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Bankruptcy court denies Dodgers document request — for now

Los Angeles DodgersDelaware bankruptcy Judge Kevin Gross denied a request by Los Angeles Dodgers attorneys to have Major League Baseball produce a wide-ranging set of documents designed to show Bud Selig treated Frank McCourt differently than other MLB owners.

Not a complete surprise. The Los Angeles Dodgers are seeing bankruptcy protection and have arranged $150 million in Debtor-in-Possession (DIP) financing from a JP Morgan hedge fund under some pretty onerous terms — 10+% interest, etc. Major League Baseball, ostensibly to preserve the value of the franchise and to prevent McCourt from taking any more money out of it and Dodger Stadium, is contesting the arrangement, saying it will lend the Dodgers DIP financing at a much lower interest rate with more liberal repayment terms,

The fishing expedition for documents was designed to provide some proof that MLB is plotting to take away the Dodgers from McCourt and using his divorce to Jamie McCourt as a vehicle. Gross was unimpressed with the argument and denied the request, ruling what Selig does with other owners was too broad a topic under the circumstances.

The court battle will continue.

RELATED STORIES: Dodgers: Selig was unfair toward us; McCourt files for bankruptcy on Dodgers, Dodger Stadium; Selig: No to proposed Fox/Dodgers TV deal; McCourts reach tentative divorce agreement, allowing Frank to keep Dodgers — maybe; Could McCourt lose Dodgers and keep Dodger Stadium?; Gloves are off for McCourt: Selig has no right seizing Dodgers; Schieffer new Dodgers monitor; McCourt response to Selig: strong words, no lawsuit; Selig seizes Dodgers from McCourt; Stow still in critical condition; No arrests at Dodger Stadium with new security system in place; Dodgers scrap half-price drink promotion; All quiet at AT&T Park last night; Security tight for tonight at AT&T Park Dodgers-Giants tilt; Dodgers up security; will it be enough?; Giants fan severely beaten in Dodger Stadium parking lot; suspects sought; Selig shoots down Fox loan to Dodgers; Messy McCourt divorce takes another turn

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