Senate Attempts to Negotiate with Major League Baseball

The March 31st deadline for negotiations between Major League Basebeall and cable and DISH providers is closing in. If something doesn't change in the next few days, DirecTV customers will be the only viewers with access to games that take place outside the subscriber's local area. DISH and cable subscribers will be forced to watch their local team, should they be lucky enough to have one, or the occasional games that are broadcast over ESPN or other cable networks.

In an effort to prevent this exclusive deal from being finalized, Democratic Senator John Kerry from Massachusetts convened the hearing of the Commerce Committe which initiated talks with Major League Baseball's President Bob DuPuy. By the end of business on Tuesday, the Senate was not able to achieve the desired outcome. This means that approximately 230,000 fans will be unable to subscribe to the Extra Innings package which provides up to 60 games per week during the regular baseball season which officially starts on Sunday, April 1. Republican Senator Arlen Specter from Pennsylvania warned President DuPuy, "When the fans react, Congress may react. You may be well advised to act before we do." But DuPuy doesn't look scared. He is said to be excited about the upcoming Baseball Channel, which will be launched in 2009 by DirecTV.

At one point there was discussion of allowing a pay package provider named IN Demand (owned by Comcast, Time Warner and Cox cable companies), to allow Extra Innings to be on cable for two years--until the Baseball Channel launch. DuPuy expressed little interest in that offer, although Senator Kerry favored it. "We believe that DirecTV has the right to begin to help us build the channel," DuPuy said in response.

Baseball fans are being treated unfairly due to the fact that the sport enjoys an anti-trust exemption, a benefit unavailable to no other major league sport. In other words, Major League Baseball is not operating as a business. If it did was not given this exemption, it would not be allowed to make this exclusive deal which in essence gives DirecTV a monopoly over the distribution of a product -- namely the MLB Extra Innings package.

Fortunately for fans of the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Mets, ESPN2 will be broadcasting the opening game between these teams on Sunday night, but for serious baseball fans, the Sunday Night Game of the Week will hardly dampen the blow of being cut out of viewing their favorite team throughout the rest of the week.

If you have not already done so, you may have the ability to make the difference. It will require three phone calls. First, call Major League Baseball at 212-931-7800 and ask for Mr. DuPuy's office. Express your concern and outrage as his lack of interest in the people that make baseball a successful business -- the fans! After calling President DuPuy's office, call your provider and implore them to fight harder to get access to the package.

The last call each and every fan should make is to his United States Senator's office. You can easily find out who that person is by using a search engine and entering "United States Senator" [your state]. This will bring up the name and contact numbers for the Senators representing your state. Send an email, but to be sure that your opinion gets to the Senator before the deadline, it is important to also call the Senator's office and speak to a representative.

There is no guarantee that doing these things will change the outcome and give the baseball fans across America the ability to view games everyday throughout the season, but it may be the last hope. And the contract with DirecTV is said to be for seven years! So, make the calls. PLEASE!