In L.A., Bill Shaikin reports Fox Sports has "lined up with Selig and sued the Dodgers, defending against what media analysts say could be the possible extinction of one of its two Southern California regional sports networks." The Lakers "are leaving Fox Sports West next year," and if the Dodgers "were to leave Fox's Prime Ticket network, Fox could face pressure from cable companies to drop the rates to carry both networks -- or to drop one of those networks entirely." SNL Kagan Sports Media Analyst Adam Swanson said Fox "would most likely explore the need for two RSNs in that area. I don't think it would be surprising if they were to fold their two RSNs into one." A source said that Fox "considered the potential closure of FSW or Prime Ticket as 'an option of last resort.'" Former CBS Sports President Neal Pilson said, "If you lose the Lakers and Dodgers, that's a serious change to your business model. Those are the two premier sports properties in the L.A. market. That's why Fox is taking the strong position that it is" (L.A. TIMES, 10/31).
NOT WORRIED ABOUT PAYBACK: MLB Commissioner Bud Selig on Friday said that the Mets "have yet to pay back their $25-million loan" to MLB. But he "reiterated his confidence" that team owners the Wilpons and Saul Katz "will right their ship -- and, indeed, return the money they were loaned nearly a year ago." Selig: "I don't have any concerns about the Mets, as I think I've told you before. They're working on an alternative financing plan, and they seem to be very encouraged, and I'm encouraged" (NEWSDAY, 10/29).
COUNTING UP BLUNDERS: In San Diego, Nick Canepa wrote Padres CEO Jeff Moorad's firing of GM Kevin Towers in October '09 was the "first major blunder of his captaincy." Canepa argued Moorad's "second blunder, obviously, was hiring Jed Hoyer as Tower's replacement." Hoyer, who is leaving the team to join the Cubs as their new GM, "seemed to know what he was doing." But "unlike Towers, he chose not to stick around to see if he could handle the challenge and finish the work." Canepa: "If Moorad wants to build a winner here, he has to keep GMs around long enough to learn their names. He can't afford Blunder No. 3" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 10/30).
