MLB Commissioner Bud Selig is interviewed by Sam
Donnellon of the PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, who writes, "How
much of [MLB's] renaissance is attributable to the efforts
of Selig and his supporters is still debated around the
country." Donnellon: "There is labor peace, at least
through 2000. ... While the salary-cap issue still puts the
union and ownership at odds, Selig proudly boasts, 'Next
year and the year after we're going to transfer $125
(million) to $140 million from the top six to the bottom six
teams." Selig: "Six years ago, one of the problems I had
was that you couldn't sit people in the same room together
and talk about revenue sharing. ... I'm very comfortable
where we are today." Asked about the fire sale of the
Marlins and that team's current situation, Selig said, "I
understand the Miami situation, but I've said this to
writers down there: Where were you guys in 1994 when we were
trying to correct some of these problems? The trouble with
some people is they want it both ways. They hated '94, but
they hate the disparity in the game. Well, man, you can't
have it both ways. The Marlins are a microcosm of our
economic problems" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 8/10).
LEVINE'S ROLE: NYC Deputy Mayor for Economic
Development and MLB Player Relations Committee Chair Randy
Levine has "collected over $900,000 in deferred and
consulting income" from MLB since rejoining the
administration of NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani a year ago,
according to Wayne Barrett of the VILLAGE VOICE. Under a
'97 deal with the city's Conflicts of Interest Board, Levine
"was allowed to become the first deputy mayor with a part-
time second job, but was barred from any participation in
the stadium decision-making or other baseball related
matters." Barrett adds that while Levine "did play a major
role" in putting together a package of "city assistance for
a midtown office tower to be built" by Mets CEO Fred Wilpon,
the VOICE "uncovered no evidence that Levine has been
directly involved in the current discussions about stadiums
for the Yankees and Mets." Neither Levine nor MLB
participated in the VOICE's report (VILLAGE VOICE, 8/11).
