Charles Johnson led the group that bought the Giants from Pete McGowan in '93GETTY IMAGES
MLB has approved Greg Johnson, son of Giants co-Owner Charles Johnson, as the "'control person' who has the authority to represent" the team in league matters, according to Henry Schulman of the S.F. CHRONICLE. The Giants announced Greg Johnson would replace his sister, Jennifer, on the five-member BOD and become Chair. Interim control person Rob Dean, who was named to the position in March "in place of then-suspended President and CEO Larry Baer, will remain on the board" as Vice Chair. Sources said that the team's "day-to-day operations should not be affected by Thursday's moves, but it's too soon to say how big-picture decisions regarding the organization, ballpark, Mission Rock development and the team on the field, such as annual payroll, might change" under Greg Johnson's control. The changes were "not a surprise," as the team in March said that it "ultimately planned to name a permanent control person." The fact that Johnson would "assume that role is significant" because the Johnson family has not had "such a forward presence in the organization, even if Jennifer Johnson was on the board and Charles Johnson always was consulted on major decisions." Greg Johnson is "not expected to have an office at Oracle Park." Giants President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi has "reported directly to Dean since Baer was suspended in March," and the team announced that both Baer and Zaidi now will report to Dean and Johnson, the "'managing members' of the ownership group." Sources said that MLB owners "increasingly want the 30 control persons to represent the largest investors." Charles Johnson "owns about twice as many shares as Dean represents" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 11/22).
