Former New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez seems more than ready to become a major league owner.
Rodríguez and his fiancé Jennifer Lopez are trying to buy the New York Mets. But so are billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen and the duo of Josh Harris and David Blitzer, owners of the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia 76ers.
But don’t forget, Rodríguez already has a daily job as an analyst on ESPN’s “Sunday Night Baseball”. During a conference call Thursday with reporters, Rodríguez was asked about contentious negotiations between the owners and the MLB Players Association before commissioner Rob Manfred instituted a 60-game season amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Specifically, Rodríguez was faced with a question about “the possibility of a lockout and a long work stoppage in 2022, what if you get involved on the administration side? There are many downside risks. ” Rodríguez’s response clearly shows that he is ready to join the property, suggesting that players must be ready to accept the revenue share that is tied to a salary cap. Here is a transcript of his answer:
“Down protection is always the most important part of investing in anything. What I will tell you is that I was there in 1994 when we left, I think it was on August 12, we were in Oakland. I was a young boy, about 18 years old, I think Griffey hit his fortieth homer that day. But to understand that the influence of the players in 1994 was totally different from the current one.
Today, then, we had a strangled hold on professional sports, baseball was one. Today, the NBA has become an international conglomerate. The NFL is a giant. Back then there was no Netflix. There was no SnapChat. However, there was Disney +, ESPN +, and everything in between to grab your attention.
“So today we have to really work collaboratively with players and owners to say, how do we compete together to become No. 1? The only way it will happen is for them to come to the table and say that the number one goal is to go from $ 10 to $ 15 billion and maybe even divide the economy.
“So that’s the kind of conversation, instead of fighting and fighting each other because there is too much competition right now.”
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Rodríguez’s response did not sit well with MLBPA CEO Tony Clark. On ESPN:
“Alex benefited as much as any of the battles this union fought against repeated attempts by homeowners to get a salary cap. Now that you are trying to become an owner, your perspective seems to be different. And that perspective does not reflect the best interests of the players. “
During his 22-year MLB career, Rodríguez earned an estimated $ 441 million. Late Thursday night, Rodríguez tried to control the damage with the following tweet:
“Yesterday, when I was asked about the expiration of the CBA in 2021, I answered honestly, but I never mentioned the word salary cap.
“My goal as an announcer and more importantly as a sports fan is to grow our game.
“I suggested in the call that both parties, players and owners, work together to make baseball as great as the NFL and the NBA.
“I have been in contact with Tony Clark, the MLBPA executive director, to make sure we are aligned to take our sport to the next level and showcase the best athletes in the world.”
As for his quest to buy the Mets, Rodríguez said he has “limitations” on what he can discuss. And Rodríguez’s boss on ESPN said there will be limitations on what the three-time MVP of the American League will do for the World Leader.
Mark Gross, ESPN senior vice president of production and remote events, told reporters that Rodriguez is not scheduled to work Sunday night July 26 when the Atlanta Braves visit Citi Field to avoid a potential conflict of interest. Gross said Chipper Jones would be in the broadcast booth with game-by-game announcer Matt Vasgersian.
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