The media feud between FSN and the Dodgers took another bitter turn today when the team sued the RSN, alleging it has wrongly interfered with ongoing bankruptcy reorganization efforts. FSN last week sent a cease-and-desist letter, demanding the Dodgers and financial advisor Blackstone Advisory stop developing efforts to market the club's cable TV rights well ahead of the current contract terms. But the Dodgers told the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware that the move, and the RSN's broader opposition to the marketing of the rights, represent "an impermissible exercise of control over (the Dodgers') property."
"Fox's efforts ... are affecting and will continue to affect the estate adversely, including the efforts of the (Dodgers) estate to evaluate, market and potentially dispose of its existing and future media rights and to reorganize (the) estate," the suit reads in part. The lawsuit now has both the Dodgers and FSN suing each other, and each claiming to be the aggrieved party in the dispute. MLB has agreed to be a neutral party in the overall Dodgers-Fox dispute as a result of its settlement earlier this month with team Owner Frank McCourt.
"This is just the latest chapter in the current owner's ongoing scheme to avoid honoring his contractual obligations. The full truth of this unfortunate situation will soon become apparent to all," FSN said in a statement.
