Commissioner Bud Selig conceded today that some major-league teams lost money in 2009, but declined to get into specifics.
"We had some clubs that lost money, there's no question about that," Selig said after addressing Major League owners at their meeting at the Chicago O'Hare Hilton. "Sure, we had some clubs that had some very difficult years."
Milwaukee owner Mark Attanasio told USA Today that "a handful of teams lost money last year for the first time," and alluded to some fiscal restraint from owners this winter.
"The dynamic is such that if it is a thin talent tool, will GMs say: 'Hey, I'll spend $8 million for a $5 million player because there's nobody else to sign'?'" Attanasio told USA Today. "I don't think that will happen. I know it won't for us."
Selig voiced concern over the economy's effect on baseball, but said it was a problem every industry is facing. Baseball suffered an attendance drop of 6.58 percent in 2009, its steepest since 1952, with 22 teams seeing decreases in average attendance.
"I'll give you the same answer I gave the clubs today," Selig said. "We hear what you all hear and read everyday in the papers. I couldn't sleep last night... and I watched the Business Channel. This is really a tough time.
"There's a lot of heartache visiting on a lot of people, forgetting baseball. Put baseball aside. I said, and I really believe this, given the economy, the fact that we drew over 73 1/2 million people is a testament to the sport's popularity and everything that's been done is remarkable. A year ago, I had no idea what we were heading into. There was a lot of concern. I'm grateful we did what we did. Actually, the grand old game did all right."
Selig declined to react to speculation that many players may be concerned about a general lack of competition for the majority of free agents in the upcoming marketplace. Some believe the market will be flooded by arbitration-eligible players non-tendered by their clubs next month, driving prices down.
"Whatever concerns they'll have, they have," Selig said. "There's nothing I can do about it."
Selig said the issue of instant replay improvements, a hot topic after a slew of bungled calls during the 2009 postseason, "never came up" at the meeting.
As for concerns about a circus atmosphere in ballparks next summer when St. Louis comes to town, due to the surprising hiring of Mark McGwire as hitting coach, Selig said he's spoken to Cardinals owner Bill DeWitt and manager Tony LaRussa about the matter.
"Let's see how it all plays out," he said.
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