According to noMaas.org and the NY Times this weekend, there is a high probability that MLB will announce an agreement that restricts the out of market "Extra Innings" package to DirecTV satellite programming.

Taking the package off of cable is offensive to me and every other out of market fan - of any team. In 2006, Extra Innings was available in 75 million homes. If this new deal takes effect, only DirecTV subscribers will be able to see 2007 Yankees games out of the NY market, i.e., about 15 million homes.

In my area, Extra Innings on cable was about $150.00 for the 2006 season.

Now I (and millions of other out of market fans) will be forced to incur:

a) The switching costs from cable to DirecTV and
b) The DirecTV Extra Innings subscription cost ($180.00 in 2006).

What will the price be in 2007 now that DirecTV has been granted a monopoly?

Thanks, Mr. Selig.