The Dodger Divorce and the philosophy of fear -- I know I'm scared
I’m thinking scare tactics must be the way to go in these legal proceedings.
Not sure who shook me to my little baseball bones more Tuesday, but you have to hand it to the attorneys for Frank and Jamie McCourt, they do know how to get your attention.
First one of Jamie’s hired hands, Dennis Wasser, told The Times' Bill Shaikin that she is co-owner of the team and in order to keep the Dodgers in the family, she and Frank might have to become business partners.
Really, what could possibly be worse that being forced to run a company with the ex after a bitter divorce? The iron maiden? Sleep deprivation? Being forced to watch "Cougar Town?" My wife and I can barely agree on what to have for dinner, and we like each other.
What happens when, you know, they disagree on something? They could call the kids in for a tiebreaker, which would at least have a couple of them earning their six-figure salaries, but there are an even four of them.
This isn’t the first time a Jamie lawyer has threatened this frightening scenario. Back in March, attorney Bert Fields told USA Today: "They agreed to be 50-50 [owners]. And she doesn't want to sell. She loves baseball. She has the ability to buy out Frank if he wants. If he doesn't want to sell, they'll have to figure out a way to run the team together."
They pull that off, and Dr. Phil will have to surrender his chair. The U.N. would fly them to the Middle East the next day. Also, pigs will fly.
Wasser said at the moment Jamie is less interested in becoming the co-boss than simply making sure her interest in the value of the team is protected. Shaikin wrote that Jamie is likely to ask for the Dodgers' most recent financial results and projections, including information on discussions with Fox for a new television deal.
And how do you think that will go over?
Meanwhile, an even more frightening comment was made by one of Frank’s attorneys, Sorrell Trope, who said Frank would soon decide whether to appeal the decision he lost on the post-marital agreement or proceed directly to that new trial. Wasser said such a trial might not start before spring training opens — in 2012.
"You're not going to see the McCourts in trial for at least a year, and probably more," he said.
Ahhhhhhhh! Everybody scream altogether. Bud Selig, are you awake?
One theory is that Frank is simply attempting to stretch out all these legal maneuverings as long as he can, get his advances from Fox to stay afloat, and then cash in on either a new TV deal or a Dodgers station, enabling him to finally buy Jamie out.
The current Fox contract with the Dodgers runs for the next three seasons. Not sure if he can survive that long, but I’m doubting the rest of us can.
Of course, the first rule when listening to attorneys is to never believe a word they say. Every word comes with an agenda. And if their agenda is to frighten the bejebees out of us, mission accomplished.
-- Steve Dilbeck
Photo: Frank McCourt in 2006. Credit: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times
I don't know why but none of this surprises me.
Posted by: OldBrooklynFan | 01/25/2011 at 09:56 PM
Mr Selig... LISTEN WELL-1) Pick the Phone 2) Call Frank Mc Court and ORDER that he sells the Dodgers. 3)Give him 30 days NOTICE to MOVE OUT. 4) GIVE FRANK and His Co- Owner Jamie a HAM SANDWICH and A ROAD MAP and GET OUT OF TOWN NOW.
Do I NEED LANDING LIGHTS??????
Posted by: Cokomo | 01/26/2011 at 12:01 AM
Selig created this Frankenstein nightmare and only he has the power to end it!
Posted by: Hollywood Dodger Mark | 01/26/2011 at 01:59 AM
The McCourts will field a medicore hitting team, cannot agree on decision making, and have mismanaged finances. We have been in the wilderness for some 23 years and it will continue. "Same Old Jets" is a term that we here in the NY area once used to describe the NY Jets. The Jets went some 40 years before returning to, at least, the American Football Conference title game and actually were competitive in the past two title games. Their future looks bright! Bad personnel decisions, some financial management issues, poor coaching, and lack of intensity to win was the old way of the Jets. Now its the "Same Old Dodgers."
Posted by: Joe the Plumber | 01/26/2011 at 03:34 AM
Don't claim to be a lawyer, or a baseball official. Pardon the question if it reaks of dumbness.
But question: why wouldn't Jamie's legal team be full-court pressing the Empty Pockets Parking Attendant (EPPA for short), trying to either have a person(s) she wants (or herself) sitting saddle to saddle with EPPA - such as at the winter meetings, in TV negotiations, anything having to do with running the Dodgers?
Steve is right - any attorney who speaks publically, or makes any move, is on an agenda. What do her actions tell us is her agenda? I'd agree with Steve's post that lack of action is just giving EPPA time to regain some financial footing - which is a loss of leverage for Jamie. I'd guess that Jamie's lack of action means she thinks there's no way, even with a Dodgers station or a new TV deal from Fox or otherwise, that EPPA will ever be able to get away from either a split ownership or selling to her. And I'm not sure that would be a wise plan on her part given what she says she wants.
Posted by: alanw19 | 01/26/2011 at 04:42 AM
"My wife and I can barely agree on what to have for dinner, and we like each other." -Funny!
Not so funny, Steve, is your facile analysis of the fortunes at stake. "One theory is that Frank is simply attempting to stretch out all these legal maneuverings as long as he can, get his advances from Fox to stay afloat, and then cash in on either a new TV deal or a Dodgers station, enabling him to finally buy Jamie out."
Presuming Jamie is a co-owner and remains such, from a legal standpoint, Frank's equity increases with TV and other deals, but so does Jamie's. Thus, in relative dollars, Frank still has the same mountain to climb to buy her out.
If the Dodgers are his only asset, he can't get richer, without enriching her at the same time. Maybe that is funny, after all.
Posted by: Zen | 01/26/2011 at 06:26 AM
HEY McCourt's......YOU BOTH HAVE TO GO !!
NOW PLEASE !!
Posted by: Big_Richard | 01/26/2011 at 07:41 AM
sounds like a great idea for a sitcom.
Posted by: phil | 01/26/2011 at 07:56 AM
Cokomo, no offense, but you need to understand Selig installed cash-broke McCourt precisely to disallow a 'Yankees of the West' from asserting itself on the free agent hunt, and to keep player payrolls down for the other owners he serves, not the "baseball public" who to him and them are just turnstile statistics. Expecting Selig to spank McCourt is like expecting Obama to stop continuing the Bush agenda: Tres naive of the real world.
And Steve, the lawyers did us a service, we now know their respective game plans, McCourt to drag things out forever, Jamie to encourage us to hamstring Frank by discouraging attendance and force him to sell asap while he's still broke, or her money will be tied up with his team for however long the duration he chooses.
Posted by: Native Angeleno | 01/26/2011 at 08:42 AM
Part of the attorney's agenda is to make more money and they have found a lake of pride, and stupidity, in which to make rain for months (years?) to come. Mr McCourt really can't be that bright if he cannot see what a lucky position he is in. Most business owners when facing a suffocation debt, an ex-wife demanding her share, a no-confidence vote from the parent company, and a customer base calling for his head, have to file Chapter 11, lose their home and sometimes their family. But Frank can sell now and actually come out ahead.
He's young enough to rebuild. Just ask the Donald.
But I guess when you have a team of lawyers, and yes men, telling you you can win (all the while ringing up over a grand an hour) you want to believe them. Or maybe he is just doing his part to stimulate the economy.
Posted by: Dodger Fan | 01/26/2011 at 08:42 AM
Part of the attorney's agenda is to make more money and they have found a lake of pride, and stupidity, in which to make rain for months (years?) to come. Mr McCourt really can't be that bright if he cannot see what a lucky position he is in. Most business owners when facing a suffocation debt, an ex-wife demanding her share, a no-confidence vote from the parent company, and a customer base calling for his head, have to file Chapter 11, lose their home and sometimes their family. But Frank can sell now and actually come out ahead.
He's young enough to rebuild. Just ask the Donald.
But I guess when you have a team of lawyers, and yes men, telling you you can win (all the while ringing up over a grand an hour) you want to believe them. Or maybe he is just doing his part to stimulate the economy.
Posted by: Dodger Fan | 01/26/2011 at 08:42 AM
Unfortunately this problem is not going to be resolved soon or easily. Here is an idea, have a third party trustee appointed by MLB come in and run the team until these two can resolve their legal issues. They would have two years to resolve it or the team will be sold. They would still have financial ownership, but no bearing on the day to day operations of the team. Bar them both from the stadium, games and contact with staff and players. At least the team operations and future would be stable. That way this will not be drawn out, destroying the franchise and losing more fans. Joe Torre has not committed to anything yet. Let him come and take things over.
Posted by: Kathy | 01/26/2011 at 08:55 AM
"You're not going to see the McCourts in trial for at least a year, and probably more," he said.
.
Steve - Truer words were never spoken by a lawyer. Why? IT'S NOT IN THE ATTORNEYS BEST INTEREST for a quick resolution.
.
That said, its not in Frank's best interest either, and Frank cares about Frank period. And though it would be in everyone's (except Frank's and the lawyers that is) best interest for No Nads Bud to step in and force a sale, that won't stop Frank from litigating that move either.
.
Only way I can see Frank selling is by getting crushed in his own mounting debt, and that can only be hastened by poor attendance leading to his large creditors calling in their loans.
.
Not that Frank won't litigate that too.
Posted by: Labeldude | 01/26/2011 at 08:58 AM
Two other quotes are even scarier. More gloom and doom from Jamie's lawyers:
Dennis Wasser also said,"If this trial continues ...... I don't think there's any hope for the family or the Dodgers.
David Boles, another one of her lawyers, has this happy prediction, "The thing that would be best for Frank and Jamie and their children, in my opinion, isn't necessarily the best for Los Angeles and the Dodgers."
Let's chew on that for a while. And these guys are only Jamie's lawyers! Can't wait for Frank's mouthpieces to chime in. I'm sure the Slimey Steve Sugerman will have something appropriate to add.
One thing left for you to do: Boo him, boo him, boo him.
Posted by: Since '58 | 01/26/2011 at 09:38 AM
buddy boy likes these kind of owners, you know shoestring owners, he don`t like the bad publicity that the franchise is getting, but next year after another 3 million pass through the turnstiles and we become inured to the fact that we are always,under mccourt rule whether jamie or franky, be also rans. buddy boy can`t stop the the big money teams, so he and the people who are SHOESTRING OWNERS, just live off them. If bud selig, between drinks, was any kind of commissioner, he would have stepped in a long time ago. In fact he would, if he was sober and alert,have not allowed a couple of shysters(sic) like the mccourts to even attend a game. I guess the point I am trying, maybe not too good, make is if none of the owners has the money to pay front line talent(remember collusion) the players will have to play for less. And of course people like the mccourts can just go along their merry way with COMPETITIVE TEAMS and raise prices every year, a dollar here to park, a dollar more for tix and a little bit more for food and refreshments. HE AIN`T GONNA SELL PERIOD. he is in a win win situation for the other owners......
Posted by: Jim McVeigh | 01/26/2011 at 10:09 AM
Hahahaha!
Dodgers!!
Posted by: Guess Again | 01/26/2011 at 10:38 AM
The one thing that will destroy any credibility with the other owners is this "advance" by Fox.
What will really tick off the owners in their own negotiations with media is the "low ball" rights fees that Fox is certain to get as a result of these advances.
I am sure the quid pro quo between Fox and McCourt is "hey I help you out now, you give me a big discount later."
McCourt, desperate for capital will do anything in the short term to survive.
The problem is that other owners use rights fees comparisons to justify their own demands.
Just as in salary arbitration or executive compensation, benchmarks are used to determine a fair, market based offer.
If Fox can say to other teams, "look we just signed the Dodgers to a package of X per year, so there is no way we are gonna pay you X since you are a smaller market team, they gain major leverage by getting the dodgers at a discount.
In other words, McCourt will sign a new deal for considerably less dollars than otherwise because of his short term issues and compromised position vis-a-vis Fox.
Fox pays lower rights fees to the Dodgers, then uses these benchmark figures in negotiations with other teams, thereby having leverage over these teams.
When the owners figure this out, Bud the Dud will have to intervene and take the team away from the McCourts.
All of which will happen later this year. I guarantee it.
Posted by: the Q | 01/26/2011 at 10:53 AM
"Not sure if he can survive that long, but I’m doubting the rest of us can."
The Dodger fan can survive, endure, and persevere. We may not enjoy it, we may not even tolerate it, but we will always come back for "next year." It's what baseball fans do. 'dem bums have moved from the field to the front office. I don't know what it is, but there is something about that blue script and red number on the front of the jersey that not even ownership can destroy.
Posted by: mark marius | 01/26/2011 at 11:37 AM
rarely have so few people irritated so many while making so much money off innocent people.
Unless you count the morons who watch Jersey Shore and THAT train wreck with a cast of losers and despised idiots the likes of which we have not seen since, well, THE McCourts and their attorneys.
Posted by: Ebbets from Connecticut | 01/26/2011 at 12:51 PM
I don't like Frank McCourt.
No, wait......I hate Frank McCourt. I really do.
Posted by: alanw19 | 01/26/2011 at 12:59 PM
McCrap's Disgraced Dodgers: the laughingstock of MLB.
Posted by: KoufaxFan | 01/26/2011 at 01:09 PM
What I find most offensive is that Vin Scully must work for these people. They should sell the team to the league asap just to retain a smidgen of personal dignity.
Posted by: Cleareye | 01/26/2011 at 02:47 PM
"The Dodger fan can survive, endure, and persevere. We may not enjoy it, we may not even tolerate it, but we will always come back for "next year." It's what baseball fans do. 'dem bums have moved from the field to the front office. I don't know what it is, but there is something about that blue script and red number on the front of the jersey that not even ownership can destroy."
Well said Mark M. you hit the nail right on the head! Ownership can't destroy the Dodgers. The Dodgers are a Institution of Honor, Dignity, & Respect. Epic & Legendary moments that will stand the test of time, unlike ownership, the Dodgers will be around til the end of days.
Posted by: LosDoyers | 01/26/2011 at 02:50 PM
Hollywood Dodger Mark - Selig IS Frankenstein . . .
Posted by: sc | 01/26/2011 at 03:50 PM
Just gonna go catch a few games, enjoy the view on a warm summer evening,
have a hot dog and a cool beverage and enjoy the moment.
Hey, there's a good 50/50 chance the Dodgers will win any given game.
With my level of expectation properly adjusted, there is little to be disappointed about now,
knowing the Dodgers will not be expected to contend for a title as long as a McCourt owns
this once fabled franchise.
A once proud team now being dragged through the gutter, 'tis a pity.
Hello, Mr. Bud Selig! Are you awake?
Posted by: 68elcamino427 | 01/26/2011 at 04:31 PM
Wish they would stop playing the "family card." Parents who behave like Frank and Jamie don't love their kids...or anyone else's.
Posted by: skyharbor | 01/26/2011 at 05:56 PM
Dodger fans should boycott Dodger stadium until the McCourts leave town.
Posted by: McCourts should go back to Boston | 01/27/2011 at 06:15 AM
Very clever perspective by The Q. Just another Den of Thieves, right? As long as there's fans' fannies in the seats, Selig's a happy camper.
And 68elcamino427, why not, while you're enjoying a Dodger Dog, beer and a middling team performance, lustily BOO McCourt if he's present, or start a "Sell,sell, sell" chant, even if he's not. Might as well get your money's worth!
Posted by: Since '58 | 01/27/2011 at 10:17 AM