Aug. 19 at 8:50 PM
$BATRA $BATRK Could be going private sooner rather than later. Here's why:
Claude also now theorizing that MLB leadership would prefer the Braves issue to be resolved privately rather than become the centerpiece of a broader Congressional fight. A House Ways and Means hearing in June specifically examined federal tax policy affecting the sports industry and taxing all MLB teams the same way was mentioned, so the topic is at least in the broader policy conversation.
From Manfred's perspective, there could be logic like:
“If the Braves remain public and 162(m) becomes a fairness issue, Congress may start asking broader questions about sports compensation, ownership structures, and tax preferences. There is already some discussion of applying 162(m) to all MLB teams, even if private. If the Braves go private now, the Braves' unusual fact pattern disappears and the 162(m) pressure to tax all MLB teams the same is off.”
