John Fisher, John Middleton To Be Approved As Designated Control Execs For A's, Phillies

John Fisher will be approved today as the new designated control exec for the A’s by MLB team owners during their meeting in Chicago, while John Middleton will be approved for the same role for the Phillies. Both have been existing equity partners in their respective franchises, and the changes signify them as the new lead execs in each market for league purposes. A’s co-Owner Lew Wolff, who had been the club’s designated control exec, will shift to an emeritus role and keep a reduced stake in the club. He has been working for several months on the shift in part for estate-planning purposes. Fisher's family founded retail clothing chain The Gap. Meanwhile, Middleton replaces Phillies Chair Dave Montgomery as the club’s designated control exec. This follows an emergence over the past two years in which Middleton has become the public face of Phillies ownership.