That Scrooge in Balmore is still trying to screw with our team

[spjunkies]

Televising the Nats

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A15547-2005Mar7.html

Tuesday, March 8, 2005; Page A14


WASHINGTON'S first Opening Day in 34 years is less than a month away, and still the city's new baseball team has no deal for television broadcasts of its games. The main obstacle, as throughout much of the struggle to bring the former Montreal Expos to town, is the stubborn resistance of Peter G. Angelos, majority owner of the Baltimore Orioles. Mr. Angelos wants compensation for losses he believes his club will suffer from the presence of competition in Washington, and he seems to think that he can get much of what he wants from a favorable division of the region's baseball TV revenue.

The situation is not simple, and the stakes are high. Washington's team, the Nationals, is owned by Major League Baseball, which has a considerable interest in getting the best price it can from the people who will be bidding on the franchise when it goes on sale. Any team that has had its prospective TV money greatly reduced by an uneven revenue-sharing arrangement such as the one Mr. Angelos appears to be seeking -- and we are talking about sums that would go a long way toward financing a major league payroll -- would be worth a lot less at sale. One possible scenario has Mr. Angelos and the Orioles getting the lion's share of money from a joint regional network that would televise both teams -- regardless of whether the more populous Washington area and Nationals fans were the primary source of that money. Another possibility would be for the Orioles and Nationals to make their own separate deals with broadcasters. The complication here is that Mr. Angelos appears to have a far more expansive view than do his baseball peers of how large a viewing area should be reserved for the Orioles, and thus kept off-limits to the Nationals.

Baseball needs to get this business settled quickly, and in doing so keep in mind that imposing a bad TV deal on the new team on the block would also be setting a bad and very damaging precedent for the league. Any time a future franchise wanted to move, the owner or owners facing new competition in their region would feel it was their right to demand a lopsided division of the "regional" TV revenue. And of course any new or transferred team would be hobbled by this sort of long-term restriction on its income right when it was under the most financial pressure.

If Mr. Angelos is entitled to compensation, it needs to come in some other way, perhaps as a one-time payment from all of baseball. Baseball's leaders should not be cowed by Mr. Angelos's legendary litigiousness. They are supposed to act in the best interests of the game, which in this case would be served by giving people throughout the huge and prosperous Baltimore-Washington region a chance to watch either or both of their teams on television. It could just be that everybody will win.

[RedskinsNation]

And people wonder why we (Nationals) fans despise the Orioles as a team and an organization...

Now i cant help but to root against the O's....and root strongly against them.

Your gonna keep baseball off my tv, that features my hometown team...when i live in DC....cut the jokes.

Angelos has really gotten out of hand.

[skinzfan4life]

I agree, i respect the oriole way and the O's, but its hard to root for a team with an owner like that. Instead of running his team he spens all of his time trying to screw other teams....mainly the Nats....out of everything.

[TheDoyler23]

Orioles say Nationals welcome to share TV pact
Team denies attempting to block televised games of NL team

The Associated Press

Originally published March 13, 2005, 3:52 PM EST

The Baltimore Orioles are working on a deal that would provide television coverage for the Washington Nationals, a point they emphatically stressed Sunday in a full-page advertisement in the Washington Post.

The Orioles apparently took out the ad in response to an editorial in The Post that implied the team was seeking to block the relocated Montreal Expos from having games televised in the Baltimore-Washington market.

Orioles owner Peter Angelos fought against the move of the Expos to Washington, insisting that it would have a "profound adverse impact" on the Baltimore team, a point stressed in the ad on page 5 of The Post sports section.

Angelos has been negotiating for months with Major League Baseball on a compensation package that would address TV coverage of the teams. No settlement has been reached, but the ad indicated that the Orioles are working behind the scenes with the Nationals to make the team part of the Orioles' Television Network.

"Most recently, a Post editorial incorrectly claimed the Orioles intend to prevent baseball fans from seeing the Nationals on television," the ad read. "Nothing could be further from the truth."

Farther down the page, the ad reads, "The Orioles are prepared to offer a fair and appropriate fee to the Nationals in the many millions of dollars annually for the telecast of their games. Even now we are making plans to present the Nationals' games in the Washington area and ultimately present all Orioles' and Nationals' games throughout the entire territory."

The Washington Post did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

The lack of an agreement between baseball and the Orioles has kept the Nationals from broadcasting their own games during spring training. With Opening Day just three weeks away, Nationals president Tony Tavares is ready to move quickly to hire broadcast talent and complete other logistics once baseball an agreement is reached.

Angelos could not be reached for comment. Orioles executive vice president for baseball operations Jim Beattie said in Florida, "I don't have anything to say about it."

Orioles spokesman Bill Stetka said, "The ad speaks for itself. It should be pretty self-explanatory."

Nationals spokesman John Dever said the team had no comment.

According to the ad, television rights are a key element to the financial success of the Orioles, and were an important element in determining the purchase price of the team.

"When the Orioles were purchased by the current ownership group in 1993," the ad states, "these rights were a material element of the franchise value as reflected in the then-record purchase price of $173 million.

--------------------------------------------------------------

When Angelos bought the team, he bought the broadcast rights to play the games in Baltimore, Washington as well as other areas. This is why the TV deal is a major sticking point. If Nats games are broadcast in Baltimore as well, then BOTH teams can benifit.

[skinzfan4life]

The TV deal is a sticking point because Angelos will do anything in his power to destroy the nats. He will charge a huge fee so that the DC area can get Nats coverage skewed through the eyes of the O's broadcast network. Thats BS...His terriorty is Bmore and the sounding area, the Nats are DC and thier surrounding area.

If baseball had any balls they would tell Angelos to shove it...hes a cry baby. Less time crying about the Nats more time mnaking your team succesful.

[TheDoyler23]

1. Angelos already has non-exclusive broadcast rights to the DC area. When he bought the team at a record high price, the ability to broadcast in Baltimore, Washington as well as other places was part of the contract.

2. Angelos already has what can be considered a broadcast network.

3. MLB wants the O's and Nat's to have one shared network, meaning that MLB wants to buy into Angelos' pie.

4. Angelos is WILLING to cut the Nat's in and baseball wants this as well becuase the deal would be MUTUALLY benificial.

5. Angelos wants a bigger stake in the profits of the network, which he should get sine it's HIS network.

6. Nats fans want Angelos to shove it. However, the team would make LESS money doing it their own way that taking less than a 50% share in the O's tv network. If the Nat's join, their games can be broadcast in places that they otherwise wouldn't be able to like Baltimore and Northern/Western Maryland. The O's will always be broadcast in DC, but the Nat's have no guarentees that they would be broaddcast in other places besides the DC Metro area.

[TheDoyler23]

7. part 6 is mostly MLB's argument. Keep in mind that MLB wants this deal to happen because a larger broadcast area means more money for them when they sell the team. They want to make as much money as possible.

[skinzfan4life]

I understand some of that and its very logical...however saying it will be mutually beneficial must be said with a grain of salt. Mutually beneficial would be a 50/50 revenue split from the combined..i doubt that will be the case....and if its the O's network and they are going to charge a fee and then take 65% of the revenues that seems to me like Angelos is trying to pull the wool over the Nats eyes.

Its seems that Angelos wants to have his cake and eat it too. He wants the TV network and most of its profits, then he wants a gaurenteed amout of money from MLB (which is the biggest amount of BS ever).

Again, if angelos put a consistently good team on the field he would not have to worry about losing money. I understand Angelos' argument about someone moving into his area but, if you own a resturant and i move into your area, no one has to give you any garuntee about money. So why should baseball do it...they shouldnt.

The problem is that this argument O's vs Nats will go on for a long while and no side will ever be "right." People in Bmore will see Angelos' side and says its ok, people here will say the opposite, so it will be a never ending cycle.

[skinzfan4life]

Originally posted by TheDoyler23
7. part 6 is mostly MLB's argument. Keep in mind that MLB wants this deal to happen because a larger broadcast area means more money for them when they sell the team. They want to make as much money as possible.

It seems they also want this done to appease Angelos from taking legal action, I would think that has something to do with it.

[chiefhogskin48]

BDBuddy,
No offense, but you're beginning to sound like Angelos' official apologist. I don't really care much about the O's- they're a storied organization that shouldn't be worried about meddling in the business of the Washington DC area. In fact, his attempt to do so is an insult.

[BigJasMD]

Originally posted by TheDoyler23
1. Angelos already has non-exclusive broadcast rights to the DC area. When he bought the team at a record high price, the ability to broadcast in Baltimore, Washington as well as other places was part of the contract.

2. Angelos already has what can be considered a broadcast network.

3. MLB wants the O's and Nat's to have one shared network, meaning that MLB wants to buy into Angelos' pie.

4. Angelos is WILLING to cut the Nat's in and baseball wants this as well becuase the deal would be MUTUALLY benificial.

5. Angelos wants a bigger stake in the profits of the network, which he should get sine it's HIS network.

6. Nats fans want Angelos to shove it. However, the team would make LESS money doing it their own way that taking less than a 50% share in the O's tv network. If the Nat's join, their games can be broadcast in places that they otherwise wouldn't be able to like Baltimore and Northern/Western Maryland. The O's will always be broadcast in DC, but the Nat's have no guarentees that they would be broaddcast in other places besides the DC Metro area.

I agree with this 100%, everyone keeps bashing Angelos be he is just taking care of his own. He bought the rights to broadcast in MD/DC/VA, also the state of MD has a big stake in this since they built camden yards.

[TheDoyler23]

Yes, Angelos wants a greater than 50% share in the network because it's his network. You can make the argument that the Orioles still have planty of fans in Va, PG, MoCo and points south of the district, and that there aren't really Nat's fans in Baltimore. So he deserves more money based on that alone, though the DC market is greater than that of Baltimore, but there will always be a certain amont of retained fans from the DC area.

I really liked your last coment, Skins fan about MLB doing this to appease Angelos, and I think that the be all end all reason for MLB's involvment with Angelos (besides the min guarentees) is so that MLB can make as much money as posible from the sale and move of the Expos.

[skinzfan4life]

Originally posted by BigJasMD


I agree with this 100%, everyone keeps bashing Angelos be he is just taking care of his own. He bought the rights to broadcast in MD/DC/VA, also the state of MD has a big stake in this since they built camden yards.


He is taking care of nothing but his own pocket. If he took care of his team he would have done something this offseason to upgrade the teams pitching and so forth, but he is overly consumed with the Nats and making sure that they dont touch his wallet and he is doing that at all costs.

If you want to protect your product...make your product better.

[skinzfan4life]

Originally posted by TheDoyler23
Yes, Angelos wants a greater than 50% share in the network because it's his network. You can make the argument that the Orioles still have planty of fans in Va, PG, MoCo and points south of the district, and that there aren't really Nat's fans in Baltimore. So he deserves more money based on that alone, though the DC market is greater than that of Baltimore, but there will always be a certain amont of retained fans from the DC area.

I really liked your last coment, Skins fan about MLB doing this to appease Angelos, and I think that the be all end all reason for MLB's involvment with Angelos (besides the min guarentees) is so that MLB can make as much money as posible from the sale and move of the Expos.

I do understand that he wants more then 50%, and thinking about it you are right that does make sense....but if its going to be 65% angelos 35% DC, thats a little skewed, IMO.

Also, i do agree with you, MLB is just out to make as much money as possible, i believe that is why they are willing ao appease angelos. If there is no legal action and everything is tidy with the Nats vs O's thing then MLB can sell for more money. So i do think that has something to do with it.

[TheDoyler23]

Originally posted by chiefhogskin48
BDBuddy,
No offense, but you're beginning to sound like Angelos' official apologist. I don't really care much about the O's- they're a storied organization that shouldn't be worried about meddling in the business of the Washington DC area. In fact, his attempt to do so is an insult.

The Orioles will always be in buisness with the Washington area. PPl in the Dc area will still be O's fans and the games will always be broadcast in DC. Accept it.

As for being Angelos apolagist. As far as this board is concerned, yes, I am. Although I don't really LIKE the man and I certainly don't like some of the decisions thet he has made, I'm a die hard Orioles fan and will go down fighting for their organization, which is something I do in my support of the Redskins as well.

And I wouldn't mind being a Nats fan as well. Although some people seem to make that an impossibility with their constant Angelos/Orioles hating rhetoric.

In a year or two, the organizations won't have any real conflicts, unless the people involved go out of their way to antagonize. There is no rivalry.

[skinzfan4life]

Originally posted by TheDoyler23



And I wouldn't mind being a Nats fan as well. Although some people seem to make that an impossibility with their constant Angelos/Orioles hating rhetoric.

This is a good point....for me i respect the O's franchise and the orioles way...i dispise Angelos, but i do hope the O's are succesful. If both teams played i would root for the nats any day...



In a year or two, the organizations won't have any real conflicts, unless the people involved go out of their way to antagonize. There is no rivalry. [/QUOTE]

You make a good point, besides being located 30 minutes fro each other there isnt really a rivalry, its kinda the same with the Skins and Ravens, theres braggin rights but thats about it. And once everything with the TV rights and deal with MLB and angelos and the Nats sale are finished, both teams will co-exisist without too many problems.

[jbooma]

If Anglelos wanted to be fair then just divide the tv money in half instead of charging Washington a fee.

That article in the post screamed of someone losing all leverage they currently have.

I hope Angelos gives the team to a real owner soon and gets out of MLB for good. He has destoyed my favorite team.

[TheDoyler23]

Originally posted by jbooma
If Anglelos wanted to be fair then just divide the tv money in half instead of charging Washington a fee.

That article in the post screamed of someone losing all leverage they currently have.

It's Angelos' network already, why should he evenly share with an orgainzation that would be adding to HIS network.

If you think that his PR ad in the Post had anything to do with "losing leverage" then you clearely misreading the situation and the economics involved.

[manleyistheman]

Originally posted by TheDoyler23


And I wouldn't mind being a Nats fan as well. Although some people seem to make that an impossibility with their constant Angelos/Orioles hating rhetoric.

In a year or two, the organizations won't have any real conflicts, unless the people involved go out of their way to antagonize. There is no rivalry.

Since you say that Angelos/Orioles hating rhetoric makes it impossible to cheer for the Nats, then you can understand how for some of us it is impossible to cheer for the Orioles being that Angelos spewed out rhetoric about us, Washington baseball fans, saying that we were not REAL fans.

As far as rivalry, you are so wrong, hun. As long as Angelos is there, there is no team in baseball that I will boo more loudly. Wether that changes once he's gone remains to be seen.

[jbooma]

Originally posted by TheDoyler23


It's Angelos' network already, why should he evenly share with an orgainzation that would be adding to HIS network.

If you think that his PR ad in the Post had anything to do with "losing leverage" then you clearely misreading the situation and the economics involved.

Angelos doesn't own Comcast :laugh: :laugh:

[TheDoyler23]

Originally posted by jbooma


Angelos doesn't own Comcast :laugh: :laugh:

He owns the broadcast territory, which includes Bmore, DC all of Maryland and a good chunk of Va. The Nats would be able to share that territory with a partnership. W/o it, they would just have the DC area.

[spjunkies]

Originally posted by TheDoyler23


He owns the broadcast territory, which includes Bmore, DC all of Maryland and a good chunk of Va. The Nats would be able to share that territory with a partnership. W/o it, they would just have the DC area.

The DC area is a also a huge chunk of VA and MD so IO don't see how they can't get their own network.

And it looks like the O's won't be on in the DC metro area (I don't count CSN)

From DCRTV

Orioles Unlikely To Land DC TV Outlet - 3/14 - Jim Williams, sports media columnist for the DC Examiner, tells DCRTV that the Orioles may not land a DC broadcast TV outlet for the Baltimore team's 60-game package. In past seasons, the O's have aired on Channel 20/WDCA, Channel 50/WBDC, or Channel 66/WPXW. But, so far, all three outlets are waiting to see what will happen regarding a carriage deal for the Washington Nationals. That, so far, is stalled. Williams adds that if either 20 or 50 lands the Nats, the other station probably wouldn't carry the O's, desiring a "non-baseball" programming alternative.....