Reds Owner Marge Schott said that she "dislikes" the
"Wedge" -- the riverfront site "expected to be selected" for
the team's new ballpark -- and wants the Broadway Commons
site to be studied further, according to Barry Horstman of
the CINCINNATI POST. Schott's comments were relayed to the
media by restauranteur Jim Tarbell, a "leading proponent" of
the Broadway site, as Schott is barred from speaking with
the media under the terms of her MLB suspension. But
Hamilton County Commissioner Bob Bedinghaus "emphasized"
that the county "has never heard about any other location
other than" the Wedge from Schott or Reds Managing Exec John
Allen during ballpark talks. Bedinghaus: "I can't imagine a
scenario under which Mrs. Schott doesn't sign off on this
deal" (CINCINNATI POST, 6/13). Also in Cincinnati, Geoff
Hobson reported that MLB is "rapidly growing concerned"
about Schott's role with the Reds, and is "shoring up its
support" of Allen's bid to sign a deal for the Wedge site.
An MLB source said the league "feels it is on solid legal
ground" regarding Schott's lack of involvement in the
ballpark deal. The source: "John Allen has the authority to
make this deal even if he doesn't have her signature." With
Schott's suspension "possibly being extended past this
season's World Series, the source said Allen would have the
same right to sign a stadium lease" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER,
6/14). But Commissioners "stress they won't make a deal
with the Reds" without Schott's signature, as county lawyers
told them that Schott "is the only person who can legally
bind the team" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 6/13).
