Dodgers statement: MLB trying to force distressed sale

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The Dodgers blasted Major League Baseball on Friday for trying to force what the team called ‘an unnecessary and value-destroying distressed sale’ of the team.

In court papers filed earlier in the day, the league asked that the Bankruptcy Court order the sale of the Dodgers. In response, the Dodgers said that, under U.S. bankruptcy law, ‘liquidation is the last resort, not the first option.’

The statement also reiterated the claim of owner Frank McCourt that the bankruptcy was forced by Commissioner Bud Selig and alleged that the ‘inaccuracies’ in Friday’s MLB filing were ‘offensive and too numerous to mention.’

The full statement, issued by Dodgers spokeswoman Lyndsey Estin, follows:

‘Major League Baseball’s motion is meritless. It is another step in the Commissioner’s continuing effort to cause the sale of the Dodgers notwithstanding that the Dodgers can and will be successfully reorganized as outlined in the recently filed media rights marketing motion. In United States bankruptcy reorganization cases, liquidation is the last resort, not the first option.

‘The debtor’s Media Rights Plan, which was filed on September 16th, is designed to maximize the value of the Dodgers so it has the opportunity to emerge successfully from Chapter 11. The alternative offered today by Major League Baseball really amounts to an unnecessary and value destroying distressed sale of the Los Angeles Dodgers. ‘The inaccuracies in the ‘facts’ recited in the motion and the false characterization of other matters are offensive and too numerous to mention. MLB’s motion also ignores the fact that the Commissioner has treated the Dodgers differently from other Major League Baseball Clubs and that the Commissioner’s actions starved the Dodgers of cash and caused the bankruptcy filing.

‘The debtor will file its initial response to MLB’s motion with the Court early next week.’

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-- Bill Shaikin