MediaFile

(Updates with picture)

Reuters correspondent Ben Klayman interviewed the commissioners of the top three U.S. sports leagues — the National Football League, Major League Baseball and the National Basketball Association at the Reuters Media Summit in New York this week.

On Barry Bonds Legacy

Question: Brett Krasnove says:
If and when Barry Bonds breaks Hank Aaron’s career home run record of 755, what kind of celebration will MLB do? Are you concerned that celebrating this could potentially be viewed as glorifying steroid use?

Answer: Major League baseball Commissioner Bud Selig says:
“If and when (Bonds) breaks Hank Aaron’s record, we will commemorate in the way we would do any record of that size. Hank understands the position that we find ourselves in and if Barry Bonds breaks the record, it will be so commemorated.”

Do stadiums have a future in the digital age?

Question: Theron Schultz asks:
How does each league plan to attract fans to stadiums in the face of new technology allowing fans more control over how they view games? Specifically, as my control over my “personal” broadcast via Internet increases, what incentive is there to pay to go to the game when anything I want is literally at my fingertips?

Answer: Commissioner Selig responds:
“If you’re a fan, and they have had these (devices) for some years and we keep breaking attendance record every year so I’m confident we’re on the right track. When all is said and done … there is something really unique about being there, whether you’re in Fenway, whether you’re in Wrigley Field, whether you’re in Busch Stadium in St Louis, Dodger Stadium, wherever, baseball really lends itself to that. Our prices are such that it’s really family entertainment. The experience is so unique, I’m really not concerned about that.”

Click the player below to hear Selig’s comments on how baseball will celebrate if Barry Bonds breaks Hank Aaron’s home run record.