Dodgers Owner Frank McCourt called the strong interest shown in buying the franchise "fantastic," according to Bill Shaikin of the L.A. TIMES. McCourt: "It doesn't surprise me at all. It's a great franchise." More than a dozen parties have "expressed interest in buying the Dodgers, with civic icons and assorted billionaires joining the derby almost daily." MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said that he is "pleased with the competitors in the Dodgers sweepstakes." Selig: "The number of groups is impressive. The people are impressive. They have remarkable interest." He added, "What does it show? The manifestation of how good the sport is. It's come a long way since the last time (the Dodgers were for sale). It is a very positive sign." Shaikin noted McCourt voted "in support of Selig's contract extension Thursday, even after taking the Dodgers into bankruptcy in an effort to retain control of the team, over Selig's objections" (LATIMES.com, 1/12). Selig Thursday said the fervent early interest in buying the Dodgers, and the record sales price of more than $1B that is expected, are clear reflections of the growing economic might of the sport. Selig said when he first became permanent commissioner in '98, he told owners to judge his performance based on franchise asset values. And with sales of the Cubs, Rangers, Astros, Padres and Dodgers in the past three years all surpassing or expected to surpass $500M and media rights fees surging, franchise values are at historically strong levels. "I think we're on track to have the Dodgers sale completed, as stipulated, by April 30," Selig said. "I feel very confident about that" (Eric Fisher, SportsBusiness Journal). Selig added, "I think we're moving along just the way the legal process we are following very carefully has (laid out), and I feel very confident" (ESPNLA.com, 1/12).
COMPROMISING LOYALTY? The L.A. TIMES' Shaikin writes in "inducing McCourt to sell, Selig made a deal that could come back to bite him, one that could risk fracturing the backbone of his success over two decades as commissioner -- that is, the loyalty he commands over owners." McCourt will get "more money for the Dodgers than anyone ever has gotten for a baseball team." And then the other owners "ought to ask: What about me?" McCourt's "parting lesson to his fellow owners might be this: Let Selig control your sale at your peril, millions upon millions worth of peril." Bankruptcy "cost the Dodgers more than $10 million." The competitive bidding that "emerged from the bankruptcy settlement should mean hundreds of millions more for McCourt." Shaikin asks, "If one bankruptcy is an anomaly, are two bankruptcies a trend?" Selig "blessed the sale of the Texas Rangers two years ago for $520 million." The Rangers "filed for bankruptcy and sold at auction for $593 million." It should "not make sense for an owner to take his team into bankruptcy to ensure the highest possible sale price" (L.A. TIMES, 1/13).
