Dodgers Get Taken Over; Mets to Suffer Same Fate?

Here’s an excerpt from my Bagels & Baseball post this past Sunday Morning.


“What’s wrong with this ex-couple! Jamie and Frank not only went through their combined fortune, but they are now fighting for a team that they can’t even make payroll for? Didn’t they watch the War of the Roses? What’s next, are they going to duke it out hanging from a chandelier?” 


As Major League Baseball has stepped in and taken control over the Dodgers, attention has turned directly towards the McCourts as people are wondering what the hell happened here. Exactly how does one bankrupt one of the premier franchises in all of sports? How? I’ll tell you how! 


According to public divorce filings, as it turns out, the Dodgers (Frank & Jamie McCourt) had been charging themselves millions in rent each year, with much of that money going toward the couple’s personal expenses. The couple had done all kinds of things including making numerous real estate purchases, including side-by-side homes in Holmby Hills and Malibu, and they even paid Russian physicist Vladimir Shpunt to channel positive thoughts toward the team.


I’m going to say that again. Read it slowly because I don’t think you got it the first time. Frank and Jamie McCourt paid Russian physicist Vladimir Shpunt to channel positive thoughts toward the team.


What the hell does that have to do with baseball? What does that even mean? What laws of physics are they talking about? You mean to tell me that in 2009, Manny Ramirez sat in a room with this Russian dude and the guy took positive thoughts from somewhere (Russia I presume) and implanted them into Manny’s head? Hey, maybe Shpunt was the one that gave many the steroids, did anyone think of that?


Baseball commissioner Bud Selig said in a release Wednesday that he took action “because of my deep concerns regarding the finances and operations of the Dodgers.” Selig went on to say that he will appoint a representative to oversee both the business and the day-to-day operations of the team. What a friggin’ mess!


Meanwhile, 3,000 miles away in some office in Citi Field, Fred Wilpon is saying, “Thank God they aren’t talking about me for a few moments.” Fred, don’t be so gleeful, you’re next.


Could this be a year where both the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets both get repossessed by Major League Baseball? Talk about the story of the year……



The founder and former owner of MC3 Sports Media, Mike Cardano is the Sr. Business Administrator for RotoExperts and the Executive Director here at TheXLog.com. You may email Mike @ michael.cardano@rotoexperts.com or follow him on Twitter @RotoExperts_MC3