I know you in particular will like this press conferences? we talkin press conferences not the actual sale not the purchase of the franchise but press conferences i mean what we talkin about
Leverage in any situation is based primarily on someone wanting something, and you having a means to provide it, but also wanting something in return. The perception of how badly someone wants something is instrumental in how much leverage you have. Despite all the twists and turns this debate has taken, I still cling to the idea that Drayton added unnecessary to the perception that he wanted this SO bad that anyone in the position to help him get it done had leverage over him, should they decide to use it. My argument, and Ric's also I believe, is that Drayton didnt do ALL that he could do to minimize the leverage over him in this. I am not arguing that there was not already, and going to be, a certain level of expectation, a certain level of insight on anyone's part that Drayton would want this, nor am i arguing that it wouldnt have a degree of publicity no matter what Drayton did or didnt do. But here is the crux of it. Either: A) You believe that Drayton's showcasing and public statements helped Selig gain added advantage over pushing his AL agenda into this sale B) You believe Selig would have done it either way, and nothing Drayton or Crane has done would have made any difference. I tend to believe A)
How many times do we have to say Drayton isn't in charge here? MLB is trying to coerce Crane into accepting the AL move....not Drayton. The decision is Crane's.
How many times do I have to say that some of Drayton's actions gave Selig some of the leverage he is using against Crane?
Honestly, that's nonsensical. It gives zero leverage for the consumation of this deal. Crane's crap is out there in spades. He's being called a bigot among other things. But the shame of having a press conference months before the league says no is what will put it over the top?? Seriously, this is ridiculous. It's a staring contest...who blinks first: 1. Will Crane agree to jump on buying team and move to AL? 2. Or will Selig finally back down under pressure from other owners to get a mother falcon $687 million deal completed for the Houston Astros? 3. Will time expire on the deal, allowing Crane out gracefully (if it's even possible for him to exit gracefully at this point)? The press conference that happened months ago is entirely antecdotal at this time...and neither number 1 nor number 2, above, has anything to do with Drayton McLane except tangentially. He happens to be the guy who'd get the cash...but all the owners would benefit from this in terms of valuation of their own franchises. Crane already has an assload of egg on his face being called bigot and other choice terms. The press conference is the very least of his concerns in this decision. At this point, my guess is IF there are discussions even taking place about all this, McLane isn't even involved. He may call and get updates, but the discussions are between Crane and Selig (MLB). Leverage with respect to McLane is completely misplaced.
All I want to see come out of this is: - The Astros remain in the NL - Selig gets a huge public "wedgie" for trying to strongarm an autonomous franchise with BS stipulations outside the already-signed contract - The Astros ultimately get a new owner who's a bit younger and ready to go for it That would be just lovely, indeed.
It's the owners, not Selig, that approve or deny -- that simple. Selig facilitates the conversation and is the presiding executive over their corporate decisions, as well as the decisions agreed to in the CBA. Here's another "THAT SIMPLE": MLB needs to can that smug, self-important buffoon, statim. THAT SIMPLE.
You get the same question as Ric: is Crane going to change his decision on whether to make a $700 million purchase based on the idea that he might have to hold a press conference saying he's withdrawing due to changed circumstances? If so, in what way will his decision change (and why)? If not, what leverage has Selig gained?
I actually agree with all of this ^^^^ I think your confusing things, as you seem to think im saying Drayton's actions are the entire reason for Selig's leverage over Crane, where in fact, I am merely saying they were/are contributing reasons. Your entirely in your right to disagree with this, but I dont think it is nonsensical .
No. But the perception of "less" leverage might have/will make Selig blink before Crane does. And the more leverage Selig thinks he has, the longer it may take him to blink.
If Crane's not going to change his behavior in any way, then Selig has no additional leverage. And Selig knows that. These are not stupid people making minor decisions.
I didnt say that or agree to that. What I agreed to was that he wouldnt change based on quote: based on the idea that he might have to hold a press conference saying he's withdrawing due to changed circumstances? Crane could still blink first. And whether that happens or not could be for reasons other than him not looking forward to a press conference. I agree with Madmax in that It's a staring contest...who blinks first: And how long Selig holds out is not only based on Crane himself, but how long Crane can keep his financial contingent together. The longer this goes on, the more chance it will fall apart on Crane's end. So as I see it, Selig is playing this game: 1) If he keeps this in limbo long enough. Crane will agree to his demands. 2) If he keeps this in limbo long enough, Crane and/or his contingent will fall apart or walk away, causing him to withdraw. If Selig had been ok with Crane and no AL move, this would have at least went to a vote by now. So it seems to me, Selig wants either 1 or 2. Do we even know which of these he wants? Do we know what the owners want? (keeping in mind approving Crane may turn into the Dodgers all over again on a few years). Do we?
7 more posts and we have another page of this nonsense argument! Selig sucks! Drayton's soft! Crane's a facist pig! #stirringthepot
Crane's investors are bound until November 30...when the deal expires. That isn't changing. The deal happens or it doesn't happen at all by Nov. 30. Months old press conferences are irrelevant.
Sure - but then the idea that he held a press conference which somehow gave Selig more leverage is wrong. If the press conference doesn't change anyone's behavior, then it didn't give anyone extra leverage. This battle would have happened regardless.
I'm not sure I totally agree with Selig getting more leverage due to Drayton's actions. Of course they could have contributed to Selig's perception but I would think Selig's perception of his leverage is solely based on Crane's suspected disreputable business practices and his ingenuous handling of the Ranger's sale and backing out of his initial purchase of the Astros. Those I feel make Selig feel he can play this game more than anything Drayton has probably done or "not done" While this is currently a staring game, once there was no announcement by mid September, it was obvious nothing would be said on this matter until after the World Series. They have until November anyways, and Selig would never risk having such an announcement, which could have negative press for either "allowing a suspected crook own a franchise", "strong handing a potential owner", or "potentially changing the structure of the MLB with 15 teams in each league, etc". We basically just have to wait until the playoffs are over before we will hear anything one way or the other.
