1 00:00:02,480 --> 00:00:13,640 Speaker 1: Bloomberg Audio Studios, Podcasts, Radio News walk Back to the Deal. 2 00:00:13,680 --> 00:00:16,759 Speaker 1: I'm Jason Kelly alongside Alex Rodriguez, a rare in person, 3 00:00:16,920 --> 00:00:19,480 Speaker 1: just the two of us chilling in New York. You're 4 00:00:19,520 --> 00:00:23,600 Speaker 1: here for some really interesting meetings for your various jobs 5 00:00:23,600 --> 00:00:26,160 Speaker 1: that you have. But I wanted to take this opportunity 6 00:00:26,200 --> 00:00:30,040 Speaker 1: because you're here to really lean into baseball, which we're 7 00:00:30,080 --> 00:00:31,760 Speaker 1: going to do a lot this season on The Deal 8 00:00:31,960 --> 00:00:35,360 Speaker 1: because sometimes I even forget you're a pretty good baseball player. 9 00:00:35,479 --> 00:00:37,400 Speaker 1: You did all right out there, and so I want 10 00:00:37,400 --> 00:00:39,680 Speaker 1: to get into some of the things that we've seen 11 00:00:40,000 --> 00:00:44,240 Speaker 1: recently what we may see coming up in the baseball season. 12 00:00:44,440 --> 00:00:46,920 Speaker 1: I did want to start, though, with a note on 13 00:00:46,960 --> 00:00:49,239 Speaker 1: a recent episode. We had David Levy, who is of 14 00:00:49,280 --> 00:00:53,360 Speaker 1: course the CEO and co founder of Horizon Sports and Experiences, 15 00:00:54,040 --> 00:00:57,360 Speaker 1: and we gave him credit for essentially inventing March Madness 16 00:00:57,360 --> 00:01:01,240 Speaker 1: modern March Madness, which he did, and then I think 17 00:01:01,280 --> 00:01:05,399 Speaker 1: our title for that episode was He's the reason you 18 00:01:05,440 --> 00:01:09,440 Speaker 1: can watch March Madness and Alex. A lot of people 19 00:01:09,480 --> 00:01:12,119 Speaker 1: watched it this time around opening days check this out, 20 00:01:12,400 --> 00:01:15,080 Speaker 1: an average of nine point eight million viewers. That's up 21 00:01:15,120 --> 00:01:18,920 Speaker 1: six percent from last year, which set its own record, 22 00:01:19,200 --> 00:01:22,319 Speaker 1: and that is I think owing to David Levy because 23 00:01:22,319 --> 00:01:25,000 Speaker 1: it's not just on CBS, it's CBST and t TBS 24 00:01:25,040 --> 00:01:26,800 Speaker 1: and True TV. You were tuned in. 25 00:01:27,160 --> 00:01:30,720 Speaker 2: It's incredible the way he did it with having multiple partners, 26 00:01:30,800 --> 00:01:35,039 Speaker 2: multiple both cable and CBS. It was a very complicated deal. 27 00:01:35,319 --> 00:01:37,200 Speaker 2: Also to bring into talent that he's pulling from all 28 00:01:37,200 --> 00:01:40,280 Speaker 2: different directions. It was a masterpiece. And it's still running 29 00:01:40,280 --> 00:01:41,360 Speaker 2: and running stronger than ever. 30 00:01:41,480 --> 00:01:43,520 Speaker 1: Yeah, and it's it was really cool to watch it, 31 00:01:43,560 --> 00:01:48,240 Speaker 1: and obviously there have been some great games so far. 32 00:01:48,840 --> 00:01:51,360 Speaker 1: I think the viewership will really continue on both the 33 00:01:51,360 --> 00:01:54,920 Speaker 1: men's side and the women's side. And you know, you're 34 00:01:54,960 --> 00:01:57,040 Speaker 1: participating in brackets for a cost. You're not doing great, 35 00:01:57,280 --> 00:01:59,120 Speaker 1: not doing great. You're not doing great. Too much with 36 00:01:59,160 --> 00:02:03,320 Speaker 1: my heart and my brains. Miami's out, although Michigan, I 37 00:02:03,360 --> 00:02:06,000 Speaker 1: mean hanging in. They're hanging in there. Let's talk baseball. 38 00:02:06,120 --> 00:02:09,320 Speaker 1: Last time we talked about baseball, it was literally hours 39 00:02:09,320 --> 00:02:14,079 Speaker 1: before you were headed to the World Baseball Classic Championship game. 40 00:02:14,160 --> 00:02:16,840 Speaker 1: It was in your backyard. We know the score, we 41 00:02:16,919 --> 00:02:19,320 Speaker 1: know what happened. Venezuela beat the US three to two. 42 00:02:20,160 --> 00:02:22,720 Speaker 2: What was it like that night the Olympics for Latin 43 00:02:22,760 --> 00:02:25,280 Speaker 2: America And oh, that's interesting, that's what it felt like. 44 00:02:25,400 --> 00:02:26,760 Speaker 1: Because it's funny. 45 00:02:26,960 --> 00:02:28,760 Speaker 2: Papy and I were trying to make the point on 46 00:02:28,800 --> 00:02:32,680 Speaker 2: the pregame before the last game when Venezuela beat America 47 00:02:32,720 --> 00:02:35,720 Speaker 2: and we were saying paraphrasing here. Papy and I were 48 00:02:35,720 --> 00:02:39,519 Speaker 2: saying to Jeter and Burkhart, look, this is so much 49 00:02:39,560 --> 00:02:42,280 Speaker 2: bigger for Venezuela than it is the US, so much 50 00:02:42,320 --> 00:02:45,040 Speaker 2: figger for Dominican, so much bigger than for any Latin 51 00:02:45,040 --> 00:02:48,480 Speaker 2: America team, and really anyone who plays the America the 52 00:02:48,600 --> 00:02:50,639 Speaker 2: US is going to be a bigger game for the opponent. 53 00:02:50,800 --> 00:02:54,119 Speaker 2: This is the pastime. There's our game that we created. 54 00:02:54,560 --> 00:02:58,120 Speaker 2: So for Venezuela. One of the most incredible moments was 55 00:02:58,160 --> 00:03:01,800 Speaker 2: when Salvador the catch Kansas City the World Series champion. 56 00:03:02,520 --> 00:03:05,000 Speaker 2: His answer was something like, I asked them, again, we're 57 00:03:05,040 --> 00:03:07,679 Speaker 2: perphrasing here, how what does this mean to the great 58 00:03:07,680 --> 00:03:10,520 Speaker 2: people of Venezuela And he started breaking down, crying. 59 00:03:10,639 --> 00:03:11,639 Speaker 1: Oh it was a post game. 60 00:03:11,720 --> 00:03:13,880 Speaker 2: I mean, he's got tears and he's saying, well, Alex, 61 00:03:13,880 --> 00:03:15,440 Speaker 2: I don't know if you know, but if you've been 62 00:03:15,440 --> 00:03:18,880 Speaker 2: reading the press like, we've had a couple tough time 63 00:03:18,919 --> 00:03:20,639 Speaker 2: over the line at a rough time, a couple months, 64 00:03:20,680 --> 00:03:23,280 Speaker 2: a couple of weeks, and having this victory for our 65 00:03:23,280 --> 00:03:25,959 Speaker 2: people means more than just a victory. But he said 66 00:03:26,000 --> 00:03:28,720 Speaker 2: it much more eloquently with a lot of emotion. This 67 00:03:28,800 --> 00:03:30,920 Speaker 2: means a lot to a lot of people, is how 68 00:03:30,919 --> 00:03:34,840 Speaker 2: they measure themselves against America. And the numbers were just 69 00:03:34,920 --> 00:03:35,600 Speaker 2: off the charts. 70 00:03:35,800 --> 00:03:38,160 Speaker 1: So let me give you the numbers. So the championship 71 00:03:38,200 --> 00:03:40,960 Speaker 1: game alone seen by almost ten point seven million viewers. 72 00:03:41,200 --> 00:03:44,839 Speaker 1: That is almost double the five point four million who 73 00:03:44,880 --> 00:03:48,520 Speaker 1: watched America lose the last time that was to Japan 74 00:03:48,600 --> 00:03:53,200 Speaker 1: back in twenty twenty three. That's an incredible bump for 75 00:03:53,280 --> 00:03:56,000 Speaker 1: a game that many people are like, Mmm, Baseball, I'm 76 00:03:56,000 --> 00:03:59,880 Speaker 1: not so sure about it. It shows you how successful 77 00:04:00,920 --> 00:04:05,320 Speaker 1: the game is globally. To your point, to that sort 78 00:04:05,360 --> 00:04:07,360 Speaker 1: of new high water mark, I think is a really 79 00:04:07,400 --> 00:04:11,240 Speaker 1: really interesting moment. I want to talk about what Rob 80 00:04:11,280 --> 00:04:14,640 Speaker 1: Manfred was doing and saying around that, but before we 81 00:04:14,680 --> 00:04:17,800 Speaker 1: get to that, I mean, from your perspective, from sort 82 00:04:17,800 --> 00:04:21,440 Speaker 1: of a personal perspective, you're a Dominican American. I mean, 83 00:04:22,440 --> 00:04:24,800 Speaker 1: what was the feel for you obviously. You know we 84 00:04:24,839 --> 00:04:26,400 Speaker 1: talked a little bit in the last episode when we 85 00:04:26,400 --> 00:04:30,000 Speaker 1: talked about World Baseball Classic kind of your heart, your 86 00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:33,200 Speaker 1: heart being in a couple places when the DR played 87 00:04:33,560 --> 00:04:36,960 Speaker 1: the US. But like, you must have it a unique 88 00:04:37,000 --> 00:04:37,760 Speaker 1: perspective on this. 89 00:04:38,080 --> 00:04:40,800 Speaker 2: Well, that's why you're a champion of journalists, right, Like 90 00:04:40,880 --> 00:04:43,800 Speaker 2: this is the sixty four thousand dollars question for me. Look, 91 00:04:43,880 --> 00:04:46,800 Speaker 2: I learned a long time ago that I'll never go 92 00:04:46,839 --> 00:04:49,520 Speaker 2: against my mother again. She is ninety now, and if 93 00:04:49,560 --> 00:04:52,960 Speaker 2: I ever cheer against the Dominican Republic, I may not 94 00:04:53,000 --> 00:04:55,080 Speaker 2: have a home to come back to. So I'm still 95 00:04:55,120 --> 00:04:58,400 Speaker 2: fearful of my mom. So definitely, the Medical Republic was 96 00:04:58,400 --> 00:05:01,560 Speaker 2: my choice against the field. Yeah, once they got eliminated, 97 00:05:01,640 --> 00:05:03,960 Speaker 2: it was easy for me obviously to cheer for the US. 98 00:05:04,200 --> 00:05:06,080 Speaker 2: But one more thing, Jason, because I was on site 99 00:05:06,080 --> 00:05:09,080 Speaker 2: for three days and it felt like a Caribbean World 100 00:05:09,120 --> 00:05:12,200 Speaker 2: Series slash Olympics you call it. But what was interesting 101 00:05:12,279 --> 00:05:15,200 Speaker 2: is I've met you know, Alabama LSU. Like it had 102 00:05:15,320 --> 00:05:19,320 Speaker 2: like a pregame, you know, game day kind of feel. 103 00:05:19,760 --> 00:05:22,359 Speaker 2: Starting at one o'clock. You have different bands playing outside. 104 00:05:22,400 --> 00:05:25,880 Speaker 2: It was like a concert. Wana polluc you name it. 105 00:05:25,880 --> 00:05:30,200 Speaker 2: It was a big party, very festive, so much pride 106 00:05:30,360 --> 00:05:34,120 Speaker 2: in what I think Baseball's Tata's is still a great game. 107 00:05:34,640 --> 00:05:37,400 Speaker 2: When you have big stars, big strategy. 108 00:05:38,080 --> 00:05:38,560 Speaker 1: It works. 109 00:05:38,680 --> 00:05:41,640 Speaker 2: And the games were great. The games were close and 110 00:05:41,680 --> 00:05:44,440 Speaker 2: full of theater. The Harper home run and then obviously 111 00:05:44,520 --> 00:05:47,160 Speaker 2: Venezuela pulls it back just pretty much awesome. 112 00:05:47,400 --> 00:05:50,120 Speaker 1: And this isn't a knock against the Marlins, but I mean, 113 00:05:50,160 --> 00:05:51,720 Speaker 1: it's gonna sound like it, and I guess it kind 114 00:05:51,720 --> 00:05:55,640 Speaker 1: of is. You know, you wouldn't peg Miami is a 115 00:05:55,640 --> 00:05:58,359 Speaker 1: great baseball town based on the Marlins, and yet it 116 00:05:58,520 --> 00:06:01,920 Speaker 1: was the center of the baseball world for those few games. 117 00:06:02,000 --> 00:06:04,120 Speaker 2: I wouldn't be surprised if Rob Manford makes it the 118 00:06:04,160 --> 00:06:06,400 Speaker 2: permanent home of the WBC because it makes so much sense. 119 00:06:06,680 --> 00:06:10,160 Speaker 1: Yeah, let's talk about Manfred. Commissioner Rob Manfred very notably 120 00:06:10,279 --> 00:06:15,200 Speaker 1: unhand handing out the medals. So if anybody thought that 121 00:06:15,680 --> 00:06:18,120 Speaker 1: major League Baseball in the World Baseball Classic were kind 122 00:06:18,120 --> 00:06:20,520 Speaker 1: of existing in the same orbit but not really connected, 123 00:06:20,839 --> 00:06:25,120 Speaker 1: felt very connected with him there literally handing out the prizes. 124 00:06:25,120 --> 00:06:27,040 Speaker 1: How big of a deal is that to you? It 125 00:06:27,120 --> 00:06:27,920 Speaker 1: is a huge deal. 126 00:06:27,960 --> 00:06:31,719 Speaker 2: Look, let's try to recap here Rob Manfer's tenure as 127 00:06:31,720 --> 00:06:35,279 Speaker 2: a commissioner. I mean, the previous commissioner handed him the keys. 128 00:06:35,360 --> 00:06:38,760 Speaker 2: On the back end there of my suspension and the 129 00:06:38,920 --> 00:06:41,599 Speaker 2: job that Rob has done. The first five years, you 130 00:06:41,600 --> 00:06:43,800 Speaker 2: could say, okay, pretty good, trying to get the house 131 00:06:43,800 --> 00:06:46,200 Speaker 2: in order. But the last five years have been Hall 132 00:06:46,240 --> 00:06:48,440 Speaker 2: of fame material for Rob Manford, starting with the clock, 133 00:06:48,839 --> 00:06:51,800 Speaker 2: starting with eliminating the shift, really making the game a 134 00:06:51,800 --> 00:06:55,520 Speaker 2: little bit more dynamic, more technology driven, and the game 135 00:06:55,640 --> 00:06:58,960 Speaker 2: is flourishing under his watch. Now, with all that said, 136 00:07:00,120 --> 00:07:02,400 Speaker 2: this year, before I answer your question, will be the 137 00:07:02,400 --> 00:07:05,640 Speaker 2: most consequential year, and not only Rob manfres tenure, but 138 00:07:05,680 --> 00:07:07,640 Speaker 2: maybe in the last twenty five years for baseball because 139 00:07:07,640 --> 00:07:08,200 Speaker 2: of the CBA. 140 00:07:08,400 --> 00:07:10,400 Speaker 1: Yeah, all right, we're gonna get to that in a second. 141 00:07:10,600 --> 00:07:12,760 Speaker 1: Just got too exciting. I know, I know you're jumping ahead. 142 00:07:12,760 --> 00:07:14,360 Speaker 1: That's okay, that's okay. It's my job to keep you 143 00:07:14,400 --> 00:07:17,040 Speaker 1: on track. But tell me what I mean. If you're 144 00:07:17,080 --> 00:07:21,000 Speaker 1: advising Rob, you talked to him, what is what did 145 00:07:21,040 --> 00:07:24,400 Speaker 1: you see at World Baseball Classic that he needs to 146 00:07:24,400 --> 00:07:27,480 Speaker 1: be especially aware of whether it is about the fan base, 147 00:07:27,520 --> 00:07:30,200 Speaker 1: whether it's about the players, Like what are the things 148 00:07:30,280 --> 00:07:32,320 Speaker 1: that he's going back to headquarters here in New York 149 00:07:32,360 --> 00:07:34,320 Speaker 1: and saying, Hey, guys, we've got to do these two 150 00:07:34,440 --> 00:07:36,800 Speaker 1: or three things based on what I saw in Miami. 151 00:07:37,120 --> 00:07:38,760 Speaker 2: A lot of it is I would say, continue doing 152 00:07:38,800 --> 00:07:40,520 Speaker 2: exactly what you're doing. I am and Dan Hale and 153 00:07:40,600 --> 00:07:43,360 Speaker 2: company and Noah, they're just doing a terrific job. I 154 00:07:43,360 --> 00:07:46,280 Speaker 2: would say, when he goes around this spring training to 155 00:07:46,360 --> 00:07:47,800 Speaker 2: meet with all the guys and early in the year 156 00:07:47,800 --> 00:07:50,080 Speaker 2: and April where he usually gets around to talk to 157 00:07:50,120 --> 00:07:53,600 Speaker 2: all thirty teams, I would not only meet with the team, 158 00:07:53,640 --> 00:07:56,080 Speaker 2: but before we meet with the team, I would get 159 00:07:56,120 --> 00:07:58,120 Speaker 2: like eight or ten guys and a private dinner and 160 00:07:58,160 --> 00:08:01,480 Speaker 2: go to a nice steakhouse and just ask questions, what's 161 00:08:01,520 --> 00:08:04,040 Speaker 2: important to you guys, how do we make the game better? 162 00:08:04,360 --> 00:08:06,640 Speaker 2: Treat them like fifty to fifty partners as they are 163 00:08:07,240 --> 00:08:09,800 Speaker 2: and not as not saying that Rob would do this, 164 00:08:09,920 --> 00:08:13,920 Speaker 2: but as players, sometimes you feel like you're just an 165 00:08:14,000 --> 00:08:16,440 Speaker 2: asset and that's it, rather than a partner. So I 166 00:08:16,440 --> 00:08:17,960 Speaker 2: think the more he can get to know these guys, 167 00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:20,360 Speaker 2: a little bit more personal experience with these guys, I 168 00:08:20,360 --> 00:08:21,400 Speaker 2: think the better he's going to be. 169 00:08:21,480 --> 00:08:23,440 Speaker 1: Yeah, well, and Obviously you see that and I know 170 00:08:23,800 --> 00:08:26,160 Speaker 1: aim to practice it in the NBA. The NBA is 171 00:08:26,160 --> 00:08:29,120 Speaker 1: probably better than any other league when it comes to 172 00:08:29,200 --> 00:08:33,040 Speaker 1: player engagement with the league office. Adam Silver, I think 173 00:08:33,440 --> 00:08:36,040 Speaker 1: is probably the gold standard in terms of those sorts 174 00:08:36,080 --> 00:08:39,840 Speaker 1: of player relationships. And I think you can be honest 175 00:08:39,880 --> 00:08:44,280 Speaker 1: here that is now assumed of owners in the NBA, 176 00:08:44,360 --> 00:08:46,760 Speaker 1: and I think increasingly in the WNBA that you have 177 00:08:46,840 --> 00:08:49,280 Speaker 1: to have strong relationships with your players. The players have 178 00:08:49,320 --> 00:08:52,280 Speaker 1: to have a voice. That's not that's not negotiable anymore. 179 00:08:52,360 --> 00:08:55,040 Speaker 2: Right, Well, the proof is in just what happened this 180 00:08:55,080 --> 00:08:58,440 Speaker 2: past week with the agreement, where both sides started very 181 00:08:58,480 --> 00:08:59,280 Speaker 2: far apart. 182 00:08:59,160 --> 00:09:00,520 Speaker 1: For the WNBA, every NBA. 183 00:09:00,679 --> 00:09:02,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, and obviously Adam sits at the very top of 184 00:09:02,760 --> 00:09:06,560 Speaker 2: that chain. Kathyr commission did a fantastic job. But we're 185 00:09:06,600 --> 00:09:08,719 Speaker 2: so far apart in a very short time, through a 186 00:09:08,760 --> 00:09:11,679 Speaker 2: lot of conversation, and and give both sides a lot 187 00:09:11,679 --> 00:09:14,560 Speaker 2: of credit, they came together on what was probably the 188 00:09:14,600 --> 00:09:16,079 Speaker 2: toughest negotiation in their history. 189 00:09:16,080 --> 00:09:17,840 Speaker 1: For sure, for. 190 00:09:17,720 --> 00:09:20,240 Speaker 2: Sure because it was it was a time and a movement, 191 00:09:20,760 --> 00:09:22,760 Speaker 2: and the players got exactly what they wanted. I think 192 00:09:22,800 --> 00:09:25,560 Speaker 2: the owners will do well over time and both sides 193 00:09:25,559 --> 00:09:27,360 Speaker 2: are real partners moving forward, which just great. 194 00:09:39,559 --> 00:09:43,600 Speaker 1: So speaking of CBAS, that's what as you mentioned, that's 195 00:09:43,640 --> 00:09:46,000 Speaker 1: what is on everyone's mind when it comes to Major 196 00:09:46,040 --> 00:09:50,760 Speaker 1: League Baseball, as the players, as the PA is going 197 00:09:50,800 --> 00:09:53,679 Speaker 1: into this. When it comes to basketball, you're an owner, 198 00:09:54,160 --> 00:09:56,760 Speaker 1: but when comes to baseball, you'll always be a player. 199 00:09:57,760 --> 00:10:01,319 Speaker 1: So if you're in the mind of the p right now, 200 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:04,240 Speaker 1: what are the non negotiables? What what are you coming 201 00:10:04,320 --> 00:10:07,640 Speaker 1: in and just saying we have to get these things? 202 00:10:08,880 --> 00:10:12,280 Speaker 1: I think we want more teams to be competitive. Yeah. 203 00:10:12,360 --> 00:10:14,840 Speaker 2: Right. If you look at baseball, you have thirty teams 204 00:10:14,920 --> 00:10:18,200 Speaker 2: and probably going into every year just by the nature 205 00:10:18,240 --> 00:10:22,600 Speaker 2: of market size, which is unfortunate, you have fifteen that 206 00:10:23,200 --> 00:10:25,960 Speaker 2: hope they have a chance, but really seven or eight 207 00:10:26,080 --> 00:10:28,600 Speaker 2: chants really have a chance. Seven or eight teams and 208 00:10:28,679 --> 00:10:30,280 Speaker 2: the other fifteens are just there to kind of go 209 00:10:30,320 --> 00:10:33,120 Speaker 2: through the motions. Overall, that's not sustainable and is not 210 00:10:33,160 --> 00:10:35,120 Speaker 2: good for the game. So you want if Nick is 211 00:10:35,160 --> 00:10:36,840 Speaker 2: a free agent, if Jason is a free agent, you 212 00:10:36,880 --> 00:10:40,160 Speaker 2: want twenty teams bidding for you, not just the top seven. 213 00:10:40,520 --> 00:10:42,520 Speaker 2: And if those teams have a shortstop, then Jason's out 214 00:10:42,520 --> 00:10:45,720 Speaker 2: of a job, or he has to, you know, kind 215 00:10:45,720 --> 00:10:48,920 Speaker 2: of settle for whatever's out there. 216 00:10:49,280 --> 00:10:51,800 Speaker 1: So I think there, you know, change positions, maybe world 217 00:10:51,960 --> 00:10:53,439 Speaker 1: period positions. 218 00:10:53,880 --> 00:10:58,040 Speaker 2: Very dangerous move, but it works. Sometimes you want competitive balance. Obviously, 219 00:10:58,080 --> 00:11:00,480 Speaker 2: service time is a big one. Right some times, if 220 00:11:00,559 --> 00:11:02,760 Speaker 2: Jason is ready to play in the big leagues, we'll 221 00:11:02,800 --> 00:11:05,439 Speaker 2: keep you down with the Atlanta Braves farm system because 222 00:11:05,480 --> 00:11:08,320 Speaker 2: we want to really maximize your six full years with 223 00:11:08,360 --> 00:11:11,520 Speaker 2: the Atlanta Braves before you become a free agent, and 224 00:11:11,600 --> 00:11:13,280 Speaker 2: a lot of teams instead of bringing you up even 225 00:11:13,280 --> 00:11:15,880 Speaker 2: though you're ready, we'll keep you up an extra three 226 00:11:15,960 --> 00:11:17,839 Speaker 2: or four months down the miners because we don't want 227 00:11:17,840 --> 00:11:20,840 Speaker 2: that clock to start. So manipulating of that is a 228 00:11:20,840 --> 00:11:23,520 Speaker 2: big thing. Instead of being six years a free agent, 229 00:11:23,679 --> 00:11:26,760 Speaker 2: maybe become a free agent after four years, because the 230 00:11:26,840 --> 00:11:29,360 Speaker 2: trend now is after thirty two, a lot of guys 231 00:11:29,360 --> 00:11:33,200 Speaker 2: are just basically going home. When I played, guys just 232 00:11:33,200 --> 00:11:35,680 Speaker 2: played to thirty seven, thirty eight to forty. So that's 233 00:11:35,679 --> 00:11:38,200 Speaker 2: another big one. And then the biggest one, which is 234 00:11:38,360 --> 00:11:42,240 Speaker 2: fighting words, is a salary cap which players have never had. 235 00:11:42,600 --> 00:11:45,480 Speaker 2: Marvin Miller, when he started the Union many many decades ago, 236 00:11:45,880 --> 00:11:48,440 Speaker 2: handed the baton to Don fear to Michael Wiener to 237 00:11:48,520 --> 00:11:51,760 Speaker 2: Tony and now just for folks at home, it's going 238 00:11:51,840 --> 00:11:54,640 Speaker 2: to be Rob Manford and Dan haleam on the legal 239 00:11:54,720 --> 00:11:57,880 Speaker 2: side for Major League Baseball, and Tony Clark is out. 240 00:11:58,120 --> 00:12:01,200 Speaker 2: The last head of the union. Bruce Meyer is in. 241 00:12:01,559 --> 00:12:03,400 Speaker 2: Who's very connected to Scott Boris? 242 00:12:03,480 --> 00:12:05,960 Speaker 1: Yeah, Scott Boris. Of course, the agent was your agent 243 00:12:06,160 --> 00:12:08,760 Speaker 1: was one. Soto's agent is agent to a couple of 244 00:12:09,200 --> 00:12:11,840 Speaker 1: very key players. Now all right, let me ask you 245 00:12:11,880 --> 00:12:13,880 Speaker 1: the question, should there be a salary gap? 246 00:12:14,559 --> 00:12:16,880 Speaker 2: I don't like the worst salary cap. What I would 247 00:12:16,880 --> 00:12:20,240 Speaker 2: try to find is there a way to make number one. 248 00:12:21,200 --> 00:12:23,800 Speaker 2: If you have eight hundred players in the union, make 249 00:12:23,960 --> 00:12:27,760 Speaker 2: more players more money. If the number sit today, that 250 00:12:28,400 --> 00:12:30,640 Speaker 2: eighty percent of the salaries go to ten percent of 251 00:12:30,640 --> 00:12:32,840 Speaker 2: the players. I don't think there's a good thing. I'd 252 00:12:32,840 --> 00:12:35,480 Speaker 2: love to see a little bit more democratic. Maybe you 253 00:12:35,679 --> 00:12:39,280 Speaker 2: up the minimum for rookies, But if a guy like 254 00:12:39,440 --> 00:12:42,520 Speaker 2: Shohil Tani doesn't make seventy and he makes. 255 00:12:42,320 --> 00:12:44,000 Speaker 1: Sixty six, I think he'll be just fine with that. 256 00:12:44,360 --> 00:12:48,000 Speaker 2: So elevate the bottom a little bit and then create 257 00:12:48,040 --> 00:12:51,120 Speaker 2: a little bit of an opportunity. Look, Oklahoma City almost 258 00:12:51,120 --> 00:12:52,880 Speaker 2: spend eight hundred million dollars in three. 259 00:12:52,760 --> 00:12:54,520 Speaker 1: Players, which is awesome in THEBA. 260 00:12:54,640 --> 00:12:57,679 Speaker 2: In the NBA, how do we get the Marlins the 261 00:12:57,760 --> 00:13:01,000 Speaker 2: Kansas City Royals to be able maybe not to do 262 00:13:01,040 --> 00:13:03,079 Speaker 2: that eight hundreds a lot, but can they spend a 263 00:13:03,120 --> 00:13:05,600 Speaker 2: couple hundred million dollars in one given off season? I 264 00:13:05,600 --> 00:13:08,200 Speaker 2: think today, because of the way the business and the 265 00:13:08,240 --> 00:13:13,160 Speaker 2: CBA is constructed, I don't think that's possible or physically responsible. 266 00:13:13,320 --> 00:13:16,160 Speaker 1: Right, So let me ask you a question, because I'm 267 00:13:16,200 --> 00:13:18,680 Speaker 1: still with your help and others, you know, coming to 268 00:13:18,760 --> 00:13:21,520 Speaker 1: learn sort of the intricacies of baseball and the differences 269 00:13:22,240 --> 00:13:25,120 Speaker 1: in the business model. Isn't part of this owing to 270 00:13:25,160 --> 00:13:27,679 Speaker 1: the fact that there is no national TV deal? I mean, 271 00:13:27,760 --> 00:13:30,320 Speaker 1: isn't that one of the things that does help the 272 00:13:30,440 --> 00:13:35,319 Speaker 1: NBA and the NFL certainly have this sort of much 273 00:13:35,520 --> 00:13:39,200 Speaker 1: more shared large ass across all the leagues. So how 274 00:13:39,280 --> 00:13:42,200 Speaker 1: much does the media sort of element factor into this? 275 00:13:42,360 --> 00:13:44,160 Speaker 2: The media is everything, right, because even if you think 276 00:13:44,160 --> 00:13:46,960 Speaker 2: about the NBA, when you invest in an NBA team 277 00:13:47,240 --> 00:13:50,560 Speaker 2: as a general partner or as a limited partner, basically 278 00:13:50,600 --> 00:13:54,240 Speaker 2: your bet, as simple, sixty percent of your bet is 279 00:13:54,280 --> 00:13:57,960 Speaker 2: on NBA inc. Meaning the national TV deal and national 280 00:13:58,000 --> 00:14:01,839 Speaker 2: resources that gets spread even across thirty owners, thirty teams. 281 00:14:02,400 --> 00:14:03,360 Speaker 1: That's shared revenue. 282 00:14:03,360 --> 00:14:06,800 Speaker 2: That's shared revenue, which means if you're the Knicks or 283 00:14:06,800 --> 00:14:08,760 Speaker 2: the Lakers in the two biggest market, you get the 284 00:14:08,800 --> 00:14:11,360 Speaker 2: same check as Oklahoma City from the media National TV 285 00:14:11,840 --> 00:14:15,240 Speaker 2: that was just signed a year ago for seventy seven 286 00:14:15,280 --> 00:14:18,120 Speaker 2: billion over eleven years, one years behind us, ten years 287 00:14:18,160 --> 00:14:21,200 Speaker 2: to go. When it comes to baseball, it goes to 288 00:14:21,240 --> 00:14:24,360 Speaker 2: the history of the three bets that. 289 00:14:24,240 --> 00:14:25,000 Speaker 1: These leagues made. 290 00:14:26,280 --> 00:14:30,480 Speaker 2: NFL and the NBA made a national bet and not 291 00:14:30,520 --> 00:14:33,640 Speaker 2: a regional bet, meaning that they decided to collect all 292 00:14:33,680 --> 00:14:37,880 Speaker 2: their IP and go all in with the national short 293 00:14:37,960 --> 00:14:40,640 Speaker 2: term was a good bet, not a great bet. The 294 00:14:40,680 --> 00:14:45,640 Speaker 2: previous commissioner made a bet which was for baseball ceiling. Yes, 295 00:14:46,160 --> 00:14:49,920 Speaker 2: let's take a regional bet, not a national bet, which 296 00:14:49,960 --> 00:14:54,000 Speaker 2: is why. And by the way, that worked really really 297 00:14:54,000 --> 00:14:57,840 Speaker 2: well when everybody was watching TV and before the cut 298 00:14:57,880 --> 00:15:00,640 Speaker 2: cutting started, they were making hundreds and undreds of millions 299 00:15:00,640 --> 00:15:04,520 Speaker 2: of dollars, if not billions collectively from the regional network deals. 300 00:15:05,080 --> 00:15:08,000 Speaker 2: As that's kind of been cut back then where you 301 00:15:08,040 --> 00:15:12,040 Speaker 2: sit today, just for some context, and that'll change very 302 00:15:12,040 --> 00:15:13,920 Speaker 2: soon with the opt out of the NFL. NFL makes 303 00:15:13,920 --> 00:15:16,800 Speaker 2: one hundred and ten billion over eleven years, which they 304 00:15:16,800 --> 00:15:21,520 Speaker 2: have an opt out, NBA seventy seven billion over eleven 305 00:15:21,920 --> 00:15:24,360 Speaker 2: and base was a ten billion over I think seven 306 00:15:24,440 --> 00:15:28,080 Speaker 2: or something, which tells you to drop off, right, So 307 00:15:28,200 --> 00:15:30,120 Speaker 2: now you've got to think about, like, okay, different world, 308 00:15:30,200 --> 00:15:33,440 Speaker 2: how do we rewrite our constitution in many ways and 309 00:15:33,960 --> 00:15:36,720 Speaker 2: bring it all back to the IP And as interesting 310 00:15:36,760 --> 00:15:39,720 Speaker 2: as Netflix has opening Day, which we'll talk about, how 311 00:15:39,760 --> 00:15:41,280 Speaker 2: do you now push that forward for the next ten 312 00:15:41,320 --> 00:15:44,720 Speaker 2: fifteen years, not only so the game can survive, but 313 00:15:44,720 --> 00:15:46,600 Speaker 2: more importantly so I can thrive. 314 00:15:47,040 --> 00:15:50,760 Speaker 1: And presumably so I mean, I do think this is 315 00:15:50,800 --> 00:15:53,720 Speaker 1: all of a piece in the sense of so that 316 00:15:53,960 --> 00:15:58,040 Speaker 1: everybody can participate in it. Because this model, this regional 317 00:15:58,080 --> 00:16:01,960 Speaker 1: sports model, is not, I think I can say this 318 00:16:01,960 --> 00:16:04,760 Speaker 1: pretty comfortably, is not the right model for now, for 319 00:16:05,160 --> 00:16:07,720 Speaker 1: today in twenty twenty six. So let's talk about Netflix 320 00:16:07,720 --> 00:16:09,800 Speaker 1: for a second, which is they're gonna have an opening 321 00:16:09,880 --> 00:16:14,120 Speaker 1: Day Yankees versus Giants. Reportedly it's a deal that they paid. 322 00:16:14,120 --> 00:16:16,560 Speaker 1: It's worth fifty million dollars over the next three years, 323 00:16:16,600 --> 00:16:21,120 Speaker 1: which is kind of amazing, an amazing stat as a 324 00:16:21,160 --> 00:16:25,000 Speaker 1: traditional broadcaster but also a podcaster and someone who understands 325 00:16:25,040 --> 00:16:27,000 Speaker 1: media really well, what do you make of Netflix being 326 00:16:27,000 --> 00:16:28,280 Speaker 1: in this position? I love it. 327 00:16:28,360 --> 00:16:32,480 Speaker 2: I mean, anytime you have a business, what are they 328 00:16:32,520 --> 00:16:35,240 Speaker 2: worth over one hundred million dollars market cap now coming 329 00:16:35,320 --> 00:16:38,240 Speaker 2: into a space like baseball, It's a great day for baseball. 330 00:16:38,520 --> 00:16:40,960 Speaker 2: And not only do they get a fantastic game and 331 00:16:41,000 --> 00:16:45,000 Speaker 2: an exclusive opener on the twenty fifth on Wednesday, they're 332 00:16:45,040 --> 00:16:48,640 Speaker 2: bringing out all the stars. They have Sabathia, they have 333 00:16:48,720 --> 00:16:53,680 Speaker 2: Matt Veskershon doing the play by play see Sabathian hundred pence. 334 00:16:54,040 --> 00:16:58,840 Speaker 2: And then for the pregame they have l Duncan, Barry Bonds, 335 00:16:58,880 --> 00:17:02,640 Speaker 2: which is huge first time i'me ever, Albert Pujols and 336 00:17:02,720 --> 00:17:05,720 Speaker 2: Anthony Rizzol. So they have all the stars out and 337 00:17:05,760 --> 00:17:09,000 Speaker 2: they have a great game, and they have complete exclusivity, 338 00:17:09,359 --> 00:17:11,600 Speaker 2: much like the NFL would have on any given Wednesday. 339 00:17:11,680 --> 00:17:15,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, exactly. Well, and I think we really saw that 340 00:17:16,760 --> 00:17:21,560 Speaker 1: in football. The Netflix Christmas Game did huge numbers. I 341 00:17:21,560 --> 00:17:24,560 Speaker 1: mean a lot of people have Netflix. Netflix pretty powerful. 342 00:17:24,600 --> 00:17:28,000 Speaker 1: I mean that's not a controversial statement. Before we get 343 00:17:28,000 --> 00:17:31,600 Speaker 1: too far from the CBA conversation, I want to ask 344 00:17:31,600 --> 00:17:34,959 Speaker 1: you about a lockout. This is a really interesting quote 345 00:17:35,000 --> 00:17:37,320 Speaker 1: that one of our producers found and shared with me 346 00:17:37,720 --> 00:17:41,200 Speaker 1: Last year twenty twenty five, Rob Manford, the commissioner, told 347 00:17:41,200 --> 00:17:44,320 Speaker 1: the Athletic quote and offseason lockout should be considered the 348 00:17:44,359 --> 00:17:46,919 Speaker 1: new norm. In a bizarre way, it's actually a positive. 349 00:17:47,280 --> 00:17:49,760 Speaker 1: The great thing about off season lockouts is the leverage 350 00:17:49,800 --> 00:17:53,440 Speaker 1: that exists gets applied between the bargaining parties. I mean, 351 00:17:53,480 --> 00:17:55,800 Speaker 1: to me, that's a wild statement of like, yeah, we're 352 00:17:55,800 --> 00:17:58,040 Speaker 1: gonna have a lockout, Bros, Like this is gonna happen. 353 00:17:58,480 --> 00:18:00,000 Speaker 1: Do you think that's a good strategy. 354 00:18:00,880 --> 00:18:03,760 Speaker 2: I think to the business community, I think our listeners 355 00:18:03,800 --> 00:18:06,840 Speaker 2: will get that and say, Okay, that's a very negotiation 356 00:18:07,200 --> 00:18:12,199 Speaker 2: measured quote negotiations. I think the way that plays in 357 00:18:12,240 --> 00:18:16,600 Speaker 2: the locker room. Unfortunately, in major league clubhouses across thirty teams, 358 00:18:17,280 --> 00:18:20,400 Speaker 2: it's almost seen as bulletin material where players can look 359 00:18:20,400 --> 00:18:23,280 Speaker 2: at that and say, huh are those fighting words or not. 360 00:18:23,920 --> 00:18:26,639 Speaker 2: So in these kind of cases, I just don't like 361 00:18:26,680 --> 00:18:29,120 Speaker 2: poking the bear. Yeah, because I've spoken to a lot 362 00:18:29,160 --> 00:18:32,520 Speaker 2: of people on both sides, owners and players, and they're 363 00:18:32,560 --> 00:18:35,080 Speaker 2: both as confident and as dug in as I've ever 364 00:18:35,080 --> 00:18:36,280 Speaker 2: seen them in thirty years. 365 00:18:37,160 --> 00:18:40,800 Speaker 1: And speaking of which, you were in the lockout in 366 00:18:40,920 --> 00:18:43,800 Speaker 1: ninety five. Take us back there. You've talked about this 367 00:18:44,040 --> 00:18:48,320 Speaker 1: a little bit before, but I do wonder psychologically what 368 00:18:48,400 --> 00:18:52,679 Speaker 1: it does to a player. I mean, yes, you're worried 369 00:18:52,680 --> 00:18:54,960 Speaker 1: about you want to play the game, you love the game, 370 00:18:55,000 --> 00:18:57,320 Speaker 1: et cetera, etc. This is the deal, this is Blueberg. 371 00:18:57,400 --> 00:18:59,679 Speaker 1: Let's talk about money. You gotta be worried about your 372 00:18:59,680 --> 00:19:02,440 Speaker 1: money at that point because you know it's going to 373 00:19:02,520 --> 00:19:06,640 Speaker 1: come back eventually. But there's real financial stakes. I would 374 00:19:06,680 --> 00:19:07,960 Speaker 1: imagine did you feel. 375 00:19:07,720 --> 00:19:11,639 Speaker 2: That huge, huge financial stakes. And let's not you know, 376 00:19:11,720 --> 00:19:15,320 Speaker 2: we have to double click. That is the first year 377 00:19:16,320 --> 00:19:18,920 Speaker 2: with the head of the union and Bruce Myers. Yeah right, 378 00:19:19,000 --> 00:19:23,240 Speaker 2: that's not like the ideal time to just ease someone. 379 00:19:22,960 --> 00:19:24,720 Speaker 1: In the back door. Here. 380 00:19:24,800 --> 00:19:28,760 Speaker 2: It is the most important consequential negotiation in the history. 381 00:19:28,760 --> 00:19:31,159 Speaker 1: Well, this wasn't on purpose. It's not on purpose. It 382 00:19:31,280 --> 00:19:33,600 Speaker 1: was a little bit of a curveball. But just keep 383 00:19:33,600 --> 00:19:35,000 Speaker 1: that in mind because I think that's important. 384 00:19:35,040 --> 00:19:37,720 Speaker 2: Why because when Don Fear will come in and give 385 00:19:37,760 --> 00:19:40,439 Speaker 2: us three hour speeches in spring training, I mean he 386 00:19:40,520 --> 00:19:44,919 Speaker 2: was an incredible storyteller. He was a fantastic negotiator. He 387 00:19:45,119 --> 00:19:47,360 Speaker 2: learned on the Marvin Miller that the one that started 388 00:19:47,400 --> 00:19:52,800 Speaker 2: the union before him, and he had this gravity about 389 00:19:52,840 --> 00:19:55,560 Speaker 2: Don Fear And by the way, gene oors that his 390 00:19:55,640 --> 00:19:58,800 Speaker 2: number two was just as tough and just as nasty 391 00:19:58,920 --> 00:20:01,480 Speaker 2: and awesome. Right, guys, you want to go to war with. 392 00:20:01,880 --> 00:20:03,600 Speaker 2: Bruce is still trying to get his feel. He's been 393 00:20:03,640 --> 00:20:05,400 Speaker 2: there for a minute. It's not like he hasn't been there. 394 00:20:05,400 --> 00:20:08,480 Speaker 2: But it's one thing. There's a great saying in basketball 395 00:20:08,520 --> 00:20:11,440 Speaker 2: that says, for those six inches that you sit between 396 00:20:11,480 --> 00:20:15,239 Speaker 2: the head coaching job and the assistant. While it's only 397 00:20:15,280 --> 00:20:18,520 Speaker 2: a few inches, boys, it's around the world. So it's 398 00:20:18,560 --> 00:20:20,520 Speaker 2: interesting to see how he's going to react when all 399 00:20:20,520 --> 00:20:22,119 Speaker 2: the attention is on him. 400 00:20:22,840 --> 00:20:23,560 Speaker 1: How does it feel? 401 00:20:25,000 --> 00:20:28,200 Speaker 2: It feels scary if you think about it, Jason, five 402 00:20:28,240 --> 00:20:30,320 Speaker 2: and a half years is an average career in Major League Baseball, 403 00:20:30,520 --> 00:20:32,120 Speaker 2: and then number's going down that up. 404 00:20:32,400 --> 00:20:33,639 Speaker 1: So if you think about it, Jason, if you have 405 00:20:33,720 --> 00:20:35,080 Speaker 1: five years. 406 00:20:34,920 --> 00:20:38,639 Speaker 2: To collect W two income in your career and you 407 00:20:38,720 --> 00:20:41,520 Speaker 2: give away one or half, you give it away almost 408 00:20:41,560 --> 00:20:42,119 Speaker 2: twenty percent. 409 00:20:42,240 --> 00:20:44,840 Speaker 1: It is scary. If you have a young wife, young kids, 410 00:20:45,119 --> 00:20:45,520 Speaker 1: a lot. 411 00:20:45,400 --> 00:20:50,080 Speaker 2: Of responsibility a mortgage, two cars, three cars, private schools, 412 00:20:50,119 --> 00:20:52,280 Speaker 2: life is expensive, inflation, There's a lot of things that 413 00:20:52,320 --> 00:20:55,119 Speaker 2: go on. And when you read the headlines say union 414 00:20:55,160 --> 00:20:59,720 Speaker 2: is really really strong, both things can be true with 415 00:20:59,760 --> 00:21:00,880 Speaker 2: a fear underneath. 416 00:21:01,080 --> 00:21:03,840 Speaker 1: Yeah, because I mean, listen, there's I can't think of 417 00:21:03,880 --> 00:21:08,040 Speaker 1: another business maybe than media, but certainly sports is one 418 00:21:08,080 --> 00:21:10,800 Speaker 1: where you know somebody's coming for your job. And so 419 00:21:10,960 --> 00:21:14,520 Speaker 1: if you're a year on in your career, that's one 420 00:21:14,600 --> 00:21:17,440 Speaker 1: year that like they're coming for you. So I would 421 00:21:17,440 --> 00:21:22,239 Speaker 1: just imagine from an athlete's perspective, the psychology has got 422 00:21:22,280 --> 00:21:26,159 Speaker 1: to be very difficult, especially when you know this is 423 00:21:26,200 --> 00:21:30,040 Speaker 1: a CBA that doesn't the current CBA doesn't run out 424 00:21:30,119 --> 00:21:33,080 Speaker 1: until the end of this calendar year, and yet we 425 00:21:33,080 --> 00:21:35,399 Speaker 1: were talking about it last year. It's just I mean, 426 00:21:35,480 --> 00:21:37,880 Speaker 1: talk about the elephant in the room that you're always 427 00:21:37,880 --> 00:21:41,560 Speaker 1: thinking about. I would imagine in these sorts of times, 428 00:21:42,280 --> 00:21:44,320 Speaker 1: and again, you were early in your career, but you 429 00:21:44,320 --> 00:21:46,080 Speaker 1: talk to players all the time. They must be talking 430 00:21:46,119 --> 00:21:48,280 Speaker 1: to their agents, they must be talking to their financial advice, 431 00:21:48,280 --> 00:21:51,680 Speaker 1: you know, sort of like gaming out how this may go. Right. 432 00:21:51,880 --> 00:21:54,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, I've had owners tell me it doesn't matter. The 433 00:21:54,640 --> 00:21:57,800 Speaker 2: game has to be fixed is broken. If we have 434 00:21:57,800 --> 00:21:59,680 Speaker 2: to lock out the whole year, we will. I've heard 435 00:21:59,680 --> 00:22:02,320 Speaker 2: players say we'll never take a salary cap many players. 436 00:22:02,600 --> 00:22:05,399 Speaker 2: If we have to sit out a whole year, we will. Now, 437 00:22:06,119 --> 00:22:08,600 Speaker 2: when I was in the room, I remember Don Fear 438 00:22:08,680 --> 00:22:10,840 Speaker 2: doing a great speech. Everyone Hurrah, Everyone comes to the 439 00:22:10,840 --> 00:22:13,679 Speaker 2: middle players junior, Yeah, one, two, three, Yes, we're together. 440 00:22:14,680 --> 00:22:17,600 Speaker 2: The next two or three days, real conversations around the 441 00:22:17,640 --> 00:22:21,639 Speaker 2: lunch room, around stretch. The next morning, guy saying, is 442 00:22:21,680 --> 00:22:23,440 Speaker 2: there a real chance of blocking out? And this goes 443 00:22:23,600 --> 00:22:25,760 Speaker 2: a lot from the young guys that have an incredible 444 00:22:25,760 --> 00:22:26,680 Speaker 2: amount of uncertainty. 445 00:22:26,800 --> 00:22:27,000 Speaker 1: Yeah. 446 00:22:27,280 --> 00:22:29,479 Speaker 2: So my point is, sometimes don't believe all the headlines. 447 00:22:29,520 --> 00:22:32,000 Speaker 2: Don't believe the quote from Rob, don't believe the quote 448 00:22:32,000 --> 00:22:34,480 Speaker 2: from Bruce Meyers that you'll be reading. There's a lot 449 00:22:34,520 --> 00:22:36,560 Speaker 2: of sub conversations going on underneath. 450 00:22:36,720 --> 00:22:41,400 Speaker 1: Yeah. That is a lot more measured and realistic and truthful. Yeah. 451 00:22:41,440 --> 00:22:44,959 Speaker 1: And I mean, listen, there is real I think, especially now, 452 00:22:45,760 --> 00:22:48,480 Speaker 1: and I can say this maybe more easily than you can. 453 00:22:48,840 --> 00:22:52,919 Speaker 1: Here in twenty twenty six, the existential threat to a 454 00:22:53,040 --> 00:22:56,760 Speaker 1: sport is even more real than it used to being. 455 00:22:56,840 --> 00:23:00,159 Speaker 1: And what I mean by that is our time is 456 00:23:00,240 --> 00:23:02,959 Speaker 1: so divided by so many different things, and so if 457 00:23:02,960 --> 00:23:07,040 Speaker 1: something goes away, Baseball goes away for a year, people 458 00:23:07,160 --> 00:23:09,200 Speaker 1: kind of move on. They you know, they focus more 459 00:23:09,200 --> 00:23:11,560 Speaker 1: in the NBA, they focus more in football. Those sports 460 00:23:11,600 --> 00:23:14,000 Speaker 1: are swallowing the world. 461 00:23:14,160 --> 00:23:16,040 Speaker 2: There is so much at risk at every level, Jason. 462 00:23:16,080 --> 00:23:18,280 Speaker 2: I mean, if you think about the four major sports 463 00:23:18,280 --> 00:23:20,960 Speaker 2: in America, right, NHL, NFL, NBA. 464 00:23:20,720 --> 00:23:21,160 Speaker 1: And MLB. 465 00:23:21,800 --> 00:23:26,719 Speaker 2: If you look at enterprise values of these franchises, ironically, 466 00:23:26,880 --> 00:23:29,480 Speaker 2: number one is NHL with twenty seven percent rise of 467 00:23:29,480 --> 00:23:32,280 Speaker 2: the last three or four years, right twenty seven. NFL 468 00:23:32,440 --> 00:23:35,200 Speaker 2: and NBA are both in nineteen percent. Baseball is sub 469 00:23:35,240 --> 00:23:38,959 Speaker 2: five percent. Why is because there's uncertainty around the CBA. 470 00:23:39,119 --> 00:23:43,639 Speaker 2: There's uncertainty about people cutting the cords. There's uncertainty about 471 00:23:43,840 --> 00:23:48,800 Speaker 2: where is the guaranteed revenue that investment bankers can underwrite 472 00:23:49,320 --> 00:23:53,600 Speaker 2: as a paper that's investable right now. On the other 473 00:23:53,640 --> 00:23:55,960 Speaker 2: side of that, I think is the best time in 474 00:23:56,000 --> 00:23:58,760 Speaker 2: over ten years to invest into a Major League Baseball 475 00:23:58,760 --> 00:23:59,919 Speaker 2: team because you invest right into the. 476 00:24:00,040 --> 00:24:01,240 Speaker 1: Teeth of all this uncertainty. 477 00:24:01,320 --> 00:24:03,159 Speaker 2: Yeah, and I think that's good and you're bet as 478 00:24:03,200 --> 00:24:05,520 Speaker 2: simple that things will get a little bit better and 479 00:24:05,560 --> 00:24:07,359 Speaker 2: the game will continue to thrive. Yeah, and I think 480 00:24:07,359 --> 00:24:09,720 Speaker 2: there's a pretty fair bet, right Is there going to 481 00:24:09,720 --> 00:24:12,320 Speaker 2: be a sounder cap? No idea is there going to be? 482 00:24:12,720 --> 00:24:14,440 Speaker 2: I have no idea, but I can make a bet 483 00:24:14,480 --> 00:24:16,960 Speaker 2: that is going to get better, Yeah, if once things 484 00:24:16,960 --> 00:24:17,600 Speaker 2: get agreed on. 485 00:24:29,640 --> 00:24:31,560 Speaker 1: One thing I did want to ask you about before 486 00:24:31,560 --> 00:24:35,359 Speaker 1: we wrap up is is this idea of polymarket is 487 00:24:35,359 --> 00:24:38,400 Speaker 1: now coming. In March nineteenth, there's a deal announced between 488 00:24:38,520 --> 00:24:41,400 Speaker 1: MLB and Polymarket. So I'm just going to read here 489 00:24:41,640 --> 00:24:45,040 Speaker 1: the exclusive prediction market partner of MLB, the only platform 490 00:24:45,080 --> 00:24:48,560 Speaker 1: allowed to use teams and logos and marks. I mean, 491 00:24:49,119 --> 00:24:51,400 Speaker 1: how this all shakes out, no one knows. Mean there's 492 00:24:51,440 --> 00:24:56,400 Speaker 1: literally legislation that's being introduced to ban Polymarket and its 493 00:24:56,400 --> 00:24:59,720 Speaker 1: competitor Calshi from doing sports contracts. But for the moment, 494 00:25:00,080 --> 00:25:02,280 Speaker 1: baseball is leaning into this good idea. 495 00:25:03,160 --> 00:25:05,800 Speaker 2: I think Rob is just showing your Manford and his 496 00:25:05,880 --> 00:25:08,920 Speaker 2: executive team that they're willing to push the envelope, that 497 00:25:08,920 --> 00:25:12,080 Speaker 2: they're willing to go to places they would have never 498 00:25:12,160 --> 00:25:16,119 Speaker 2: even dreamed or thought of. And I give them credit 499 00:25:16,320 --> 00:25:19,240 Speaker 2: because for a long time, we're playing and competing against 500 00:25:19,280 --> 00:25:21,840 Speaker 2: the other sports and you're not competing against sports to 501 00:25:21,840 --> 00:25:25,320 Speaker 2: your point, Jase, you're competing against Netflix, Apple, YouTube. I mean, 502 00:25:25,480 --> 00:25:29,119 Speaker 2: everyone's fighting for the consumer eyeballs, and they're willing to 503 00:25:29,160 --> 00:25:33,879 Speaker 2: push by changing rules, getting rid of the shift, pushing 504 00:25:33,920 --> 00:25:36,280 Speaker 2: this WBC, which is kind of like listening to the 505 00:25:36,280 --> 00:25:39,640 Speaker 2: fan base. I think baseball is doing an extraordinary job 506 00:25:39,680 --> 00:25:42,760 Speaker 2: in comparison to where they were years ago to listening 507 00:25:42,800 --> 00:25:45,040 Speaker 2: to the fan base and giving them exactly what they're 508 00:25:45,040 --> 00:25:45,520 Speaker 2: looking for. 509 00:25:45,680 --> 00:25:47,919 Speaker 1: All right, So to wrap up, one of the things 510 00:25:47,960 --> 00:25:50,280 Speaker 1: I love about you is you love baseball. I mean, 511 00:25:50,320 --> 00:25:54,080 Speaker 1: you love baseball more than anything other than your family. 512 00:25:54,359 --> 00:25:58,320 Speaker 1: And maybe sometimes there are questions, I'm just kidding. And 513 00:25:58,359 --> 00:26:01,760 Speaker 1: one of my favorite moments in the Alex Versus a 514 00:26:01,880 --> 00:26:04,679 Speaker 1: Rod docu series that came out late last year is 515 00:26:04,720 --> 00:26:08,840 Speaker 1: between you and Jeter talking about you just love watching 516 00:26:08,880 --> 00:26:12,520 Speaker 1: baseball games. And you guys would finish playing a game, 517 00:26:12,760 --> 00:26:14,400 Speaker 1: you'd go home and be like, all right, what time 518 00:26:14,440 --> 00:26:17,119 Speaker 1: were the West Coast games on? We're watching our game again, 519 00:26:17,200 --> 00:26:20,360 Speaker 1: Like we're doing this. You love baseball? What are the 520 00:26:21,160 --> 00:26:24,040 Speaker 1: And by the way, the Jeter household was like, we're 521 00:26:24,040 --> 00:26:26,600 Speaker 1: going out to dinner, what are you talking about? Seco 522 00:26:28,600 --> 00:26:31,400 Speaker 1: What are the storylines you're most interested in going into 523 00:26:31,400 --> 00:26:31,879 Speaker 1: this season. 524 00:26:32,680 --> 00:26:35,119 Speaker 2: Well, first of all, people thought that Derek and I 525 00:26:35,160 --> 00:26:37,080 Speaker 2: didn't go to lunch of dinner a lot because we 526 00:26:37,119 --> 00:26:39,399 Speaker 2: had beef. It was because we had to negotiate what 527 00:26:39,480 --> 00:26:41,879 Speaker 2: games we're gonna watch and I wanted to watch it. 528 00:26:41,960 --> 00:26:43,800 Speaker 2: He didn't want to watch, which makes you why he 529 00:26:43,880 --> 00:26:46,280 Speaker 2: was cooler than me. What am I looking for so much? 530 00:26:46,320 --> 00:26:48,159 Speaker 2: I mean, when was it last time you had the 531 00:26:48,200 --> 00:26:51,199 Speaker 2: best two players? This is the closest we're ever going 532 00:26:51,240 --> 00:26:57,359 Speaker 2: to have to Magic versus Bird, Otani versus Judge. Yeah, 533 00:26:57,440 --> 00:27:00,720 Speaker 2: you know, coast to coast, two biggest. 534 00:27:00,400 --> 00:27:02,400 Speaker 1: Market Yankee Dodgers. I mean, it's come on. 535 00:27:02,320 --> 00:27:02,960 Speaker 2: What's better than that? 536 00:27:03,080 --> 00:27:03,280 Speaker 1: Right? 537 00:27:03,440 --> 00:27:05,719 Speaker 2: Three home runs from Reggie obviously the history going back 538 00:27:05,760 --> 00:27:08,639 Speaker 2: to the late seventies or early eighties. But then you 539 00:27:08,720 --> 00:27:12,760 Speaker 2: have Judge and Otani in the one to two markets, 540 00:27:13,160 --> 00:27:15,440 Speaker 2: two great teams that can also play again in the 541 00:27:15,440 --> 00:27:20,080 Speaker 2: World Series. Both of them have back to back MVPs. 542 00:27:20,400 --> 00:27:22,480 Speaker 2: Not only are they the best players in the league, 543 00:27:22,480 --> 00:27:24,600 Speaker 2: they're also two of the greatest humans ambassadors for the 544 00:27:24,600 --> 00:27:28,439 Speaker 2: game of baseball. But then when you zoom out, you 545 00:27:28,520 --> 00:27:34,600 Speaker 2: have probably seven of the top markets all being really, 546 00:27:34,600 --> 00:27:38,119 Speaker 2: really good. You look at the Mets, they're coming and 547 00:27:38,119 --> 00:27:40,880 Speaker 2: they're coming strong. The Red Sox are back, the Phillies 548 00:27:40,920 --> 00:27:45,040 Speaker 2: are on fire. The Braves, much to your happiness, are 549 00:27:45,080 --> 00:27:47,800 Speaker 2: back with a Kunya healthy. And then in the West 550 00:27:47,840 --> 00:27:50,960 Speaker 2: Coast you have La San Diego Padres is sizzling hot, 551 00:27:51,119 --> 00:27:52,200 Speaker 2: a team that's on the market. 552 00:27:52,440 --> 00:27:54,159 Speaker 1: If you're interested. We'll talk about that in the future. 553 00:27:54,800 --> 00:27:56,200 Speaker 1: We have a lot to share there when the time 554 00:27:56,280 --> 00:27:56,560 Speaker 1: is right. 555 00:27:57,240 --> 00:27:59,480 Speaker 2: And then you have school Boys, the top free agent 556 00:28:00,240 --> 00:28:04,640 Speaker 2: in the game, represented by Scott Boris. But baseball Baseball's back. 557 00:28:04,880 --> 00:28:08,840 Speaker 2: And again, all of this in the shadows of the 558 00:28:08,880 --> 00:28:12,359 Speaker 2: most important year in the last thirty or forty years 559 00:28:13,000 --> 00:28:16,159 Speaker 2: for the sport and its future because of CBA. 560 00:28:17,359 --> 00:28:20,360 Speaker 1: Expiring December one, twenty twenty six. Yeah, I always look 561 00:28:20,400 --> 00:28:25,320 Speaker 1: forward to October seeing you and the boys on Fox 562 00:28:25,440 --> 00:28:28,600 Speaker 1: talking about things. You're going to be covering the World 563 00:28:28,640 --> 00:28:30,600 Speaker 1: Series again, who's going to be playing? 564 00:28:31,720 --> 00:28:33,720 Speaker 2: It's hard, man, It's hard to go against the Dodgers, 565 00:28:34,560 --> 00:28:37,320 Speaker 2: and they've they haven't taken a step back. 566 00:28:37,320 --> 00:28:40,080 Speaker 1: They've shown you nothing that makes you doubt them. 567 00:28:40,240 --> 00:28:43,080 Speaker 2: I mean, they went out and spend another half a 568 00:28:43,080 --> 00:28:45,840 Speaker 2: billion dollars the gift that keeps on giving. 569 00:28:46,160 --> 00:28:48,840 Speaker 1: So I'm gonna go with unless you're trying to negotiate it, 570 00:28:48,960 --> 00:28:52,840 Speaker 1: CBA exactly, and then maybe it makes a little more complicated. 571 00:28:53,440 --> 00:28:54,959 Speaker 2: I'm going to go a little bit different this year. 572 00:28:54,960 --> 00:28:55,520 Speaker 1: I'm going to go. 573 00:28:57,160 --> 00:28:59,920 Speaker 2: A rematch of the two thousand and nine World Series 574 00:29:00,280 --> 00:29:02,120 Speaker 2: Phillies versus the. 575 00:29:02,040 --> 00:29:04,200 Speaker 1: New York Yankees, Okay, all right? 576 00:29:04,480 --> 00:29:08,160 Speaker 2: And and I'm hopeful that Cashman makes the necessary moves 577 00:29:09,040 --> 00:29:12,040 Speaker 2: at the trade deadline to match any holes that they 578 00:29:12,120 --> 00:29:14,720 Speaker 2: they're looking for, and obviously the health of Garrett Cole 579 00:29:14,800 --> 00:29:18,240 Speaker 2: coming back, it's it's a huge win for the Yankees, 580 00:29:18,280 --> 00:29:18,680 Speaker 2: all right. 581 00:29:18,760 --> 00:29:21,760 Speaker 1: M track series, which I'm I'm here for, I'm here for. 582 00:29:21,840 --> 00:29:24,959 Speaker 1: I would I would love maybe a rematch of the 583 00:29:25,080 --> 00:29:29,040 Speaker 1: ninety six World Series. Okay, that would be Yankees brave, 584 00:29:29,160 --> 00:29:33,680 Speaker 1: That's right, when with a different outcome, with a different outcome. 585 00:29:33,880 --> 00:29:38,280 Speaker 2: I was actually just talking to a friend and I've 586 00:29:38,320 --> 00:29:44,160 Speaker 2: basically seen every pitch of every World Series starting I 587 00:29:44,200 --> 00:29:48,920 Speaker 2: watched half of Detroit Padres, Kansas City, every game that 588 00:29:49,040 --> 00:29:53,400 Speaker 2: was Kansas City Cardinals till today, which is a great 589 00:29:53,440 --> 00:29:55,200 Speaker 2: sign to tell you how much I love baseball. 590 00:29:55,320 --> 00:30:01,640 Speaker 1: Yeah, and what a loser. That is that is deep, 591 00:30:02,560 --> 00:30:05,240 Speaker 1: deep commitment. We're going to talk a lot of baseball 592 00:30:05,240 --> 00:30:08,200 Speaker 1: this season because there are so many storylines. You know. 593 00:30:08,400 --> 00:30:11,000 Speaker 1: An upcoming episode, we're gonna have aj Andrews. She's an 594 00:30:11,400 --> 00:30:13,840 Speaker 1: up and coming broadcaster, comes from the softball side, but 595 00:30:13,880 --> 00:30:17,840 Speaker 1: she's doing a really good show on the MLB network 596 00:30:17,880 --> 00:30:21,080 Speaker 1: called Playball that is really geared toward younger people. So 597 00:30:21,120 --> 00:30:24,480 Speaker 1: you'll hear that. Next week. We actually have Jesse Cole 598 00:30:24,600 --> 00:30:27,680 Speaker 1: from Savannah Bananas. He's got a lot of things going on, 599 00:30:27,960 --> 00:30:31,200 Speaker 1: as we know, in trying to build the game of baseball. 600 00:30:31,560 --> 00:30:33,720 Speaker 1: But I really do think and I think you agree, 601 00:30:34,240 --> 00:30:38,360 Speaker 1: this is the most interesting business side story in sports 602 00:30:38,400 --> 00:30:41,760 Speaker 1: this year. This CBA and what happens with baseball. It 603 00:30:41,880 --> 00:30:43,720 Speaker 1: just it has so much triple effect. 604 00:30:44,240 --> 00:30:48,080 Speaker 2: You're right, Jason. And if I can close with one 605 00:30:48,120 --> 00:30:49,760 Speaker 2: maybe fun recommendation. 606 00:30:49,800 --> 00:30:50,680 Speaker 1: There's so many. 607 00:30:52,360 --> 00:30:58,800 Speaker 2: Titans in the world of business that have incredible reputations, 608 00:30:59,240 --> 00:31:06,480 Speaker 2: Bob Iger, will Obey, Jamie Diamond, Warren Buffett, Jason Kelly, 609 00:31:06,520 --> 00:31:10,240 Speaker 2: you name it, call it nine seven, seven or nine. 610 00:31:10,600 --> 00:31:13,800 Speaker 2: If the Commissioner, Bruce Meyer can come together and say, 611 00:31:14,200 --> 00:31:16,320 Speaker 2: do me a favorite go through the exercise. Do a 612 00:31:16,320 --> 00:31:20,160 Speaker 2: Harvard Business case case study, agnostic to either side, Right, 613 00:31:20,720 --> 00:31:22,920 Speaker 2: what are the three best options for the game of 614 00:31:22,960 --> 00:31:26,160 Speaker 2: baseball to move forward? It would be great to get 615 00:31:26,160 --> 00:31:30,080 Speaker 2: eyeballs on that. Why because anytime the owners open their mouths, 616 00:31:30,880 --> 00:31:35,479 Speaker 2: the union cringes. Every time the union talks, the owners cringe. 617 00:31:35,800 --> 00:31:40,040 Speaker 2: So sometimes you gotta like zoom out, take all the 618 00:31:40,080 --> 00:31:42,960 Speaker 2: emotions out of it, and say, as producers of the 619 00:31:43,000 --> 00:31:47,360 Speaker 2: game of baseball, what is the best agreement for now 620 00:31:47,520 --> 00:31:49,520 Speaker 2: moving forward? At least you use that as a base 621 00:31:49,680 --> 00:31:52,400 Speaker 2: not as a bible, but a good guide to say, Okay, 622 00:31:52,640 --> 00:31:55,040 Speaker 2: these are what the smartest people in the world. And 623 00:31:55,080 --> 00:31:57,440 Speaker 2: it was a vote four to three, right, it was 624 00:31:57,480 --> 00:32:00,640 Speaker 2: need an odd number like a board, and then go 625 00:32:00,720 --> 00:32:03,880 Speaker 2: from there because right now, sometimes I do feel that 626 00:32:03,960 --> 00:32:08,560 Speaker 2: baseball resembles politics, where the blue and the red having conversations. 627 00:32:08,600 --> 00:32:11,880 Speaker 2: No one's listening to each other, everyone's talking and dug in, 628 00:32:13,080 --> 00:32:15,400 Speaker 2: and sometimes the algorithm takes into the wrong place, not 629 00:32:15,480 --> 00:32:16,320 Speaker 2: to a better place. 630 00:32:16,440 --> 00:32:19,120 Speaker 1: All right, Well, here's hoping for a deal and a 631 00:32:19,160 --> 00:32:28,760 Speaker 1: good one that everybody's happy with. Long of baseball. The 632 00:32:28,800 --> 00:32:31,520 Speaker 1: Deal is hosted by Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly, and 633 00:32:31,600 --> 00:32:34,720 Speaker 1: this episode was made by Alexis HoTT and Stacy Wong. 634 00:32:35,280 --> 00:32:38,160 Speaker 1: Well Connelly is our video editor. Our theme music is 635 00:32:38,200 --> 00:32:42,400 Speaker 1: made by Blake Maples. Our executive producers are Ashley Zingaro 636 00:32:42,600 --> 00:32:46,600 Speaker 1: and Amy Keene. Additional support from Rachel Carnivale, Nick Silva, 637 00:32:46,680 --> 00:32:49,680 Speaker 1: and Elena Los Angeles. Thanks so much for listening to 638 00:32:49,720 --> 00:32:52,200 Speaker 1: the deal. If you have a minute, subscribe, rate and 639 00:32:52,240 --> 00:32:55,480 Speaker 1: review our show. It'll help other listeners find us. I'm 640 00:32:55,560 --> 00:32:57,120 Speaker 1: Jason Kelly. See you next week.