Teamwork: Selig Asking Nationals Bidders To Consider Merging

Pitching In: Selig Looking To Merge Some Nationals Bid Groups

MLB officials have asked Nationals bidders “if they would be willing to merge with or accept members of other groups trying to buy the franchise,” according to Thom Loverro of the WASHINGTON TIMES. However, there has been “reluctance on the part of bidders” because none “wants to give up control of the team simply to be part of a winning ownership group.” Loverro notes MLB Commissioner Bud Selig brought the group led by Les Otten and Tom Werner together with John Henry and Larry Lucchino during bidding for the Red Sox in ’01. MLB President & COO Bob DuPuy said recently that MLB “hopes to put the ownership of the Nationals up for a vote” during the November 16-17 owners meetings in Milwaukee (WASHINGTON TIMES, 11/1).

THE NEW DEAL: DC Council Chair Linda Cropp said that the city has made changes to the financing agreement for the Nationals ballpark needed to satisfy bond raters and that the city “should have the funds by the end of this year.” Cropp added that the changes “are minor enough that she can limit the council’s ability to make further changes that would disrupt the deal.” The agreement must be voted on twice by the council before it can be sent to Wall Street, with a second vote slated for December 1. Meanwhile, DC Council member Vincent Orange filed suit against Cropp in DC Superior Court after she refused to allow his Committee on Government Relations to hold a hearing on baseball-related items. Cropp said that she will file a motion to dismiss the lawsuit (WASHINGTON TIMES, 11/1). Orange said that his committee “has oversight of the mayor’s office, which is handling” the ballpark project (WASHINGTON POST, 11/1).