According to an article this week in the Denver Post, the possible acquisition of a major league baseball team by Liberty Media could be a possible conflict of interest. Liberty Media, an online gambling firm, has made a public bid for the Atlanta Braves.
However, the firm is also the owner of a well-known sports-betting firm, Don Best.com, which regularly accepts wagers from baseball fans on the season's events.  Don Best.com prides itself on being a premier sports-betting operation, but it is this alone that could hinder Liberty Media's purchase of a professional sports team.
The decision to acquire the Altanta Braves was made as part of an asset swap between Liberty Media and current owners Time Warner, with the deal requiring a 75 percent approval rating from other major-league team owners before it can go ahead. Major League Baseball itself is commonly associated with taking a hardline toward its teams' associations with gambling operations, casting doubt on whether Liberty Media's bid will be a success.
Liberty Media spokesperson John Orr refused to answer media enquiries regarding Don Best.com's future operations. However, Dave Smrek, director of sports-consulting firm Adrenalin, told media that he has reservations about the deal. “I think Major League Baseball would have to take a long, hard look at it,” Smrek said. “In one way or another, it needs to be addressed.”
Smrek also hinted that Liberty Media may be forced to sacrifice their interests in Don Best.com before taking on the Atlanta Braves. “If necessary, Liberty shouldn't have a problem divesting Don Best to get the Braves deal approved,” Smrek said. "For them, this is a pretty small play."

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