Tavares Might Run Ducks and Angels

Speculation that Tony Tavares, president of the Mighty Ducks and Disney Sports Enterprises, would be elevated to a position overseeing the Angels and Ducks “is fairly accurate,” Jackie Autry, Angel executive vice president, said Friday.

Tavares’ position would be similar to that of Stan Kasten, who oversees the Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Hawks and has different executives in charge of each team.

Autry, who agreed Thursday to sell 25% of the team to the Walt Disney Co., said team President Richard Brown will continue to run the Angels until Disney gains operational control, probably next fall, but it’s possible he could remain with the team in a similar capacity.

Autry said she doesn’t expect Disney to completely overhaul the organization when it becomes managing general partner.

“Disney will come in and evaluate people over a period of months and if they’re capable, they’ll stay,” said Autry, who Thursday agreed to sell 25% of the Angels to Disney for an estimated $30 million.

“I know Disney wants a strong marketing program, so they’ll be supplementing our efforts in that area. If anyone is anxious about the situation, they’re anticipating something that won’t happen. That’s not Disney’s style.”

Chicago White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, a member of baseball’s six-man ownership committee, said Friday baseball will conduct a review of Disney and the deal that would take about 90-100 days.

Owners could then call a special meeting or a conference call to vote on the sale, or wait until their quarterly meeting in September.

“It’s always possible that something could go wrong, but I assume it won’t,” Reinsdorf said. “I would be very surprised if there were any negative circumstances that had to be dealt with.

“I don’t see how anybody could have anything but a positive reaction to Disney being involved in baseball. It’s certainly an endorsement of the game’s future, and it’s great for that franchise.”

Autry, wife of Chairman of the Board Gene Autry, was negotiating with former baseball Commissioner Peter Ueberroth, who had offered $130 million for the Angels, in February when she said Disney made its first serious inquiry about the team.

Autry said she could not comment on the price or terms of the Disney deal because of a confidentiality agreement signed by both parties, but the team is believed to be worth about $120 million.

However, Autry said the Angels lost about $11 million during the strike-shortened 1994 season and expect to lose another $12.5 million this year. She would not say whether Disney has agreed to absorb all or part of those losses.

Though Disney is expected to have a major impact on what many consider one of the worst-marketed teams in sports, there did not appear to be any panic in the Angel front office, anyone worried about losing a job. Or, perhaps, they were just hiding it well.

“People are not running around here saying, ‘What do you think? What do you think?’ ” said Tim Mead, Angel assistant general manager. “They’re doing the same jobs today that they did Thursday.

“Privately, maybe there’s some anxiety, but if you can’t be excited about the possibilities [of Disney owning the team] I would say you have to change your outlook. I don’t know how it will affect the team, but everyone is very optimistic and positive.”

Joe Schrier, Angels’ vice president in charge of marketing, said his department is looking at the sale “as a very positive move that will benefit all.”

Including Schrier?

“I would hope so,” he said. “But right now it doesn’t make sense to talk about it. Everything has happened so quickly, we haven’t had a chance to figure it all out.”

Said Angel General Manager Bill Bavasi: “Job stability comes with performance. The players have always been told that your performance is your salvation, and we’re no different.”