The league's new television contract should help in that regard, too.
The national television contract will be in effect through the 2011 season with an option for 2012.
The small markets can thrive because of the current television contract for $18 billion over eight years.
The first is a better local television contract for the two teams.
Though negotiations on a new television contract are expected to begin this month, their current deal does not end until June 2002.
At present, the league does not have a television contract.
A new television contract will be negotiated during the season.
Talks for a television contract are under way, he said.
It is one of the largest local television contracts in major league sports.
Prior to 1962, each team had its own individual television contract.