With the exclusive-bargaining window closed for its current media partners, Major League Baseball is reportedly fielding an offer from NBC Sports to join the broadcasting fold. Right now there are three MLB broadcast partners: Fox, paying $257.1 million for Saturday, All-Star and World Series games; ESPN, paying $306 million for Sunday night games; and Turner, […]
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Time Warner mulling stake in Dodgers?
Time Warner is reportedly looking at investing in the Los Angeles Dodgers to gain a competitive advantage in landing the team’s television rights. Dow Jones is reporting that the move would be made to nullify a small advantage Fox Sports has in retaining the team’s television rights: Fox’s current deal with the team gives it […]
Moores puts San Diego Padres back on the market
Following Jeff Moorad’s failed attempt to buy the team, San Diego Padres owner John Moores has hired investment bankers to advise him on another sale of the franchise. Unless something goes dramatically wrong with the sale this time, the delay will end up paying off for Moores: the team is undoubtedly worth more after a […]
Dodgers sale expected to be approved Friday
Absent any major opposition from MLB and Fox Sports — save some minor requests for clarification — the sale of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Dodger Stadium should be approved on Friday. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Kevin Gross is scheduled to review the final disposition of the sale of the team, the ballpark and associated assets […]
Moorad withdraws application to buy Padres
Faced with reported opposition from other MLB owners, Jeff Moorad has withdrawn his application to buy the San Diego Padres — a move that could prove to be merely temporary. The issue, as reported in a Padres press release, was a desire by the team to expedite the finalizing of the team’s new broadcast deal […]
Jamie to Frank: The Dodgers are yours
Perhaps sensing this is the best way to get some cash out of her divorce to Frank McCourt, Jamie McCourt has agreed to let him keep the Los Angeles Dodgers and Dodger Stadium as part of a settlement and will support his effort to sell the team’s media rights. The McCourts have been embroiled in […]
McCourts reach tentative divorce agreement, allowing Frank to keep Dodgers — maybe
Frank and Jamie McCourt reached a tentative divorce agreement that would potentially allow Frank to retain control of the Los Angeles Dodgers, but with one huge condition: in order to fund a settlement, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig must approve a controversial long-term sale of TV broadcast rights to Fox Sports. The settlement, announced this morning, […]
Gloves are off for McCourt: Selig has no right in seizing Dodgers
Frank McCourt came out swinging today in the ongoing Los Angeles Dodgers ownership drama, saying at a New York City press conference that MLB had no business rejecting a lucrative naming-rights deal with Fox and appointing Tom Schieffer to monitor the team’s operations. McCourt met today with Major League Baseball officials and presented them with […]
McCourt response to Selig: Strong words, no lawsuit
So far the only response from Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt to the takeover of his team by MLB has been some strong words coming from a subordinate — but no lawsuit yet, despite some reporting to the contrary by iffy media outlets. New Dodgers hire Steve Soboroff, a Los Angeles political insider installed […]
Selig seizes Dodgers from McCourt
Distressed over the deteriorating financial condition of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Commissioner Bud Selig has seized control of the flagship MLB franchise and will appoint a trustee to oversee “all business and day-to-day operations” of the ballclub. The surprise move came after a questionable $30 million personal loan to Dodgers owner Frank McCourt from Fox […]
Selig shoots down Fox loan to Dodgers
Seeking working capital, Frank McCourt negotiated a $200-million loan from Fox Sports, using the Los Angeles Dodgers’ broadcast deal as collateral — a risky deal that was ultimately shot down by Commissioner Bud Selig. More money woes from the MLB world. The deal was simple: Fox would lend the Dodgers $200 million. If the loan […]