Magic Johnson-led group is picked as Dodgers' next owner

[ellisonz]

The group, headed by the Lakers legend known for community involvement, agrees to pay a $2 billion for the team. The sale, if approved, would end a contentious McCourt era for the storied team.
By Bill Shaikin

March 27, 2012, 9:47 p.m.
A group led by Magic Johnson, the Lakers legend whose championship lineage and community involvement have made him one of the most beloved sports figures in Los Angeles history, was selected Tuesday as the next owner of the Dodgers.

The Dodgers announced the winning bid was for $2 billion, a record price for a sports franchise if the sale is approved. In addition, owner Frank McCourt and "certain affiliates of the purchasers" would buy the land surrounding Dodger Stadium for $150 million.

"I am thrilled to be part of the historic Dodger franchise and intend to build on the fantastic foundation laid by Frank McCourt as we drive the Dodgers back to the front page of the sports section in our wonderful community of Los Angeles," Johnson said in a statement.

The decision all but caps three years of turmoil surrounding the storied team, during which the Dodgers descended into mediocrity as Frank McCourt spent more than $25 million in a futile fight to retain ownership.

More: http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-0329-dodgers-magic-20120329,0,5012740.story?page=1

NOOOOOO!!!! Fucking Frank McCourt stays - asshole mothereffing damn.

[Indianademocrat91]

1. Blew..

I wish I could run a profitable sports team into the ground filing bankruptcy and then sell it for 2 billion....ahh corporate America!

[ellisonz]

2. I know the secret...

Vladimir Shpunt - hire him and you'll be a rich, single man!

[chelsea0011]

3. Story makes it seem that Johnson is the principle owner?

So he will be calling the shots? Is this correct? The story all refers to him as a community organizer. This won't make the RW crowd happy.

[n2doc]

7. He's the frontman

He isn't the big money guy(s) or the baseball operations guy. He did apparently organize the group, so that's something. But he won't be like, say, George Steinbrenner or Mark Cuban.

[n2doc]

4. 1 billion more than the cubs?

Talk about overpaying. Going to be interesting to see if they can make money on this, I guess it all comes down to TV deals since no way will people pay that much more in ticket prices.

What would the Yankees be worth???

[joeybee12]

6. Yeah, that sticks out...

It's not like the Dodgers have been doing well lately, too...yeah they made the palyoffs Manroid's first season, but hasn't it been about 20 years since they won it all?

[n2doc]

8. And Frank the cheat ended up losing ~500 mil during his time

But they have been in the playoffs recently, and close to getting to the WS, so they aren't say, the Mariners or Royals....

[Upton]

5. Obviously, I dislike the hated Dodgers..

but having them as a wounded franchise isn't good for MLB, the NL West, or the Giants/Dodgers rivalry. I'm glad this McCourt BS is finally coming to an end.

I've never like Magic anyway, so this works out well for me in terms of rooting interest..

[n2doc]

10. I dunno

As a lifelong Giants fan I've found the last few years quite amusing. I would be more than happy if they continue to flounder in the field. I do want them to fix their security situation, though.

[TZ]

9. I suspect ex-Nat executive Stan Kasten will run the baseball operations

BTW he's an asshole, who is NOT missed here in DC. I saw about 20 tweets last night today asking if Kasten will be selling large blocks of tickets, inviting SF fans down to Dodger stadium as he's notorious for doing that with Philadelphia fans.
Good luck with this idiot. He ran DC during its VERY dysfunctional years.

[madinmaryland]

11. I don't think he will have to invite SF fans to Dodger stadium.

The Dodgers have always drawn 3-4 million a year.

For a while, the Natinals were like the Pirates in drawing fans. They should be doing a hell of a lot better than the pirates as they have a lot larger area to draw from. Maybe a team that can stay at 500 or above will start drawing.

Not so in Pittsburgh.