Where is the Team Ownership Headed? A Few Scenarios That Could Happen...

There are so many different directions the Dodger franchise can go with the ownership situation up in the air.  As I let my imagination wander on the topic, I present a few scenarios that I think may play out.  In all of them, I believe it is safe to say that Frank McCourt will remain as one of the most loathed men in Los Angeles.

Options:

(1)

Frank McCourt keeps the team and meets his financial obligations as MLB approves the Fox television deal and Dodgers are locked into a TV contract until 2028.  It’s a $3 billion deal which comes out to an average of $176 million per year.  Most likely much of it must be divided up with ex-wife Jamie who will continue to claim co-ownership and battle to return to a co-owner capacity with the club.  Jamie, may seek a buyout and request a large chunk of the TV money to agree to go away.  Knowing the McCourts and their litigious nature, she’ll ask for $150 billion of the TV revenues in an effort to go away.  They will haggle over those funds for years, which will be the excuse used by Frank to not land a big name free agent.  The Fox deal, which seems to be impressive at the outset, hampers the club in later years as the economic climate changes.  Unhappy Dodger fans do not return to the Stadium.

(2)

Frank McCourt is forced to sell the team by MLB and he retains Dodger Stadium and the parking lots as his property, leasing out the stadium to the new owners for use.  He’ll bring in parking revenue and millions from leasing the stadium.  More and more Dodger fans will park outside the parking lot in protest of giving one penny to Frank McCourt.  Parking fees raise to $25/car by 2015. 

(3)

Frank McCourt is told by MLB that he must sell because of his inability to make payroll and pay for the day to day operations of the team.  MLB steps in and pays salaries and ponies up to keep the team afloat financially.  McCourt files suit against MLB for refusing to approve the Fox TV deal and the Dodger ownership remains in limbo for a few years while the courts determine ownership rights.  When MLB prevails in court, McCourt appeals and an additional year delay occurs.  Meanwhile, the core of Kemp, Ethier, Billingsley, Loney, Broxton, Kuo and Kershaw have left to more stable organizations and the Dodgers dwell at the bottom of the standings.  Attendance plumments and Brooklynites clamor for a return of the Dodgers to their original home.  L.A. Dodger fans are by now fed up and prepared to lose the team without a whimper of protest.  Interestingly, San Francisco Giants ownership doesn’t step in the way of a Dodger move back east as Peter O’Malley did in 1993 when the Giants were planning to move to St. Petersburg, FL.

Kemp, Loney and Ethier.  Three of the Dodger Core that may seek a more stable organization.

(4)

Frank McCourt sells the team and retains ownership of Dodger Stadium and the parking lots as his property.  The new owner decides that he doesn’t want to deal with McCourt and decides to build his own downtown stadium, possibly near Staples center and the Dodgers have a new state of the art facility while Frank panics and attempts to lure Arte Moreno out of Anaheim to lease Dodger Stadium for the Angels.  Moreno doesn’t bite at the offer.  McCourt ends up using Dodger Stadium to host Monster Truck Rallies, Motocross events,  Rock n’ Roll Stadium shows and uses the parking lot each weekend for Mega Southland Swap Meets.   

Will Dodger Stadium Become a Permanent Site for Monster Truck Rallies and Motocross Events?