Bud Selig Nixes Dodgers Owners' Divorce Pact, Says TV Money Can't Be Used to Pay Couple's Lawyers
Following earlier word that the battling owners of the Los Angeles Dodgers had achieved a settlement of their contentious divorce comes news that Major League Baseball’s commissioner has, in effect, nixed it.
By voiding a television deal on which the divorce pact was predicated, Commissioner Bud Selig put Frank and Jamie McCourt in a position where, with their financing stretched thin, they have little choice but to surrender ownership of the team or sue, reports the Los Angeles Times.
The television contract between the Dodgers and Fox Sports would have provided nearly half of the upfront of $385 million to the McCourts and their lawyers. But Selig said money from the TV deal had to be used for the good of the team.
If Frank McCourt files for bankruptcy or fails to meet the team’s June 30 payroll, Selig could seize control of the team, the newspaper says.
Earlier coverage:
Baseball Commissioner Mulls Possible Use of Contractual Powers to Force Dodgers Sale
Meet J. Thomas Schieffer, Akin Gump Attorney to Serve as Manager of Los Angeles Dodgers
