The Dodgers blasted MLB in court papers filed yesterday morning with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware for declining to produce requested documents and executives for depositions. The team wants the league to produce documents related not just to its proposed financing for the club, but all documents related to the troubled financial affairs of the Mets, and those related to other media deals approved by MLB. It is the Dodgers’ contention that they are being singled out for unfavorable treatment, and so the bankruptcy court should reject MLB’s attempt to lend the club money. The court has a July 20 hearing scheduled on the financing issue. A hearing via telephone will be held tomorrow on the discovery issue. The team also cites a teleconference Sunday with MLB in which the league is alleged to have said six of seven senior league execs scheduled for depositions in the case later this month will not be produced. The motion reads in part, "The requested discovery is likely to yield substantial additional evidence that Commissioner [Bud] Selig's actions have not been intended to advance the best interests of the Dodgers" (Fisher & Kaplan, SportsBusiness Journal).
MORE MOTION: In N.Y., Richard Sandomir reports the motion also stated that the evidence sought by the Dodgers “would demonstrate MLB’s ‘bad faith’ dealings in denying” the team the cash it needed to avoid bankruptcy. The team is demanding documents that relate to Selig’s rejection of “a 17-year deal with Fox Sports worth at least $2.5 billion,” and the commissioner’s “approval of similar local TV agreements" by the Mariners, Rangers, Astros and Mets. The Dodgers also demand production of documents relating to MLB’s “recent investigation of the Dodgers,” as well as the Mets’ financial affairs and “their pending sale of a minority interest to” hedge fund manager David Einhorn. MLB Exec VP/Labor Relations & HR Rob Manfred in an interview said that "the 'relevant' evidence would be provided regarding its proposal to provide interim financing to the Dodgers but on nothing broader” (N.Y. TIMES, 7/6). Dodgers Owner Frank McCourt also requested information “about any communications between Selig’s office and McCourt’s ex-wife, Jamie, who has asked a Los Angeles Superior Court judge to order the Dodgers sold” (L.A. TIMES, 7/6). On Long Island, Ken Davidoff wrote, “I have to assume that McCourt is in the wrong here legally,” in demanding documents relating to the Mets finances. Davidoff: “But how great would it be for us to get a look at some of that Mets documentation? We can only hope” (NEWSDAY.com, 7/5).
DODGING MCCOURT: The state of the Dodgers ownership was discussed during ESPN's "Sunday Night Baseball" coverage of the Dodgers-Angels game. ESPN's Dan Shulman said, “One way or the other it seems baseball is intent on forcing Frank McCourt to sell the Dodgers. And one way or another it seems Frank McCourt is intent on keeping the Dodgers. And the longer there is no resolution, the longer it seems the franchise will suffer.” ESPN's Orel Hershiser, who played for the Dodgers and has been linked to a possible ownership group for the team, said, "It’s a crown jewel that has fallen out of its setting. You’re not only the owner of the Dodgers, you’re the guardian of the Dodgers, it’s like a stewardship. And the fan base is being protected right now by Bud Selig and Major League Baseball. They want something done to restore sanity in Los Angeles and to give these guys a chance to win on the field and the fans to give them something to root for again -- and to trust.” Shulman noted attendance at Dodger Stadium is down 8,000 per game this season and said, "There are even some stories that some Dodgers fans won’t go to Dodger Stadium but they’ve come here to Anaheim to support their team because they don’t want to put money into Frank McCourt’s pockets. Now that’s fans speaking out and saying ‘Hey, we’ve had enough’” ("Dodgers-Angels," ESPN, 7/3).
O CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN: In S.F., Scott Ostler wrote it is “time for Selig to step down as commissioner.” Ostler salutes Selig’s “contributions to the game, such as interleague play and the wild card,” but noted that with him, MLB is not “getting much bang for its $20 million-per-year salary buck.” Ostler: “His treatment of the A’s is a bad running joke. … If you point out how the game has grown financially under Selig’s watch, then you also have to salute Frank McCourt, because the Dodgers have shot up in value since he bought the team. Maybe Selig was dynamic once upon a time, but he has lost his spitball” (S.F. CHRONICLE, 7/3). Also in S.F., Bruce Jenkins wrote, “What a massive stain on Bud Selig’s legacy, allowing McCourt into baseball when any finance-wise person in New England could have told him McCourt is a fraud. If it takes years for Selig to get out from under this, he’ll know he brought it entirely on himself” (S.F. CHRONICLE, 7/3).
