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Triple-A baseball Counties hire negotiating group to discuss issues with Mandalay Baseball Properties

March 4, 2008

Trying to keep team in NEPA

By Bill O'Boyle boboyle@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
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MOOSIC – Commissioners from Luzerne and Lackawanna counties Monday announced the hiring of a negotiating team whose goal will be to assure Triple A baseball and the New York Yankees stay in Northeast Pennsylvania long into the future.

The announcement was made at a press conference in the Yankees’ clubhouse at PNC Field, home of the area’s baseball franchise since 1989.

Rich Neumann, president of baseball development for Mandalay Baseball Properties, operators of the stadium, said some concerns must be addressed to get the assurances desired by the two counties.

Lackawanna County commissioners Mike Washo, Corey O’Brien and A.J. Munchak were joined by Luzerne County Commissioner Chairwoman Maryann Petrilla to announce the hiring of McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP of Atlanta, and Resnick Amsterdam Leshner P.S., of Blue Bell, as professional baseball consultants and negotiators.

Steven J. Labovitz and Trey Wainwright represented McKenna Long & Aldridge, and Steven Resnick represented Resnick Amsterdam and Leshner. The contract for the negotiating team was set at $250,000.

Naming this partnership is part of our commitment to ensure our baseball franchise remains in Lackawanna County forever,” O’Brien said. “To do that, we believe it’s vital to consult with experts in the field who can ensure the county’s interests are protected.”

Washo said the RAL-MLA partnership stood out because of its extensive experience in representing teams and municipalities in all facets of negotiation -- from stadium agreements to acquisition deals.

After the press conference, Petrilla said she didn’t want to worry area baseball fans about the future of the franchise, especially the issue of retaining the Yankees affiliate.

“I don’t think that’s what all this is about,” Petrilla said. “It’s everyone’s goal to keep the Yankees here. This new group will examine all the documents and agreements and tell us what our options are.”

Neumann said he looks forward to working with the new group and extended congratulations to all commissioners for hiring a top-notch firm.

“We look forward to engaging them in conversation in the near future once they complete their due diligence,” Neumann said. “We are sure we will have some productive conversations.”

Neumann said he looks forward to discussing the long-term future of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre franchise in Northeastern Pennsylvania. He said the results of Mandalay’s year-end assessment of the first year of operations for the Yankees affiliate will be part of the discussions, as will the condition and structural integrity of the stadium.

“I think everyone will be happy with the results,” Neumann said. “We certainly are very pleased with the results of the 2007 season, and at the appropriate time, we will be sharing those results with commissioners and the two hired firms.

“It’s always been our intention to be in Northeastern Pennsylvania on a long-term basis. However, there are issues that must be considered before we make that commitment. That’s why we will have these discussions.”

Before the press conference, the county commissioners toured the stadium with Jeremy Ruby, executive vice president of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. Petrilla said several structural deficiencies were pointed out, but she said most of the officials on the tour felt the stadium was in good shape.

The agreements with Mandalay and the Yankees will be reviewed. In November, former Lackawanna County Commission Chairman Robert Cordaro came under fire by state Sen. Robert Mellow, D-Peckville, who said Cordaro had agreed to build a new stadium to keep the Yankees in Lackawanna County. The franchise agreement approved by Cordaro includes a purchase option, which means the franchise could be sold if certain assurances aren’t met. The stadium issue is one of those concerns.

Bill O’Boyle, a Times Leader staff writer, can be reached at 829-7218.

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