The fact of the matter is, the baseball fan is going to get more exciting baseball this spring than he or she has ever gotten before. Overall, there's a net-net benefit to baseball fans.

With baseball being as hot as it is, we get to bring all of that goodwill to Pittsburgh.

ESPN has been a tremendous television partner and I am extremely pleased that we will be enhancing our relationship with their coverage of the inaugural World Baseball Classic. The magnitude of ESPN's reach will provide the broad, in-depth coverage that this event deserves.

People can say whatever they want to say, but the facts speak for themselves, ... When it comes to network television, baseball is the No. 2 sport.