CBS and MSG have each "considered whether to invest in a Dodgers ownership group to secure the team's television rights," according to sources cited by Bill Shaikin of the L.A. TIMES. The sources said that the objective for both parties "would be to launch a regional sports network centered on the Dodgers." It is "uncertain whether CBS or MSG has committed to provide financing to one or more bidding groups." Fox Sports currently airs the Dodgers on Prime Ticket, and "would like to retain them." Time Warner Cable also is "interested in securing" the Dodgers' TV rights. Bevilacqua Media Company CEO Chris Bevilacqua said that although Fox Sports and TWC "already operate regional sports networks in the Los Angeles market, it would not be surprising for other operators to be interested in the Dodgers' television rights." Shaikin notes it is "uncertain how Major League Baseball would evaluate a bid significantly dependent on financing from television companies and equity funds." MLB generally "prefers that television revenue be invested in the operations of the team rather than be used to buy a team." However, if outgoing Owner Frank McCourt believes that MLB "has unreasonably rejected a bidder, he can appeal to a mediator appointed by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court." Seven parties currently remain in contention, but sources said that Blackstone Advisory Partners, the investment bank handling the sale, "has not ruled out" adding any of the eliminated parties to the list of bidders submitted to MLB for evaluation. It is "uncertain how much flexibility Blackstone and MLB might exhibit in considering additional parties" (L.A. TIMES, 3/2).
ALL-INCLUSIVE SALE: In California, Bob Keisser writes as much as MLB Commissioner Bud Selig "has positioned himself on the high ground since getting involved in the forced sale of the Dodgers, the Major League Baseball czar is bungling the prospect of a simple sale to a worthy ownership group as much as he has most things involving the Dodgers since he became Commissioner." McCourt has "split pieces of the Dodgers into smaller parts so he could maximize their value through loans, including the parking lots" outside Dodger Stadium. A commissioner "with conviction would have demanded McCourt make it an all-inclusive sale" (Long Beach PRESS-TELEGRAM, 3/2).
