MLB said yesterday in a filing with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware it wants $8.3M in bills settled before the Dodgers emerge from bankruptcy. MLB has submitted expenses it has incurred from the Dodgers case, mostly legal fees, with the question of how much of that $8.3M the club owes the league now before court-appointed mediator Joseph Farnan Jr. The question over the bills is not expected to prevent the court from approving the record-setting $2.15B sale of the club to Guggenheim Baseball Management, which is scheduled for April 13. MLB, in filing its expenses, cited the league constitution, which prohibits clubs from pursuing litigation against the league or other teams. The Dodgers have incurred more than $20M in legal fees during the case through the end of February, extending a record for the most expensive sports team bankruptcy ever (Eric Fisher, SportsBusiness Journal). In L.A., Bill Shaikin notes the "primary question for Farnan is whether the Dodgers should repay MLB for its legal costs in the bankruptcy case." Of the $8.3M in bills included in yesterday's filing, "all but about" $400,000 cover legal fees (L.A. TIMES, 4/4).
NEW VIBE: In L.A., Jill Painter notes Dodgers co-Owner Stan Kasten was at Dodger Stadium yesterday, "with a tour of the stadium and all its parts from operations officials" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 4/4). Meanwhile, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said of Frank McCourt's tenure as owner, "Obviously, I read the papers and I'm not blind to what went on here. But for me personally, it's been a good relationship." He added now that the sale to Guggenheim Baseball has been announced, "there's a different vibe in the stands, you can feel a different energy with people." But he said, "If we don't put up wins, that vibe is not going to be that great" (L.A. TIMES, 4/4).
I WISH THEY ALL COULD BE CALIFORNIA GIRLS: The Dodgers yesterday announced a season-long partnership with The Beach Boys to jointly celebrate the 50th anniversaries of both the band and Dodger Stadium. The band is scheduled to perform Tuesday ahead of the Dodgers' home opener against the Pirates. As part of the deal, The Beach Boys and the Dodgers will offer co-branded merchandise featuring the two 50th anniversary logos. The items will be available at Dodger Stadium and on The Beach Boys' '12 reunion tour beginning Tuesday. The club also will dedicate its May 18 game against the Cardinals as "Beach Boys Night" (Dodgers).
