With the deadline for the Andy Dolich-led group to
complete its $122.4M deal for the A's less than a month
away, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said that the league's
owners "may not vote on the sale" at their meetings
September 15-16 in Cooperstown, NY, according to Henry
Schulman of the S.F. CHRONICLE. Selig: "Certainly it will
come to the ownership committee, but whether or not there
will be a vote, it's too early to predict that." The
trouble for the Dolich group is that "there is no time," and
if it can't close on the purchase by September 20, current
A's co-Owners Steve Schott and Ken Hofmann will "keep the
team." Though Selig said he's "aware" of the deadline and
"will try to be sensitive to that," Schulman noted that
Selig "is being cautious because he has seen other
prospective ownership groups that look sound on the surface
wither under the harsh light of due diligence." Dolich, who
thinks his group will get a vote at the Cooperstown
meetings: "We have been in constant touch with [MLB] ... and
we've been told we will be on the agenda. ... We see no
hurdles precluding a vote on [September] 15th or the 16th."
If the owners don't vote, they could still approve it via
conference call before September 20 (CHRONICLE, 8/24).
A'S FANS STAYING AWAY: Though the A's have drawn 1.2
million fans this season and are tied for the AL wild-card
lead, the team "attracted just" 10,047 fans to Network
Associates Coliseum Monday for its game against the Blue
Jays. A's President Mike Crowley: "It's disappointing,
really disappointing. What excuse can be used now? We're
winning and we get 10,000?" (CONTRA COSTA TIMES, 8/24).
