MLB

Alex Rodriguez contributed to the Yankees having the highest payroll in baseball.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

CHICAGO -- Some teams lost money in 2009, baseball commissioner Bud Selig said Thursday after the final owners meeting of the year.

"There was no question about that," Selig said. "I don't think the concerns have been ameliorated at all.

"I think the concerns are still there because all these people have their own economists."

Selig said final revenue figures for this year are still being calculated and everyone is living in the most difficult economic times since the Great Depression. Baseball, he said, is not immune to that environment.

Selig also said there was no discussion of increasing the use of video review by umpires, a subject that has been debated following several missed calls during the post-season.

Owners also heard reports on the civil rights game, the World Baseball Classic, legislative affairs, and baseball's Internet division.

The owners also welcomed new Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts.

"It was very interesting. Once again, just learning," Ricketts said after emerging from the meeting.

The Cubs, who drew over three million fans again last season, had the third-highest payroll at the beginning of last season behind the New York Yankees and Mets.

"I'm not going to make any predictions on the economy. I think we did OK as a team," Ricketts said.