Franchise Notes

In L.A., Bill Shaikin reports Dodgers Owner Frank McCourt is “not convinced that [MLB] Commissioner Bud Selig has approved the name change” of the Angels to Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. McCourt: “That’s not what he has said in his conversations with me. There’s a lack of clarity out there in terms of baseball’s position.” But two high-ranking MLB sources said that Selig “had approved the change and had hoped to signal to McCourt simply that he would be willing to listen to whatever concerns the Dodgers might have” (L.A. TIMES, 1/14).

TWINS: Twins President Dave St. Peter indicated that the team “came close to breaking even financially last season,” but added that team Owner Carl Pohlad “is still paying interest on a loan he owes for buying the club and club losses since then.” In Minneapolis, Sid Hartman notes Pohlad must pay about $6M a year on that debt, and the failed Victory Sports TV venture “cost Pohlad about $12[M].” Some of that money “will be recovered by the additional rights fees being paid for by Fox” (STAR TRIBUNE, 1/14).

PLAYING IN A MINOR KEY: Comcast-Spectacor confirmed that as a result of the termination of its securities purchase agreement with Triple Play Partners it will retain total ownership of the Double-A Eastern League Bowie BaySox, the Single-A Carolina League Delmarva Shorebirds and the Single-A South Atlantic League Frederick Keys, all affils of the Orioles (Comcast-Spectacor).