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Confirmed: McCourt meets Dodgers’ Wednesday payroll

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Dodgers owner Frank McCourt has met the team’s Wednesday payroll, two people familiar with the Dodgers’ finances said Tuesday.

McCourt is 5-for-5 in making payroll this season, even after Commissioner Bud Selig tabled a long-term television contract with Fox that McCourt said had been factored into the Dodgers’ financial planning for this season. Without the revenue from that contract, McCourt met the Dodgers’ first three payrolls with a $30-million personal loan from Fox and met the May 31 and June 15 payrolls by juggling payment schedules.

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However, with a wave of deferred payments coming due, McCourt needs about $30 million -- roughly triple the usual amount -- to meet the June 30 payroll. The Dodgers appear to have ‘no chance’ to meet that payroll without a cash infusion from that Fox contract, according to a person familiar with the team’s finances.

McCourt and his ex-wife Jamie held close to nine hours of talks on Monday in an attempt to settle their divorce. It is unclear how Frank McCourt would finance a settlement if Selig does not approve the Fox contract. The settlement discussions are continuing.

-- Bill Shaikin

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