MLB yesterday announced it will take over the business and day-to-day operations of the Dodgers, stripping owner Frank McCourt of financial control of the team and representing by far the league's boldest step to date addressing an ugly divorce and debt-fueled saga with the club that has extended for nearly two years. MLB intends to appoint a designated day-to-day representative for the club in the next few days and continue its investigation of the finances of the Dodgers and McCourt.
MLB sees its takeover of the Dodgers as far larger than its prior, more distant oversight of the Rangers during their financial woes under former owner Tom Hicks that included a bankruptcy filing. And unlike prior MLB involvements in Texas, Montreal, or even its participation in the A's ballpark pursuit, the Dodgers move involves one of the sport's marquee franchises and a highly prominent global brand.
Among MLB Commissioner Bud Selig's future options is to use his broad best-interests-of-baseball powers to force McCourt to sell. But any such move, or any franchise sale voluntary or otherwise, is likely at least months away. More immediately, the takeover is designed to return some normalcy to the club and "stop the bleeding," said a league source. Possible candidates to fill the club representative role, industry execs said, include MLB Exec VP/Administration and CIO John McHale Jr. and former Nationals President Stan Kasten.
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