Oregon Public Broadcasting

One of the lead negotiators for sports owner Merritt Paulson was hired Wednesday by the city of Beaverton. As Rob Manning reports, that's where discussions about minor league baseball are now centered.

Back when Portland officials were negotiating with Portland Beavers and Timbers’ owner, Merritt Paulson, Don Mazziotti sat next to his boss, Paulson.

Those heated meetings produced a deal on soccer but not baseball. That sent baseball talks to Beaverton this summer, where Mazziotti hadn't been involved.

Mazziotti will soon be on board as the city’s director of community development. But Beaverton Mayor Denny Doyle says Mazziotti’s past with Merritt Paulson shouldn’t create a conflict in current talks.

Denny Doyle: “Well, he was involved, I think the soccer stuff in July I believe. But I - my suspicion, by the time Don starts here, we’ll be fairly into that process as a go or no-go. I’m not sure there’ll be much impact on that decision.”

Mazziotti starts in about two weeks. Mayor Doyle says he’ll likely supervise any land-use issues for a possible Beaverton stadium.

Mazziotti previously ran the Portland Development Commission where he left a mixed legacy of big projects, as well as a big expense account.