A Steinbrenner joining Red Sox Nation?

New York Yankees principal owner George Steinbrenner, left, watches a spring training baseball game against the University of South Florida with his son Hank Steinbrenner Friday, Feb. 29, 2008 in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

TAMPA, Fla.—Yankees general partner Hank Steinbrenner knows what he'll do with a Red Sox Nation membership card if John Henry sends him one.

"I'll give it to the (Yankees) fans and let them handle it," Steinbrenner said Sunday. "The fans will probably take care of that. Let them decide."

Henry, a former member of the Yankees' ownership group, inducted Steinbrenner into the club Saturday after Steinbrenner challenged the popularity of the Red Sox's fan club.

"I'll think of a good response," Steinbrenner joked.

The Steinbrenner family holds Henry in high regard, and Henry and the Steinbrenner's may collaborate on non-baseball ventures in the future.

"We love John Henry," Steinbrenner said. "Our whole family does. We've got no problem with John, I'll tell you that much. I'm sure we'll be working on things with him the future. There's nothing to talk about yet. A couple things have been talked about, that's all."

Steinbrenner would not get into specifics about any potential projects.

Red Sox spokesman John Blake said he knew of no projects that Henry and the Steinbrenners are collaborating on.

Steinbrenner said Henry has done "an incredible job" as the Red Sox owner.

"It's going to be a tougher rivalry than it ever was in the past," Steinbrenner said. "It's going to continue to be a tough, tough, tough rivalry. And they're always going to be good as long as John is the owner."

But don't think Steinbrenner is easing up on the Yankees' greatest rival, saying New York "will be better, that's the bottom line."

Steinbrenner added: "I haven't soften on the Red Sox any, I don't want to worry the fans. We'll always be arch rivals."