Organize the rallies, kiss the babies, beat the drums -- Magic Johnson for Dodgers owner [Updated]

How do you start a campaign? As Jamie McCourt could tell you, it ain’t so easy.

This, though, is different. No campaign funds required. No cheesy TV ads needed. Could even be devoid of partisanship.

Magic Johnson for Dodgers owner!

OK, might require a catchier slogan. "Put the Magic back in the Dodgers," or maybe "To be Frank, Magic would do a better job."

Of course, there are times when it seems two rocks and a bat donut could do a better job.

Perhaps you heard, but Magic is suddenly flush with cash. Like more than $100 million, which is approximately $100 million more than Frank and Jamie McCourt used to purchase the team in 2004.

Magic just sold his 4.5% interest in the Lakers and 105 Starbucks. A source told The Times’ Brad Turner that Magic was not necessarily looking to purchase an NBA franchise, but was positioning himself to purchase something ``in sports.’’

Like a baseball team? One Los Angeles sporting icon buying another? Positively dreamy.

The initial problem here is, regrettably, that the Dodgers are not for sale. Not yet, anyway. And very possibly they won’t be, but should the judge who is mulling over whether to declare the divorcing McCourts co-owners decide to go the Solomon route, all bets are off.

Now I am talking the Lakers’ retired No.32 buying the team, and not the Dodgers’ retired No.32, Sandy Koufax. So maybe you think Magic doesn’t know baseball.

But he does know winning. He didn’t know diddly about coffee or development or movie theaters or hamburger joints or urban funds either. How’d that turn out?

He knows how to organize, educate, delegate and inspire. Sounds like a breath of fresh air to me.

Magic not only has cash, he has stinking wealthy friends. If it takes $800 million or a billion, he could get it done.

Magic loves a challenge, and right now, the Dodgers are the Mt. Everest of L.A. sporting challenges. Check that; guess that would still be the Clippers.

Whether they recognize it or not, the McCourts have a miserable image problem that hiring their 27th public relations guru is not going to vanquish.

They could sell, split the proceeds, take their millions in equity and run. Go buy another villa or private plane. Just go.

And with Magic, the Dodgers would gain instant prestige and needed credibility. Somebody get this campaign rolling.

[Updated at 5:45 p.m.] Ah, now Magic tells The Times' Broderick Turner -- guess he gave up on Brad Turner -- he doesn't want to buy the Dodgers but would be interested in bringing an NFL team back to Los Angeles.

That's OK, the campaign is early. First job: win over Magic.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Comments

[Labeldude]

Don't see much of a point to comment. Frank's not selling, he litigating and will continue to litigate the franchise into oblivion (or at least until the cable TV money starts coming in, assuming he hasn't already borrowed against it) - there's never a shortage of lawyers who'll do his bidding now for a piece of the pie down the road. Even if his creditors try and force a sale it'll be in litigation for years. Nothing short of an Act of God will make this clown sell.

[The Infamous El Guapo]

An idea so crazy, so insane, so far fetched it almost..NAY!! It does make sense!!!!

[N.P.Krohn]

Magic has been succesful in most of his endeavors off the court because people love him, myself included, and because Fatburger makes a really good burger. His one draw back is an oversized ego that comes with any intense supreme competitor. I don't think he could keep his hands off when it comes to a sports franchise. Too much spotlight not to make his mark. Remember how he just had to join what was the best team in the NBA at the end of the year and turned them into a moribound low post clunker. Still bitter that Ceballos got moved to the bench costing him and Del Harris a wring they both would have got in dramatic fashion in a revenge match against a bulls team with Jordan in his prime. Instead we just see replays of Jordan pushing off Bryon Russell making the shot at the buzzer over and over and over...

[Isiah]

Magic?
.
Would his owning the Dodgers be more successful than his miserable stints as...
.
a TV show host?
.
his on again off again retirement(s) as a Laker?
.
coach of the Lakers?
.
his multiple statements to run for political office?
.
How did those turn out?

[68elcamino427]

Gradually, over time, fewer and fewer people will be attracted to the Dodgers,
as long as a McCourt is involved with the team.

[bif]

Wow what a bunch sorry, sad folks some of you are. If he got the right ownership group together why not?

We know he cares about the city of LA unlike those morons from Boston.

I say do it Magic!

[Zen]

To those that assert, "He won't sell!":

May I present for your consideration the odd, but potentially pertinent case of Marge Schott, former owner of the Cincinnati Reds. She was pressured to sell the team, not because she committed a crime, but apparently because she had become a major embarrassment to the city and to MLB.

[Cookie]

I say no to Magic.

[James]

Heck yeah, Los Angeles loves Magic Johnson. When they announced that he had HIV I had to pull over on the side of the road on Camp Pendleton because I was so upset.

We need someone to right the ship and Magic would be a great owner that would ensure that he has a quality GM, Manager, and players. Go for it Magic.

ESPN was speculating that he was gathering the funds to bring an NFL team back to Los Angeles... FYI

[Lakeshowinphx]

go for it, magic! you've been successful in every facet of your life!

[Glenn / CA]

Ahhhh, Magic Johnson the new Dodger owner ....... One could only dream .....

One problem, though. Doesn't McCort owe more than the team is worth?

[Steve Dilbeck]

Glenn/CA: At the end of last season, McCourt had the Dodgers approximately $433 million in debt and he has struggled to find additional financing. The team, however, is estimated to be worth between $800 million to a billion.

[Native Angeleno]

If it takes $800 million-1 billion to get rid of McCourt,
it's worth it.

I hope it will be to Eli Broad, or whoever is next, if it isn't to Magic.
Eli, somebody, make McCourt an offer he can't refuse, with a deadline.
How do i chip in?

As for Magic bringing the Jaguars to LA, or building the stadium, if he won't save the Dodgers, i'm fine with the NFL thing.

Tho if the rumor started on espn, it is worthless.

[Heatshield]

Sell the Dodgers to Rush Limbaugh.

[Andrew in Maplewood NJ, bleeds Dodger Blue]

an asinine suggestion. unless magic is willing to be a completely hands off owner and let the baseball people make the talent decisions. other wise, it is a pr stunt. Eli Broad where are you?