Nightmare Scenario in LA?

Mark Cuban shows some interest as a speculative suitor for a Dodger team that seems increasingly likely to be sold.

"Frank McCourt contends he is the sole owner of the Dodgers and insists the team is not for sale. Jamie McCourt contends she is a co-owner, and her lawyer has said she has lined up financing for a possible bid to buy out her estranged husband.

Cuban bid unsuccessfully to buy the Chicago Cubs and has expressed interest in buying his hometown Pittsburgh Pirates. He said his interest in the Dodgers would be conditional on the ability to buy a controlling share as part of an ownership group.

"I’m not a fan of debt-driven acquisitions," Cuban wrote. "If a unique situation came up where I could contribute capital to buy out a majority shareholder and gain control, with existing shareholders or note holders staying in place, I would consider it."'

4 months ago Bhaakon 27 comments 0 recs |

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selig would never let it happen and i don’t think mccourt will let the dodgers go very easily

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
"AT LAST I AM A PARENTS." - Buster

by jponry on Nov 9, 2009 11:56 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Agreed. Selig wouldn’t allow it. There was a reason why Cuban wasn’t allowed to buy the Cubs. He had the money but was enemies with Jerry Reinsdorf (owner of the White Sox and Bulls) and Reinsdorf is close friends with Selig.

"All I know is right now, you comeback and do you dwell on that? I think you're man enough to take it, you're man enough to chew on it, to spit it out and you learn from it. ... I think winners let it go. I think losers dwell on it and talk about it all week and that screws you up for the next opportunity going forward." - Mike Singletary after the 49ers loss to the Vikings

by SFGuy on Nov 10, 2009 12:03 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

There was a reason why Cuban wasn’t allowed to buy the Cubs.

Could that reason be the North side of Chicago short drive from Milwaukee? An owner like Cuban in Selig’s back yard would force the Selig family to up what the put into their team just to keep what they have. This is the same Selig that wanted to contract the Twins a few years back conveniently leaving the neighboring market empty.

Who’s brain did you bring me?
Brain SabeanOranother.

by daveinexile on Nov 10, 2009 8:21 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I think contracting the Twins was mainly Pohland’s idea. It would’ve been a payday for him.

"Why not trade Bumgarner for some banger stud?" - sfgiants.com commenter or online porn ad? You be the judge!
Adopted Giant: the probably soon to be ditched but still awesome Fred Lewis

by jcb9 on Nov 10, 2009 3:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That's what I heard.

That Pohlad volunteered for contraction because MLB was offering a huge payday and his heirs weren’t all that interested in the team at the time.

VAE PVTO DEVS FIO

by Bhaakon on Nov 10, 2009 4:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Intresting. Learn something new every day.

Who’s brain did you bring me?
Brain SabeanOranother.

by daveinexile on Nov 10, 2009 6:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The McCourt's don't want to sell, but they may not have a choice.

From what I’ve read, their original purchase was heavily leveraged, and neither is likely to have the resources to keep it by themselves. Part of the reason they’re both fighting so hard for the team is because it (and the land around the stadium) may represent more than half of the couples’ assets after factoring in debts.

VAE PVTO DEVS FIO

by Bhaakon on Nov 10, 2009 12:09 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Are you implying that it would be a nightmare for us or a nightmare for them?

YOU EAT YOUR DAMN EGGROLL

by heimy25 on Nov 10, 2009 12:05 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Yes

Chris Dominguez: Bringing dingerz back to The Bay (In a while)
SCIENCE

by CB30 on Nov 10, 2009 12:26 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

For us

Cuban is a great owner in that he’s only interested in winning.

Juan Carlos Perez, please start hitting.

by marcello on Nov 10, 2009 10:21 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

But a crappy owner in that he is also interested in being in the spotlight both during the games and whilst running off at the mouth.

Utter frustration and futility.

by Johnny Disaster on Nov 10, 2009 10:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t see the downside with an owner who wants to be the center of attention, because the ones who do tend to really, really care about winning. I’d put up with your minor annoyance (not mine, though, I don’t really care) as long as it gets my team more W’s.

Now if he just wanted to be the center of attention without giving a crap about winning, like, say, Charlie Finley, then there’s a problem. But I don’t see Cuban doing that any time soon.

VAE PVTO DEVS FIO

by Bhaakon on Nov 10, 2009 10:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t see the downside with an owner who wants to be the center of attention, because the ones who do tend to really, really care about winning.

Marge Schott comes to mind. The Reds did win a World Series under her ownership, though.

"Why not trade Bumgarner for some banger stud?" - sfgiants.com commenter or online porn ad? You be the judge!
Adopted Giant: the probably soon to be ditched but still awesome Fred Lewis

by jcb9 on Nov 11, 2009 9:39 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, the commitment to winning would be nice… however I can’t stand that guy. The high profile, courtside antics, fanboy/owner act has worn thin on me. I’m pretty sure a World Series championship would soften my feelings toward him though…
Going back to Marcello’s statement, I wouldn’t call him great, and I don’t think that winning is the only thing he cares about. Instead I would say that Cuban has definite strengths as owner, mainly that he is actually interested in winning (which I have come to doubt about the current Giants ownership group). Otherwise, he is a bit of a jackass.

Utter frustration and futility.

by Johnny Disaster on Nov 11, 2009 9:40 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Basketball, this is a distraction, baseball, not so much. As long as he leaves the decision making to someone else

say hey nation is the Ralph Nader of McC.-Xanthan

by say hey nation on Nov 11, 2009 7:12 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

As long as he leaves the decision making to someone else

I doubt that would be the case… he is convinced he is the smartest guy in any room he walks into.

Utter frustration and futility.

by Johnny Disaster on Nov 11, 2009 9:22 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Who cares

Matt Cain: throwing complete game shutouts since 06'. No big deal.

by cain1rstballothof on Nov 10, 2009 12:34 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Said Oriole fans when Stienbrenner bought the Yankees.

VAE PVTO DEVS FIO

by Bhaakon on Nov 10, 2009 12:43 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

We can’t be both the Rex Sox AND the Orioles!

Brian Sabean strongly encourages you to disregard the drudgery of your employment responsibilities and join him in the consumption of spirituous libations.

by satyricrash on Nov 10, 2009 8:36 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

No, we can't.

The Rockies are the Sox, at least right now. .

VAE PVTO DEVS FIO

by Bhaakon on Nov 10, 2009 2:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I would love if Cuban got to own a baseball team. Guaranteed he would make the fan experience a lot better for the home stadium. Kinda like the changes Arte Moreno made after taking the reins from Disney.

by Hobbes2d on Nov 10, 2009 12:56 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I would love it if he got the Pirates, an original NL team that has been chained to bad ownership and front office for decades. An owner like him would be exactly what that franchise could use.

Conversely I hate the idea of him owning the largest market team in our division. It would be brutal to any post season hopes we have.

Who’s brain did you bring me?
Brain SabeanOranother.

by daveinexile on Nov 10, 2009 8:15 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m not sure that he would be a good MLB owner…at first. But I also don’t want to find out he is a awesome MLB owner with him running the Dodgers

say hey nation is the Ralph Nader of McC.-Xanthan

by say hey nation on Nov 10, 2009 8:17 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I think he would be. Even in the sport he loves he does seem to listen to his basketball people. The man is not content with half arse efforts while having deep pockets. Sounds like all ingredients needed to be a very good owner to me.

Who’s brain did you bring me?
Brain SabeanOranother.

by daveinexile on Nov 10, 2009 8:25 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I think he could be a “Silent” Streinbener, which is a lethal combo when no salary cap exists. I just think it would be 5 or 6 years before that happens.

Plus, I think a active owner is what we need in baseball.

say hey nation is the Ralph Nader of McC.-Xanthan

by say hey nation on Nov 10, 2009 8:30 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, I can agree with that. Given in baseball it takes 3-5 years to turn an entire franchise arround ( depending just how run down it’s talent level is) it might even take closer to 10 years. I like your "Silent" Streinbener tag.

Who’s brain did you bring me?
Brain SabeanOranother.

by daveinexile on Nov 10, 2009 8:48 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs