MLB's winter meetings continue in Boston today. On
Friday, MLB Enterprises CEO Greg Murphy gave his status on
the game, according to Peter Gammons of the BOSTON GLOBE.
Among the news: 38% of fans are angry; 58% are "disgusted"
in the game. More than 60% of fans do not have a favorite
player. Ken Griffey, Jr. is tops at 6%. Local TV ratings
are up in 16 markets, down in 19. But Murphy is "upbeat,"
and Reebok "may be a big player in baseball in the next few
years." Reebok VP Alan Hanrahan said MLB "is the boom sport
of the next five years in terms of products and player
identification. It's where we're throwing our strongest
efforts, beginning this winter" (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/8). The
WinterFest, held at the Hynes Convention Center, drew 12,000
fans over the weekend (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/9).
AGREEMENT FALLOUT: In New York, Murray Chass notes the
new CBA "would not have been possible without the behind-
the-scenes initiatives of a group of player agents,"
including Ron Shapiro, Tom Reich, Randy Hendricks, Tony
Attanasio and Jim Bronner (N.Y. TIMES, 12/8). Chass breaks
down revenue sharing for the '97 season. The Marlins and
Rockies are exempt from the plan for two years. The Expos
will gain $5.5M, Tigers $5.1M, Royals $5M, Pirates $4.9M,
Twins $4.7M, Brewers $4.6M down to the Cardinals, who
receive $120,000 (N.Y. TIMES, 12/7). BUSINESS WEEK's
Stephen Baker examines the new CBA and calls it "a miserable
business plan ... But who said a small-market club was good
business? It rarely is, and ... it rarely will be"
(BUSINESS WEEK, 12/16).
