MLB should be questioning itself on this one...and shouldn't the government be more concerned with other issues (poverty, education, 'insert your favorite more important thing the government can do here')?
Thorn is right though, as much as I hate the MLB's choice with the Extra Innings, it's their product and they can partner up and sell it through whichever outlets they deem fit without government intervention.
Posted by dvr9484 at 2/1/2007 8:14:00 AM |
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Because not everyone can get DirecTV and the tax payers have footed the bill for almost all of the new stadiums. Same reason Football should not be limited to just DirecTV. The NFL's agreement is already being looked into by congress to see whether it violates their Anti-trust status, I believe that we will see the NFL package available on Cable in the next two years.
Posted by hckyfn at 2/1/2007 8:32:00 AM |
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Where is it written that anyone has a right to television access? You can't get DirecTV and you want to watch baseball? Take it up with MLB. As far as I know, the federal government hasn't footed the bill for any stadium, and even if it had that wouldn't give it a compelling interest to regulate a league's television contracts.
Posted by Jason Thornbury at 2/1/2007 9:08:00 AM |
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While this may be good deal, this is a really dumb move by MLB... they had to know that the NFL has already come under tons of fire for setting up a monopolistic deal with DirecTV.
And they also have to know that there are several members of Congress who like to make it look as if they are sticking up for the little guy by cleaning up baseball.
Posted by czegers at 2/1/2007 9:12:00 AM |
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It's a dumb move by MLB because it's self-defeating. The league would make more money over the long haul by exposing the game to as many eyeballs as possible.
Posted by Jason Thornbury at 2/1/2007 9:19:00 AM |
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Although I agree that the Federal government should not tell a business how to conduct itself it is also true that MLB enjoys exemptions from antitrust laws. Therefore I feel that Congress does have a right to speak up for the average fan.
Posted by van lingle mungo at 2/1/2007 12:34:00 PM |
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The thing is, "the average fan" isn't your average MLB Extra Innings subscriber - it's the most devout fan, fantasy player, gambler, etc... that subscribes. In other words, the base. MLB isn't going to lose much off this decision, I'd bet. Don't forget that there will be a spike in local radio and tv ratings, at least in those markets that have such options.
It's a crappy thing to do to fans, but it won't hurt them, nor should it be actionable from congress-critters.
Posted by Erickson at 2/2/2007 11:46:00 PM |
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