Response from Drew Mahalic to Mayor Potter's Statements on Major League Baseball

Dated 1/10/06

Yesterday was without question a landmark day in Portland's quest to land a Major League Baseball franchise. We had a very productive set of introductory meetings with the Governor, Mayor, and many others who want to see Major League Baseball in Portland become a reality. Going into the day, we candidly did not know just how serious the Marlins were about relocation. After having the opportunity to meet with them, I have come away with the very strong impression that not only is their interest in relocation absolutely genuine, but that the opportunity presented for Portland is in fact, very real.

Recognizing the Mayor's concern about the public's role in the financing of a ballpark, we chose to focus first on building a relationship between the Mayor and the Marlins at yesterday's meeting. We felt the discussion that took place at the meeting served as a solid first step in that process. I want to thank Mayor Potter for taking the time to meet, and I want to make clear that I have a great deal of personal and professional respect for him. In fact, as someone with children in Portland Public Schools, and as the leader of an organization that has twice saved PIL spring sports seasons, I share his position that education is an absolute priority for the City of Portland.

Yesterday served as a culmination of many years of hard work and dedication for a countless number of Oregonians who have spent considerable time, passion and energy on the quest to position Portland as a home for Major League Baseball. We were disappointed not to have the opportunity, prior to the Marlins visit, to present to the Mayor the reasons behind our passion for this quest. Hence, we were unable to provide him with a full explanation of how baseball in Portland can happen in a way that makes sense for our City.

While yesterday's visit was a total success in almost all aspects, the one unfortunate result is a headline distributed across the country that reads: "Mayor: Most Portlanders don't care about getting a team." While the Mayor spoke positively in general about the visit, when a reporter asked if he felt Portlanders couldn't care less about baseball, he stated that it is his "very strong sense." Again, we are disappointed not to have had the opportunity to present him with substantial evidence that convincingly demonstrates Portland's profound interest in Major League Baseball, including the following:

• A poll conducted for the Portland Tribune and KOIN TV determined that 67 percent of Portland-area voters endorse the effort to bring Major League Baseball to Portland.
• A poll conducted by Grove Insight in March 2003 showed 63 percent of Multnomah County residents say it is likely they would attend at least one Major League Baseball game in Portland.
• More than 600 Oregon businesses and organizations, of all types and sizes, have endorsed the campaign to bring baseball to Portland.
• Portland's TV ratings for the World Series have consistently demonstrated a tremendous interest in baseball:
  • Portland ranked eighth in the nation with a 14.8 rating for the 2005 World Series. Excluding markets in Texas and Illinois, Portland had the 4th best rating in the country.
  • For the 2003 World Series between the New York Yankees and Florida Marlins, Portland generated a 14.7 average TV rating - better than all but five markets outside of Florida and the New York area.
  • The Portland market recorded the seventh- best TV rating in the nation (15.8) for the 2002 World Series between the Anaheim Angels and San Francisco Giants - the third-best mark excluding those cities with a regional interest.

While the evidence clearly points to a significant level of support for baseball in Portland, we recognize that the Mayor is fully entitled to his opinion. However, if the people of Portland do not share that opinion, we hope they will communicate to the Mayor that they do in fact care about this remarkable opportunity - in a polite and positive manner. We encourage people to do so at oregonstadiumcampaign.com.

We know that we must do a better job of communicating to the Mayor that the City can play an appropriate, yet critical role in the financing of a ballpark - one that meets his stated concerns regarding the protection of Portland taxpayers. I truly, and strongly believe that if the Marlins situation develops as we envision, and the Mayor provides us with the opportunity to sit down and work through these issues in earnest, the end result can be an incredible accomplishment for him, for the City of Portland and for the entire state of Oregon. We sincerely hope that we are afforded that chance.

Drew Mahalic
CEO
Oregon Sports Authority

NOTE:: Please direct polite, concise emails to Mayor Potter at the following email address if you disagree with his statement. Pass this along to others, and make sure to emphasize the "polite" aspect of communication.

Mayor Potter's email address: mayorpotter@ci.portland.or.us