The Los Angeles Dodgers have been a proud franchise in the National League since 1890 when they started play as the Brooklyn Bridegrooms. With its stadium that typically draws more fans than any other team and a rich history of winning; the Dodgers are indeed one of the elite franchises in Major League Baseball.
However, this past season and a half has seen remarkable upheaval at Dodgertown, with the contentious divorce proceedings of owner Frank McCourt and his wife Jamie, the San Francisco Giants fan who was nearly beaten to death in a Dodger Stadium parking lot on Opening Day 2011, and the ongoing bankruptcy proceedings for McCourt. All of this has led to a dramatic drop in attendance, and according to the Los Angeles Times, Dodger Stadium is likely to sell less than three million tickets for the first time since 1992.
So, what, or who, can bail out the Los Angeles Dodgers from their current dire situation? Here is a list of five potential suitors.
This is a guest post submitted by Jeff Herbst. Jeff has had a passion for sports ever since he could first walk and enjoys writing in his spare time. He works with Phoenix Bats, a company that creates wood bats such as their world-class maple baseball bats for amateur and professional ball players around the world
1. Mark Cuban
When the Texas Rangers were put up for sale, current Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban made an unsuccessful bid to purchase the team, with a group headed by former pitcher Nolan Ryan entering the winning bid for the franchise.
While Cuban, who has a net worth of over $2.5 billion, has said that he would have an interest in purchasing the Dodgers, he is also afraid that the team is in such financial array that it may not feasible for him to enter into the bidding.
2. Magic Johnson
In October of last year, former Los Angeles Lakers great Earvin “Magic” Johnson sold his remaining interest in the Lakers, and then announced two months later that he was joining forces with AEG to attempt to bring an NFL franchise back to Los Angeles.
Johnson has clearly proven to be a shrewd businessman, turning his Magic Johnson Enterprises into a machine, with a net worth of $700 million.
While Johnson may not have enough of his own cash to pony up for the purchase of the Dodgers, his incredible cache would certainly be a draw for several local millionaire/billionaire friends who could join Johnson in this venture.
As the public face of the Dodgers franchise, Magic could certainly bring Showtime back to LA.
3. Steve Garvey/Ron Burkle
When MLB commissioner Bud Selig seized control of the Los Angeles Dodgers in mid-April, former Dodgers’ first baseman Steve Garvey announced the following week that he was interested in purchasing the Dodgers, and that Pittsburgh Penguins owner Ron Burkle would assist in financing the effort.
This partnership may be a long shot more than any other. Garvey has had a documented history of personal financial mismanagement, and while Burkle is the part-owner of the Penguins along with former Pens’ star Mario Lemieux, he may just want to put together a bid for the Dodgers without Garvey, who has zero experience in successfully running and managing a multi-million dollar business.
4. Alec Gores
Billionaire buyout guru Alec Gores, whose brother Tom recently purchased the NBA’s Detroit Pistons, was reported to have said in January that he would be preparing a bid to purchase Los Angeles Dodgers.
Gores, who makes a living with leveraged buyouts, certainly isn’t wanting for cash—reportedly worth $1.7 billion in the latest Forbes 400 Rich List.
Gores, who resides in Beverly Hills, would certainly have a cash flow that would stabilize the Dodgers’ franchise, something Frank McCourt has been unable to do during his entire ownership tenure.
5. Philip Anschutz
The name of Philip Anschutz has frequently appeared in discussions surrounding future ownership of the Los Angeles Dodgers. And why not? Anschutz already has a stake in ownership of two LA-based franchises (NBA’s Lakers and NHL’s Kings) and has been active in trying to bring an NFL franchise back to the Los Angeles area.
At a net worth of $7.5 billion, Anschutz, who resides part-time in the LA area, would bring of wealth of experience to the helm of the Dodgers. Anschutz was instrumental in the founding of Major League Soccer and has invested in both the Staples Center and the Home Depot Center.
Who do you think should own the LA Dodgers?
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