Wednesday, April 21, 1999
Allen, Bowden appear secure in jobs
BY JOHN FAY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
John Allen and Jim Bowden, the business and the baseball braintrusts of the Reds the last three years, probably won't be affected by the change in the team's ownership. “Right now we're operating under the status quo,” said Bowden, the general manager for the last seven years.
That means the “managing executive agreement” under which Allen has had day-to-day control of the club remains in effect until Major League Baseball approves the sale.
Marge Schott agreed Tues day to sell control of the team for $67 million to financier Carl Lindner and two other limited partners. Since MLB mandated that Schott sell, approving the sale is a rubber-stamp issue. But it won't come until at least June 9-10 when owners meet in Pittsburgh.
Even after the owners approve the deal, Bowden and Allen probably will keep their jobs.
Lindner was instrumental in getting Bowden to sign a four-year contract extension that keeps Bowden with the Reds through the 2003 season.
Allen, who was involved in talks leading up to the sale, also expects to be retained.
“No one has said anything to me specifically,” he said. “But all indications are I'll have a position.”
Marty Brennaman, the Reds' radio play-by-play man, said that is the key to a smooth transition.
“I think it's very important that John Allen remain in charge of the business side and Jim Bowden in charge of the baseball side,” Brennaman said. “I've seen franchises go
through sales and change the top people. That has a tendency to set a franchise back.”
Both Allen and Bowden were relieved at the news Tuesday. The club has been operating under a cloud of uncertainty since Schott gave up day-to-day control June 12, 1996.
“It's been a handicap,” Bowden said. “I think we all know that, the last few years. As I said, ownership and leadership are the most important elements of any sports franchise. Now to know we have first-class people running this franchise is something that all of Cincinnati and all Reds fans should be very pleased with.”
Bowden interviewed for jobs in Los Angeles and Baltimore last year before re-signing with the Reds. Lindner was the key to him staying.
“I was watching a game in my box,” Bowden said. “He called and said he had been reading that I was interviewing for all these other jobs. He said he thought I should stay in Cincinnati. He became involved.”
Allen was named “interim managing executive” June 12, 1996, when Schott was suspended for inflammatory remarks. The interim tag was removed Aug.9, 1996.
In his tenure, Allen has worked with Bowden to rebuild the minor-league and scouting operations that were neglected under Schott. Allen also cut the payroll, allowing the team to operate in the black last year after losing millions of dollars annually in the mid-'90s.
Allen said the application for ownership transfer would have to say who would run the club.
He also said he will continue to represent the team in talks about the new stadium.
“We're going forward,” Allen said. “Mr. Lindner has been kept informed about the stadium all along.”
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