1. Consider the "assets" being sold in each of these two auctions: How are they similar? How are they different? More specifically, to what extent is there a common value element in each auction? To what extent is there a private value element? 

2. As the seller, what implications do these distinctions suggest for the process you would use? As the buyer, what implications do these distinctions suggest for the way you would participate?

3. Both of these auctions were run by agents (Barnett and Boras) acting on behalf of their clients (Clinton and Rodriguez). As the client, how would you want to compensate your agent in these negotiations?

4. Focusing only on the deal processes used in each of these negotiations (i.e., without knowing very much about the specifics of the publishing or baseball industries), is there evidence suggesting that Simon & Schuster overpaid? That the Rangers overpaid? If yes, how could you avoid such outcomes as a bidder?

PART B. On-Line Auction Sites

1. As a seller, would you prefer the eBay method of fixed deadlines, or the Amazon method of "ten bidless minutes." (To answer this question put aside any preference you may have for finality, and assume that your only concern is maximizing the price received for the item.) Does it depend on the kind of asset you are selling? If so what asset characteristics matter?

2. What kind of seller would want to set a Buy It Now price?

3. Given the "proxy bid" system that both eBay and Amazon use, is there an incentive to shade bids downward?

4. How do you explain the phenomenon of "sniping" in eBay auctions? Put another way, why shouldn't bidders simply submit one bid?

PART C. Petrol Ofisi

1. How does the $10,000 application cost influence the auction? Does it benefit the seller? Could it benefit the eventual buyer?

2. What role does the indicative round play (if any) in the auction? As a bidder how would you bid in the indicative round? What features of the auction does your answer depend on?

3. Is this a common value auction or a private value auction?