Dodgers accuse Fox Sports of attempting to delay team’s sale

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

The Dodgers on Thursday asked a court to deny Fox Sports an immediate stay of the ruling that lets the team sell its television rights, claiming that the Fox request is ‘nothing more than an attempt to delay and ... derail’ the sale process.

Fox Sports asked the U.S. District Court for the stay late Wednesday. The Dodgers proposed filing their response Jan. 4 ‘without the need for the fire drill over the holiday season that Fox has proposed.’

In the meantime, Fox and the Dodgers are expected to begin discussions on a long-term TV rights extension next week, according to the filing. Fox has an exclusive negotiating window through Jan. 19.

That window had extended through Nov. 30, 2012, but the earlier date allows outgoing owner Frank McCourt to market the television rights along with the team. Fox says damages could top $1 billion, a claim dismissed by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Kevin Gross as ‘highly speculative and therefore unsubstantiated.’

In their filing, the Dodgers repeatedly cited Gross’ opinion and said Fox ‘grossly exaggerates the significance of its negotiation rights.’

The U.S. District Court has yet to say when it will consider the matter.

RELATED:

Jerry Sands would still be better off playing every day in minors

Dodgers: Judge calls Fox Sports ‘disingenuous’ in opinion

Fox seeks stay of ‘legally unprecedented’ TV-sale order

-- Bill Shaikin