SIDELINES : Phoenix Big-League Bid Stalled

Citing high start-up costs, Triple-A Phoenix Firebirds owner Martin Stone says he probably will withdraw his bid for a major league baseball franchise, seriously setting back an effort to bring big-league baseball to Arizona.

Stone, a front-runner in Phoenix’s effort to get a major league franchise, said he is “90%” certain he will withdraw his bid if he cannot persuade National League owners to reduce the $95-million franchise fee. Stone added that he is trying to arrange a meeting later this week with members of the league’s expansion task force.

Stone said he would have to pay an additional $40 million to $50 million in start-up costs, which would put the actual cost of beginning a franchise at $135 million to $145 million.

The high start-up costs, Stone said, would make a new Phoenix franchise “economically not viable,” because the Phoenix area could generate only $3 million to $3.5 million a year in television and radio revenue. New York City can generate television revenue as high as $41 million, he said.