Mickey Mouse organization" (FSN, 8/9)
