Levine Cites Conflicts of Interest In Recent Critiques

Levine Responds To Criticism Stemming From Contract Offer

Yankees President Randy Levine, responding to criticism about the offer the club made to former manager Joe Torre, said that he was “displeased that he had been stung by people with ‘undisclosed conflicts of interest,’” according to Richard Sandomir of the N.Y. TIMES. Levine said that WFAN-AM’s Mike Francesa and Chris Russo “lit him up as the Yankees' executive most responsible for offering Torre the contract he rejected."  However, Francesa and Russo "did not disclose that Levine has, in his role on the YES board, questioned the value of simulcasting their daily program on YES.” Levine: “I have seriously questioned the money that YES pays them and whether it’s an appropriate fit for the time spot at YES.” He noted a three-year deal was ultimately agreed upon, but said, “Next year it’s up again, and it’s convenient for them to attack me to help their own negotiating position.” Russo said, “The last thing I was thinking about when I was talking about Joe Torre was my future at the YES Network.” Meanwhile, Sandomir notes SI’s Tom Verducci wrote a column last week stating that under Levine the Yankees “let corporate cowardice be their guide” and that “there is blood everywhere on Levine and the boys” over the Torre situation. Levine “questioned Verducci’s objectivity," as Verducci collaborated with Torre on his '97 autobiography, “Chasing the Dream.” Levine: “They had a financial relationship.” But Verducci said, “It’s 10 years ago and clearly a matter of public record. So I don’t regard it as anything that’s covert at all.” Finally, Levine said that ESPN’s John Kruk “singled him out” Thursday for Torre’s departure, but “failed to mention that he and Torre share the same agent, Maury Gostfrand.” Kruk: “I never called anyone out by name. I don’t know Randy Levine” (N.Y. TIMES, 10/23).

NOT A GREAT FIRST STEP: Following Torre turning down the Yankees' offer, Senior VP Hank Steinbrenner Sunday asked, “Where was Joe’s career in ’95 when my dad hired him?” In N.Y., Joel Sherman writes, “Who exactly would Hank Steinbrenner be if his father had not handed off his last name?” Steinbrenner is a “new front man, and his first baby step was ham-handed and ungrateful, not exactly what entices folks to want to work for you.” He “probably should have just left his public comments to ‘thanks, Joe’” (N.Y. POST, 10/23).