If the McCourts are forced to sell Dodgers, could Dennis Gilbert be the team's next owner?

If the McCourts' divorce forces them to sell the team, what then?

There's no guarantee a new owner will be an upgrade, though you gotta like the odds.

Eli Broad? Seems a little late in the game for him. Ron Burkle? Seems a little distracted. Peter O’Malley? Seems that ship has passed.

But here's another name floated by ESPN.com's Buster Olney on his insider's report -- Dennis Gilbert.

Olney writes there is speculation that Gilbert -- the former player agent and current adviser to the White Sox -- is the person most perfectly situated to purchase the Dodgers.

Olney notes that Gilbert lives in the Los Angeles area, is well known by commissioner Bud Selig, and essentially finished second last year in the bidding for the Texas Rangers "largely because Nolan Ryan chose to align himself with Chuck Greenberg."

He adds this telling, though hardly surprising, note:

"Gilbert knows a whole lot of people, big hitters in the money world, and if the Dodgers' franchise needs rescuing -- and in the sport right now, the team's ownership troubles are regarded as a cover-your-eyes embarrassment -- Gilbert will have the financial wherewithal to restore the club to its past greatness."

Regarded as cover-your-eyes embarrassment. Yeah, I'm liking the odds.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Comments

[west coast ram]

The owner of the team needs to be someone that has their own money, not someone that has sucked 10% off someone else talents.

[Tony B]

Come on judge, make it happen. The McCourts are a joke.

[These Dodgers Suck!]

dodger fans can relax - Frank has a new revenue stream, starting tomorrow ...

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/home_blog/2010/07/la-flea-market-dodger-stadium.html

[Andrew Ablong]

ANYBODY but the McCourts would suit me just fine. Honestly, I would rather have News Corp. back as the owner, at least they weren't spending all of their money on a divorce. The McCourts are a shameful excuse for an owner, and I SINCERELY hope that they sell this team, ASAP. The Dodgers are a very prestigious and high-class team, and they certainly deserve a better owner than the low-life McCourts.

[Rob]

Mark Cuban

[needsomechange]

sounds like absolutely GREAT news, as anyone will be better than the 2mc"cheaps" who BOTH are an absolute JOKE, & sooner BOTH are LONNNNNNNNNG GONE, the better!!!
GOOD RIDDANCE!!!!
hope change happens yesterday!!!!

[Sandy Adams]

Knowing Dennis well for decades, there is no one in such a position of financial solvency and knowledge to take over the reins of the Dodgers. As for sucking 10% from someone else's talents, what do you think just about every working stiff does when he or she takes a paycheck from someone ELSE who was smart enough to manage or own their own business? In the end, many of these so-called talented people are either so badly behaved due to their conceit or not smart enough due to NOT finishing their schooling - and would never get where the go without the help of a straight up agent - not talking about the users and abusers - but I know Dennis personally not to be one of those.

[Ashlee Gilbert]

Dennis Gilbert (my father) is the smartest man I know. Anyone who says that he wouldn't be perfect for the job doesn't want a winning franchise. As a HUGE baseball fan myself I know if my father is given this opportunity he would not only restore the club but I'm confident he's take it to the next level... WORLD SERIES anyone?

[Stan]

Ashlee Gilbert. Another wannabe Jeanie Buss. I worked many years for a company that had solvency but the company didn't have the means itself to purchase a big time operation. I suppose Dennis Gilbert is a nice guy but let's be specific on his worth and how many loans he might possibly have to float.

[whitney]

I'd vote for anyone who could get the next Koufax/Drysdale boys or teach that big reliever a new pitch and combination to end games.

[Jordy]

I know Dennis personally. There is no finer candidate for team owner of the Dodgers or any other MLB team. A former player, he has remained deeply involved in the game (and attends most home games). He built a powerhouse sports agency and insurance brokerage company with his unique blend of business acumen and extraordinary people skills. After years of corporate exploitation and the ongoing McCourt circus, we need someone with Dennis' love of the game and business skills to bring the Dodgers to the next level.

[AZ Esq.]

DODGERS NEED A NEW OWNER NOW! The team is struggling and desperately needs to make some changes. It is apparent that while the McCourts fight in court, the Dodgers won't make any moves.

It is estimated that the McCourts will spend approximately $19 million each in legal fees before their battle is over.

That money could have landed Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee on our squad this season. We would win have won it all. Hands down.

Dennis Gilbert has a lifetime of achievements in both baseball and business.
He lives in LA and is at every game. No better owner than a guy who is former player, super agent and professional scout.

As a dodger fan the only possible reason to even question anything is because he used to rep Bonds.

I hope Gilbert makes it happen real soon and returns the Dodgers to the promise land.

[SFV TIGERS]

Hey Stan,
DON'T BE JEALOUS THAT YOUR DAD CAN'T BUY A BASEBALL TEAM! WHO WOULDN'T WANT TO BE "ANOTHER JEANIE BUSS". EXCEPT I DON'T THINK ASHLEY WILL BE DATING JOE TORRE. OH AND GET A CLUE BUDDY, YOU THINK ONE GUY COMES IN WITH ALL THE CASH TO BUY A TEAM. READ UP ON HOW MCCOURT GOT THE TEAM.

THERE IS ONLY ONE GOOD CANDIDATE FOR THE NEW OWNER OF THE LOS ANGELES DODGERS AND MARK CUBAN IS NOT THE MAN FOR THE JOB, JUST WHAT WE NEED A GUY RUNNING AROUND OPENING HIS MOUTH GETTING FINED LEFT AND RIGHT. THAT GUY KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT BASEBALL.

GILBERT HAS ALL THE QUALIFICATIONS YOU COULD WANT FOR THE NEXT OWNER OF THE GREAT DODGERS ORGANIZATION. HE'S A GREAT BUSSIESS MAN A LEADER AND HE IS ALREADY AT EVERY HOME GAME(A REAL FAN) . HE IS A BASEBALL GUY THROUGH AND THROUGH. THE DODGERS NEEDS GILBERT MORE THEN GILBERT NEEDS THE DODGERS. HE HAS A GREAT FAMILY AS WELL, SO WE WONT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT HIM RUNNING IN TO THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE MCCOURT'S. GOOD LUCK TO YOU DENNIS HOPE YOU CAN BE THE ONE TO SAVE THE DODGERS. THEN MAYBE YOU CAN RUN FOR GOVERNOR AND SAVE CALIFORNIA WHILE YOUR AT IT.

[Nerissa Nadia]

I work with Dennis Gilbert, and who's to tell if he plans on buying the Dodgers - at this point, the team's not even for sale. All I can say is that Dennis Gilbert knows baseball and Dennis Gilbert loves baseball. He is a generous man who loves the city of Los Angeles, has a lovely angel of a wife and a true heart of gold. Being a native of LA myself, I personally wish its teams and residents only the best. Enough Hollywood drama, it's time the city got back to its true soul and the core of what's real.