Text of the letter from Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig to Marge Schott:

February 5, 2003

Marge Schott
8505 Blome Road
Cincinnati, OH 45243

Dear Marge:

I have been made aware of litigation which you have started against Great American Insurance Company related to the location of your complimentary season tickets and the use of a suite in Great American Ball Park. Based on everything I know, and the background of your agreement of April 1999, I have to admit that I am very disappointed in your conduct, and I urge you to promptly dismiss the litigation.

As you know, Marge, my office and I were very involved in the discussions that led up to your selling your shares of the club to the group led by Carl Lindner. It is my opinion that you were very well treated in that agreement. Not only did the Club agree to retain your 21 free premium seats, but you are eligible for eight additional seats for free because of the one unit of the Reds you retained. You also get to use the owners' suite pro rata in accordance with your shares. This seems to me to be an eminently reasonable solution and I am shocked you would think otherwise. Marge, even the attorney representing you in the sale, the respected and very able Frank J. Kelley, told you in a letter last October that you had nothing to complain about. You have received everything you are entitled to under your sale.

It appears that your attorney is basing your claims on my office's letter of September 22, 1999. As we have made it extremely clear to you, the 1999 letter in no way expanded any of your rights or privileges to a suite or specific seats in the new stadium. Our general counsel, Tom Ostertag, wrote you on January 10, before the lawsuit was filed, and advised you of this in writing. Surprisingly, and improperly, you went ahead with your baseless lawsuit.

Marge, after all you went through to get the new ballpark going, please do not have a disruptive impact on the fan's excitement and the good will surrounding the opening of Great American Ball Park. I expect you to resolve this dispute promptly by dismissing the claims and comporting yourself appropriately rather than attacking Mr. Lindner, who is merely acting in accordance with the terms of the 1999 agreement.

I hope this letter finds you in good health. I look forward to seeing you on opening day.

Sincerely,

Allan H. Selig
Commissioner