While Sportsnet has "enjoyed record-breaking ratings this month as the Blue Jays ramp up their first pennant race in more than 20 years, the team’s official broadcaster is also stuck in a protracted conflict with its highest-profile player," RF Jose Bautista, according to Brendan Kennedy of the TORONTO STAR. Bautista has "refused to do one-on-one interviews with Sportsnet for the past three months in protest of the broadcaster’s refusal to pay the cost of a designer suit purchased by" 2B Devon Travis "as part of a TV segment aired on Sportsnet on May 19." Bautista and reps from the Blue Jays and Sportsnet "declined to comment." Bautista has told Sportsnet execs he "will not do any interviews until Travis is reimbursed for the cost of the suit or he is given a gift certificate from Gotstyle, the men’s clothier featured in the segment." Bautista believes Sportsnet "took advantage of Travis -- since it was the network’s idea to do the suit-buying special -- and that he needs to stand up for his rookie teammate." Bautista is "still giving one-on-one interviews to other media outlets, but the last time he spoke exclusively to Sportsnet was May 12." It is an "awkward standoff for Rogers Communications, which owns both the team and the broadcaster" (TORONTO STAR, 8/26).
