Groundskeepers at Dodger Stadium cover part of the infield several hours before the Los Angeles Dodgers’ game against the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday, April 20, 2011, in Los Angeles. Major League Baseball is assuming control of the Dodgers, a team increasingly paralyzed by its owners’ bitter divorce. Once among baseball’s glamour franchises, the Dodgers have been consumed by infighting since Jamie McCourt filed for divorce from her husband, Frank McCourt, after 30 years of marriage in October 2009. (AP Photos/Nick Ut)By Ronald Blum, The Associated Press
NEW YORK – Major League Baseball is taking the extraordinary and historic step of assuming control of the Los Angeles Dodgers, a team increasingly paralyzed by its owners’ bitter divorce.
Once among baseball’s glamour franchises, the Dodgers have been consumed by infighting since Jamie McCourt filed for divorce after 30 years of marriage in October 2009, one week after her husband fired her as the team’s chief executive. Frank McCourt accused Jamie of having an affair with her bodyguard-driver and performing poorly at work.
Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig told Frank McCourt he will appoint a trustee to oversee all aspects of the business and the day-to-day operations of the club. Frank McCourt, however, has retained Sullivan & Cromwell and was preparing to sue MLB, a baseball executive familiar with the situation told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because McCourt had not made any statements.
“I have taken this action because of my deep concerns regarding the finances and operations of the Dodgers and to protect the best interests of the club,” Selig said Wednesday in a statement.