Is Brewers owner Mark Attanasio interested in buying Dodgers?
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As questions go, this one is pretty straightforward: Are you interested in buying the Dodgers?
Mike DiGiovanna of The Times put that question to Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio on Wednesday. Attanasio, who lives in Los Angeles, did not answer yes or no.
‘I’m committed to Milwaukee,’ Attanasio said. ‘We have a very good thing going on here.’
The Brewers, playing in baseball’s smallest market, sold more tickets than the Dodgers this season. The Brewers advanced to the National League Championship Series this season, their second playoff appearance in four years after a 25-year postseason drought.
Attanasio is thought to be intrigued by the Dodgers opportunity but wary of leaving the Brewers after bringing them back to prominence. He and his wife often say how much they enjoy the Milwaukee community.
He has kept tabs on the Dodgers sale process.
‘Every day there’s another name’ of another prospective owner, he said. ‘The Dodgers are a storied franchise.’
Attanasio, who served on Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s task force to evaluate the proposed Farmers Field deal, said it would not necessarily be important for the Dodgers to have local ownership. ‘I think baseball favors it, but I’m not considered a local owner, and it’s worked out pretty well here,’ Attanasio said. ‘I bought a place here, and we’re very involved with the community. I don’t know that geography is required.’
Attanasio and McCourt participated in the owners’ meetings at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee. Attanasio said he was not surprised to see McCourt there, even after he agreed to sell the team after challenging baseball’s rules in court.
‘Frank has come to every meeting,’ Attanasio said. ‘He hasn’t missed a meeting. So not at all [surprised].’
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-- Mike DiGiovanna in Milwaukee and Bill Shaikin in Los Angeles