The new owners of the Los Angeles Dodgers took control of the franchise and Dodger Stadium today, ending Frank McCourt’s tumultuous term as owner of the flagship franchise.
The sale became final today after Guggenheim Baseball wired a final payment to McCourt. A press conference is expected tomorrow, with Magic Johnson and Stan Kasten serving as the public face of new owner Guggenheim Baseball.
At the end of the day. McCourt did OK for himself, walking away from the Dodgers wreckage and a failed marriage with hundreds of millions in profits and a portion of the land surrounding Dodger Stadium in Chavez Ravine. The $2.15 billion paid for the Major League Baseball franchise and associated assets is the most for a sporting team in the United States.
You can expect new president Kasten to make some changes in the offseason; it’s pretty customary for a new ownership group to make their mark. Ned Colletti is still the GM and may be secure in the job if the Dodgers continue to lead the National League West after a miserable 2011.
The Dodgers’ first home game under new ownership is set for May 7 — with the San Francisco Giants in town.
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