Sunday, June 14, 1998

BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Major League Baseball, rapidly growing concerned about Marge Schott's role with the Cincinnati Reds, is shoring up its support of John Allen's bid to sign a stadium deal with Hamilton County.

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A baseball source has told The Enquirer despite Schott's comments on the stadium debate made public by Broadway Commons supporter Jim Tarbell Friday, she signed away all rights to make such a deal when the Reds' president and CEO agreed to be suspended two years ago and be replaced by Allen as the club's managing executive.

"Baseball feels it is on solid legal ground," the source said. "John Allen has the authority to make this deal even if he doesn't have her signature. John has been working with consultants highly respected throughout baseball, and if he feels like it's a good deal, then it's a legal deal."

The source said Schott's comments will be investigated. Tarbell said Schott gave permission to make their conversation public, in which she said she would consider Broadway Commons if she could get a similar deal that's being offered at the Wedge site between Cinergy Field and The Crown.

That may have violated the terms of her June 12, 1996 suspension She's not allowed to do interviews or make public comments unless she gets permission from the National League and a Reds' official is present.

It could cost Schott $10,000 to tell people she still wants a ballpark just west of the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, a site Allen said a year ago was off the table.

The last time Schott commented publicly on the stadium was in November, when she was fined $10,000 by the NL for saying she favored a renovated Cinergy Field instead of a new park.

Her most recent comments came with Allen days -- perhaps hours -- from signing a memorandum of understanding with the county for a ballpark at the Wedge. With Schott's suspension possibly being extended past this season's World Series, the source said Allen would have the same right to sign a stadium lease.

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