Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Selig Unsurprisingly Shrugs About Lengthy McCourt Divorce Disaster

Yes, the McCourt divorce trainwreck could continue well into 2012, damning the Dodgers to additional lost seasons in a limbo of low-payrolled, poor-performing teams. But MLB Commissioner Bud Selig is still sitting on the sidelines, shrugging his shoulders:

The inability of Frank and Jamie McCourt to settle their divorce case and the prospect of several more years of litigation has prompted Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig to consider intervening on behalf of the Dodgers.

Selig has remained virtually silent on the issue since the McCourts filed for divorce 11 months ago, saying only that the legal proceedings needed to play out.

However, according to four people who have spoken with him, Selig is dismayed at the public spectacle surrounding the divorce and concerned about the potential for lasting damage to the league and its flagship West Coast franchise. He has told those people he wants the Dodgers' ownership situation resolved long before his scheduled retirement in 2012.

You want glimmers of hope, Dodger fans? There, at the bottom of Bill Shaikin's piece, lies a faint spark of light:

Sal Galatioto, whose New York investment firm advises buyers and sellers of sports franchises, said McCourt would not need to entertain lowball offers if he were to sell the Dodgers.

"There would be plenty of buyers," Galatioto said. "The team is profitable. It's Los Angeles."

The list of potential buyers is headed by Southern California residents, including Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio, former player agent Dennis Gilbert, Boston Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner, former commissioner Peter Ueberroth and real estate developer Alan Casden.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and software mogul Larry Ellison also have been mentioned as potential buyers, and one baseball source said Asian investors might explore a bid as well.

Cuban? Ellison? Anyone? Bueller?

Please?

3 comments:

Nostradamus said...

Cuban's antics worry me, but it would be miles better than the current debacle.

Rob said...

Remember, this is the commish who steered the Dodgers to an owner guaranteed to be hamstrung by debt from Day One. If the Dodgers have to be sold, well, darn it, too bad.

Sauerkraut said...

What about O'Malley? I heard Pete wanted to get back in on the action.