Report: A-Rod plan to go around Boras came from Buffett

NEW YORK -- Warren Buffett advised Alex Rodriguez to
approach the New York Yankees and go around agent Scott Boras, The
Wall Street Journal reported Saturday.

The newspaper cited a person familiar with the matter, whom it
did not identify.

"A-Rod really loves being a Yankee," Buffett was quoted as
saying. He wouldn't comment on the substance of any discussions
with the player.

The two became friends several years ago.

Rodriguez, on Boras' advise, opted out of the final three
seasons of his record $252 million, 10-year contract on Oct. 28.
The Yankees had said many times that if he opted out, they wouldn't
negotiate because they would lose $21.3 million from Texas for the
final three seasons that was agreed to at the time of the 2004
trade, money to offset the $72 million New York owed from 2008-10.

Upset with developments after he opted out, Rodriguez contacted
Buffett, and the investor told him to approach the Yankees without
his agent, the Journal said.

After speaking with the investor, Rodriguez contacted a managing
director at Goldman Sachs that he knew, John Mallory, who then got
in touch with Gerald Cardinale, a Goldman Sachs managing director
who has worked with the Yankees and their YES Network.

With the assistance of the two Goldman executives, Rodriguez and
the Yankees negotiated a $275 million, 10-year contract that is in
the process of being finalized.

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