MLB taking over Los Angeles Dodgers
Day to day operations
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Major League Baseball announced today it is taking over the day-to-day operations of the Los Angeles Dodgers and beginning an investigation into the team's finances.
Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig said he notified Dodgers owner Frank McCourt today that he "will appoint a representative to oversee all aspects of the business and the day-to-day operations of the club.''
"I have taken this action because of my deep concerns regarding the finances and operations of the Dodgers and to protect the best interests of the club, its great fans and all of Major League Baseball,'' Selig said. "My office will continue its thorough investigation into the operations and
finances of the Dodgers and related entities during the period of Mr. McCourt's ownership. I will announce the name of my representative in the next several days.
"The Dodgers have been one of the most prestigious franchises in all of sports, and we owe it to their legion of loyal fans to ensure that this club is being operated properly now and will be guided appropriately in the future.''
The ownership of the team has been the central focus of the pending divorce of Frank and Jamie McCourt. The Los Angeles Times has reported in recent weeks that Frank McCourt took a $30 million personal loan from Fox in order to meet the team's payroll.
There was no immediate response from the Dodgers or McCourt.
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—A former president of the Texas Rangers was appointed by Major League Baseball today to oversee the day-to-day operations of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
J. Thomas Schieffer was an investor in an ownership group headed by George W. Bush that purchased the Rangers in 1989. Schieffer also served as U.S. ambassador to Australia from 2001-2005 and as U.S. ambassador to Japan from 2005-2009 when Bush was president.
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—The City Council today threw its support behind an effort to give Los Angeles Dodgers fans a chance to own the ball club.
The council approved a resolution calling on Congress to make such an ownership change possible. Councilwoman Janice Hahn, who is running for Congress and introduced the motion, said she is not proposing the city of Los Angeles take ownership of the team, but rather to let fans invest during a public offering.
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Frank and Jamie McCourt announced today that they have reached a divorce settlement over ownership of the Dodgers, ending what is believed to be the costliest marital split in California history.
“The terms of the settlement, which is already in effect, will remain private,” according to a joint statement issued by the McCourts. “Jamie will be withdrawing her opposition to the Dodgers proposed sale of media rights and instead will be filing papers in support of the process proposed by the Dodgers.”
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Prominent Los Angeles religious leaders throw their support behind Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, saying they sent a letter to Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig and urged him to approve a $3 billion deal between McCourt and Fox.
“As religious leaders in the Los Angeles community and lifelong fans of the game of baseball, we are writing to express our sincere displeasure with the manner in which the Los Angeles Dodgers and Frank McCourt have been treated by Major League Baseball,” according to the June 3 letter.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — A motions hearing that was set to start today has been rescheduled for Wednesday in post-divorce proceedings between Frank and Jamie McCourt in which the value of the Los Angeles Dodgers is at issue.
Jamie McCourt is suing her ex-husband for $770 million, claiming Frank McCourt lowballed the team’s worth in the couple’s settlement.
