Statement By Attorney General Eliot Spitzer

Disagreements are common in the business world. In fact, on any given day, thousands of disputes will arise that may directly or indirectly affect New York consumers. Many times these issues are not resolved for years, and then only with the intervention of the courts.

Allowing the YES/Cablevision impasse to continue as a typical business dispute was not an option for millions of Yankee fans. Last season was lost and there was a real prospect that the impasse could have jeopardized this season.

Fortunately, the parties in the dispute have now reached a compromise, agreeing to a new schedule of televised games and a process for resolving outstanding issues.

I am pleased that my office was helpful in resolving the impasse. During the last 48 hours, I met with senior representatives of the YES network, Cablevision and the lead underwriter, Goldman-Sachs Co. The discussions were intense and complex. In the end, a spirit of flexibility and cooperation prevailed, and that made all the difference. This effort built on Mayor Bloomberg's very constructive work last week.

The deal is good for each of the businesses involved, good for consumers and good for Yankee fans who will again be able to watch their team on television.