The business of baseball "still faces the same old
problems," as the season comes to an end, writes John Helyar in
this morning's WALL STREET JOURNAL, but there are "some new and
positive developments," among them, baseball's upcoming TV
contract which "will both raise its broadcast revenue and profile
with young viewers."
BAD NEWS: However, Helyar notes, "in many ways, this
offseason is a dreary reprise of the previous one. ...The owners
are expected to make their first poststrike labor proposal next
week and the players are braced for a fastball up and in."
Helyar notes that the "have-nots" franchises "want more revenue
sharing" than what was agreed upon in the January, '94 "Fort
Lauderdale agreement." Helyar: "This is relevant to labor: An
in-place revenue sharing formula must precede a player-payment
system."
PLAYER BAILOUT? Sources tell the JOURNAL that the players
are now willing "to acknowledge the industry's financial woes and
have proposed a Marshall Plan for it," in which they would
contribute. However, Helyar notes that such a plan would not put
a "drag" on salary growth, which is desired by the owners. As
for sponsors, Helyar writes there are many "uncertainties" that
make them "unwilling to commit to the game. Mike Trager, Exec VP
of The Baseball Network, believes this season's "compelling"
playoffs will bring sponsors: "This strong postseason finish
helps people feel good about being involved with baseball. It's
a sport that's tough to kill" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 10/27).
MOORES IS GOOD? Padres Owner John Moores predicts owners
will come to a revenue sharing agreement soon that divides ticket
sales revenue. However, Moores believes that salaries will go
down (THE SPORTING NEWS, 10/30 issue).
