MLB Franchise Notes: Web Site Could Hold Up Braves Deal

Ownership Of Gambling Web Site Could Derail Liberty Media’s Deal For Braves

In Denver, Andy Vuong reports Liberty Media’s deal to acquire the Braves “could hit a hitch” due to its ownership of DonBest.com, the Internet’s “premier sports-betting information” site. DonBest charges $600 monthly for “up-to-the-minute betting odds on games in every major sport, including baseball.” MLB Senior VP/PR Rich Levin said that he “couldn’t comment about what impact Liberty’s interest in DonBest might have on the approval process.” The Web site has not been targeted by the U.S. government, though it is unknown if it “receives revenues from illegal sports-betting websites.” Levin said, “Obviously, any direct ties with illegal gambling presents a problem.” Liberty had no comment (DENVER POST, 2/15).

WEST COAST CHOPPERS: In Seattle, Larry Stone reports the Mariners this season will have a payroll over $100M for the first time, a “likely indication that the team made a profit last year, despite another decline in attendance to 2.4 million.” The team is “using a working budget figure of $111[M]” after finishing last season with a $93M payroll. Mariners President Chuck Armstrong said that the team “went over their projected budget” this offseason (SEATTLE TIMES, 2/15)....The Giants created travel packages that allow fans to join the club on some road trips this season. Giants Vacations is offering trips to Boston for a series June 14-18 and to San Diego for a series September 14-16. There is also a package for fans to travel to S.F. for a Yankees series June 21-25. The Giants are also offering a package to Maui November 9-16 with players and execs (Giants).

ASIA MAJOR: Following a recent trip to China by Yankees execs, President Randy Levine said the Yankees “want to play [MLB’s] first game in China.” They “want to play a regular-season game there, with a season-opener a possibility.” Levine has informed MLB and the Chinese Baseball Association “about the club’s interest.” The “earliest a game might be played” is ’09, after facilities are built for the ’08 Beijing Games (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 2/14)....Red Sox VP/Media Relations John Blake said 80-85 of nearly 120 Japanese media members, as well as 150 from the U.S., were granted requests for Spring Training media credentials (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/15).