Time Warner Cable yesterday "confirmed its interest in pursuing a bid" for the Dodgers, according to Bill Shaikin of the L.A. TIMES. Of the interested parties, the group "with the most urgent need to buy the team might be Time Warner Cable." TWC and the Lakers "are set to launch two cable channels later this year, one in English and one in Spanish." The Angels "have reached a new, long-term deal with Fox Sports, leaving the Dodgers as the one baseball team in town available for live summer programming on the TWC channels." Shaikin noted spending "some $4 billion for the rights to air Dodgers games might not be as efficient as spending less than half that to buy the team." TWC "also could join a prospective ownership group" (LATIMES.com, 1/4).
THEY'RE IN THE GATE: Shaikin in a separate piece reports the Dodgers "ownership derby is fast becoming the most intriguing reality show in Los Angeles, with athletic legends, civic icons and assorted billionaires jockeying for control of a team mired in bankruptcy proceedings." Joe Torre "entered the Dodgers sweepstakes Wednesday, joining forces with developer Rick Caruso." Pro Basketball HOFer Magic Johnson "is in," as are Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban, SAC Capital Advisors Founder Steven Cohen, White Sox Special Assistant to the Chair Dennis Gilbert, Penguins co-Owner Ron Burkle, former Sabres Owner Tom Golisano, former Dodgers Owner Peter O'Malley, former Dodgers Exec VP & GM Fred Claire and ESPN analyst Orel Hershiser. Caruso, who has "considered a run for mayor of Los Angeles, is perhaps best known for developing The Grove, a highly successful shopping and entertainment center adjacent to Farmers Market." Shaikin notes Caruso "is well known among civic leaders, if not among fans." A source said that although Caruso "is a developer, he is focusing on the baseball team and has no plan for the land surrounding Dodger Stadium." Outgoing Dodgers Owner Frank McCourt "is not obligated to include that land in the sale of the team." Chicago-based BDT Capital investment banker Byron Trott is "working with Caruso and Torre." Initial bids for the team "are due Jan. 23." Shaikin notes since that date "is weeks away and since many prospective bidders have not been publicly identified, it is impossible to say whether any party might be a front-runner." In addition, "since the new owner will be selected by McCourt and not by Commissioner Bud Selig, the usual handicapping method -- find the 'Friends of Bud' and put them together -- does not apply to the Dodgers' sale." MLB has "agreed to approve up to 10 bidders, setting the stage for a spring auction in which the Dodgers are expected to command more than $1 billion" (L.A. TIMES, 1/5).
HAVING THE INSIDE TRACK? The N.Y. Daily News' John Harper said Torre "may be in a position where he feels like he has an inside track to get the team." Harper: "I'm sure he spoke to Selig when he talked about leaving this job and Selig, remember, kind of steered the Red Sox ownership in that direction when they bought the team. So I think he probably knows what he’s getting into.” The N.Y. Daily News' Bruce Murray said, “Bud Selig, with a lot of other sales, has gone with cronies and guys he's wanted to be in position, even a guy here in New York. I think that's what helps that group" ("Daily News Live," SportsNet N.Y., 1/4). MLB Network's Harold Reynolds said, "I can’t see him walking away from the position without thinking, ‘Hey, I’ve got a shot at getting this thing,’ and really feeling like he may have an upper hand here” ("Hot Stove," MLB Network, 1/4). In L.A., Tom Hoffarth writes the Torre-Caruso entry "might just be the double team that makes everyone else also-rans." There are "few in the game today who are better aligned with Selig." Add Caruso's "spotless reputation with deep L.A. roots, and there's the perfect companion piece" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 1/5). NBCSports.com Craig Calcaterra said Torre and Caruso "under normal circumstances" might have an inside track, but "we have a bit of a wrinkle." Calcaterra: "The Dodgers are in bankruptcy court. The bankruptcy judge is looking for the highest bidder to go to the creditors of Frank McCourt. Baseball still has a role in that. They're going to be given a list of potential bidders who meet a certain criteria and they're going to be able to say okay. You can rest assured Joe Torre’s group will get the okay. It does help. It's not the panacea it would be if this was an open market sale” ("NBC Sports Talk," NBC Sports Network, 1/4).
THE PERFECT FIT: YAHOO SPORTS' Tim Brown wrote under the header, "Torre Brings Credibility To Dodger Ownership Bid." Brown noted while the "face at the top of the bid will have less impact than the number on its bottom line, there also appears to be something to the name on the marquee." There is "no bigger personality in baseball circles than Torre," and the benefit of Torre during the coming months "is multi-fold." Brown: "He knows McCourt and he knows the Dodgers. He knows Selig and he knows MLB. He knows L.A." (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 1/4). MLB Network’s Peter Gammons said, “Joe essentially would be what Nolan Ryan is for the Texas Rangers. It gives them immediate credibility, it gives them a real hand on how to run a baseball operation” ("Hot Stove," MLB Network, 1/4). In N.Y., Lynn Zinser notes Torre would "almost certainly take on a prominent role with the franchise if the bid is successful." Caruso's development background "could help the rejuvenation of Dodger Stadium as a destination." In teaming with Caruso, Torre "brings his long experience in baseball to Caruso’s business acumen" (NYTIMES.com, 1/4). ESPN L.A.'s Arash Markazi wrote of the prospective bidders, Torre "is the best fit of them all, and it's not even close." The Dodgers "need an owner focused solely on the Dodgers, not one trying to bring an NFL team to Los Angeles or win another NBA title in Dallas." There "isn't a more respected and liked person in baseball than Torre." He would "bring all the characteristics -- integrity, honesty, accountability -- that have been missing from Dodgers ownership in recent years" (ESPNLA.com, 1/4).
