A’s owner Lew Wolff ‘not interested’ in Dodgers

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Although Bud Selig’s takeover of the Dodgers on Wednesday could lead to a sale, Oakland Athletics owner Lew Wolff said Thursday he would not be a buyer.

“I’m not interested in the Dodgers,” Wolff said.

Wolff had been speculated as a possible buyer because he lives in Los Angeles, although his primary financial backing comes from a San Francisco Bay Area family. The A’s have been waiting for more than two years for Commissioner Bud Selig to decide whether they can move to San Jose. Within baseball circles, speculation arose that Selig might try to shepherd Wolff into ownership of the Dodgers rather than make him wait to see whether the Giants could be pacified into tolerating the A’s in San Jose.

“My focus is deep into getting us a new venue for the A’s,” Wolff said. “That’s where my long term is.”

The leading figures within baseball that might bid on the Dodgers are considered to be Mark Attanasio, the owner of the Milwaukee Brewers, and Dennis Gilbert, a former agent and current Chicago White Sox executive. Both men live in Los Angeles; Gilbert led a group that failed in a bid to buy the Texas Rangers last year.

Gilbert is believed to have an investment group lined up for a possible Dodgers bid. Attanasio was en route to Milwaukee where the Brewers on Thursday signed outfielder Ryan Braun to a five-year, $105-million contract extension.

Boston Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner, a Hollywood producer with a home here, told the Boston Globe he would not be interested in buying the Dodgers.

Mark Cuban, owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, previously has said he would consider exploring a Dodgers purchase but did not respond to an email seeking comment. Steve Garvey, the former Dodgers All-Star first baseman, remains interested in assembling an investment group to bid on the club.

-- Bill Shaikin

RELATED:

Major League Baseball seizes control of the Dodgers

Dodgers’ status could remain in limbo for forseeable future

Dodgers fans surprised but optimistic about the franchise’s future