A Nippon Professional Baseball executive committee panel, which is screening the applications of Internet-related companies Rakuten Inc. and Livedoor Co. as they vie to create a new baseball team in Sendai, failed to reach a decision on Tuesday.
The NPB panel gave a progress report on the screenings of the two companies but has not revealed any concrete conclusions on whether either company is fit to establish a team next season.
The panel formed from the 12 pro baseball teams will narrow down the choice to one applicant after an account of both companies' finances is presented and reviewed by each team on Friday. The final decision is expected at a meeting of owners next Tuesday.