Is Time Warner Cable's Interest In Dodgers Ownership Merely About TV Rights?

Time Warner Cable “does not really want to own the Dodgers” despite earlier this week formally expressing an interest to bid for the team, as it is more interested in broadcasting Dodgers games "on its two new sports channels, set to launch later this year," according to Shaikin & Flint of the L.A. TIMES. Sources said that the company “has signaled to at least some prospective owners its interest in securing those television rights, in whatever way might make the most financial sense to the owner.” The company in essence is “exploring whether it would be more prudent to wait for the TV rights to come on the market -- with potential owners well aware of what would be a bidding war between Fox and TWC -- or pursue ownership of some or all of the team” (LATIMES.com, 1/5).

TORRE A GOOD PICK: Joe Torre this week resigned from his post as MLB Exec VP/Baseball Operations to pursue an ownership opportunity with the Dodgers, and in DC, Dick Heller wrote if Torre and “his pals succeed, with Joe becoming chief of baseball operations, it could be the best news for Dodgers fans since Sandy Koufax learned how to throw strikes.” It is “hard to root against Torre,” as he would be “the best possible choice to oversee baseball operations for the Bums and possibly the best choice to restore a club that has fallen on hard times" since the McCourts bought the club in '04 (WASHINGTON TIMES, 1/5).