I am definitely not the first person to cover the story on sports agent, Scott Boras, lobbying the MLB to change the World Series format to a best of 9 series with the first 2 games played at a neutral site. I personally have held off on discussing the matter, because while it does include a sports agent (Boras), I did not quite believe that the story fit on this site. It has become such a big issue; however, that it may be time to touch on it for a moment.
Will a World Series Weekend (dubbed WSW) really create a “marketing bonanza that would rival the Super Bowl?” [Back to a best-of-nine World Series?]. I have my doubts. But instead, will Boras’ new publicity outside of the sports agent spectrum, result in positive results for Scott Boras Corp? Most likely.
Sports agents find themselves in the paper usually for 1 of 3 things. They have either done something illegal or shady (stealing clients), they holdout their clients or get them big time money (which the public often frowns upon), or they are talking for their clients, often giving little to nothing of a response when asked questions. Looking at the standard relationship between agents and the media, it seems like Scott Boras is a genius for breaking the mold and not hurting his image (actually gaining popularity among demographics that have never heard of him).
In all honesty, why does Scott Boras care so much about this issue? Does he really care about Bud Selig getting MLB more corporate endorsements centered on the World Series? Does he care about making money for the city who wins the right to host the first 2 games in the new format? Once again, I have my doubts.
Rick Karcher of Sports Law Blog believes that Boras has crossed the line into an area that he does not belong:
“By sending this letter to Selig and, more specifically, requesting to meet with Selig to discuss his proposal, Boras has crossed the line and is going way beyond the authority delegated to him by the union — which is limited to representing players in player contract negotiations. He’s even using the term “we” when discussing this issue, as if to suggest that he speaks on behalf of all of the players collectively.” [Is Boras Getting Too Big for His….Wallet?]
I agree that he has not been given authority to speak on behalf of all unionized MLB players; however, I do not think that he has done so by using the word “we”. I think that he is playing the situation brilliantly, even though I do not agree that the World Series format should be changed in the manner that Boras has proposed. I agree with Karcher when he says that IF Selig meets with Boras, it will truly show how much power Boras yields in the sport. Such a meeting could be drastic for competing sports agents, and would continue to boost Scott Boras Corp as an representative entity in baseball. What are your feelings on the issue?
-Darren Heitner
4 replies on “Scott Boras’ Plan To Take Over The World (Series)”
It’s unbelievable how some people just love to get their names in the paper. Scott Boras is a fine agent, but thats it. What business does he have writing to Bud Selig telling him how great it would be to have a best of nine series. The idea is interesting, but leave that up to the marketing department.
I think Boras’ success has finally gone to his head and he’s completely lost it. Like Brooks said, who does he think he is? I’d love to see GM’s refuse to deal with him or players finally stand up to him.
I think it’s a brilliant idea that should be commended. Yeah, he’s kind of stepping over his bounds. But sometimes that is what it takes for the ball to get rolling on a great idea. People are usually resistent to change, but I think this would be great for baseball.
[…] World Series format to a best-out-of-nine event with some other minor changes mixed within [Scott Boras’ Plan To Take Over The World (Series)]. Then, Mr. Boras made every SportsCenter show for 3 straight days after saying that his client […]