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<October 2, 2006> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—October 2, 2006— In response to concerns by Guam’s baseball fans over the recent blackout of Major League Baseball games on Guam, Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo requested the assistance of Mr. George Bodenheimer, President of ESPN and ABC Sports, and Mr. Bud Selig, Commissioner of Major League Baseball (MLB) in restoring the broadcast of baseball games carried by Marianas Cable Vision, Inc. (MCV). The baseball blackouts stem from a contract issue regarding the jurisdictions that may carry the broadcasts. Congresswoman Bordallo learned of this issue recently from Mr. Craig Thompson, the President of Marianas Cable Vision and in support of MCV’s concerns, she wrote to Mr. Bodenheimer and Mr. Selig on Friday, September 29. Local viewers who attempted to watch recent MLB games featuring the Toronto Blue Jays, featuring Guam’s own third baseman John Hattig, Jr., were unable to tune in after discovering that MCV could no longer broadcast the games. “Many baseball fans on Guam were disappointed to find that they could not watch a recent Toronto Blue Jays game in which John Hattig, Jr. played third base,” Bordallo said. “For many years, MCV had broadcast rights and sports fans on Guam have enjoyed the games on ESPN and ESPN2, and it is unfortunate that the contract issue surfaced just as John Hattig achieved his success. I have urged the parties to take another look at this contractual issue and I hope it could be resolved quickly.” In her letter, Congresswoman Bordallo made mention of Hattig, Jr., who is the first player from Micronesia to rise to the major league level, noting that although the Blue Jays may not advance to the playoffs, John Hattig’s major league success has inspired baseball players and fans on Guam. # # # Contact: Joseph E. Duenas in 671-477-4272/4. joseph.duenas@mail.house.gov or joy.james@mail.house.gov . |
