We already knew that Frank McCourt was morally bankrupt and now, thanks to his steadfast refusal to let the Dodgers go, the Dodgers are bankrupt too, financially speaking.
This is a move that many have expected McCourt to take for weeks now and it comes just as Frank McCourt is days away from being unable to meet the Dodgers’ payroll and thus triggering Bud Selig to take full possession of the franchise. Such a scenario would have been in the best interests of the Dodgers, but McCourt has never acted in the club’s best interests, so why would he start now?
Fearful that he might lose control of what has essentially become his personal piggy bank, McCourt is no doubt hoping to use bankruptcy protection to somehow legally strongarm the Commissions’s office into approving the front-heavy TV deal from FOX, thus allowing McCourt to pay off much of his current debt and retain ownership… until the backend of the FOX deal kicks in and the team once again finds itself desperate for some cashflow. To make that happen, McCourt’s best bet is to keep the Dodgers tied up amidst legal red tape, making it so messy and painful for MLB to keep meddling in his business that they eventually just cut their losses and let McCourt make his dodgy deal with FOX.
Most legal experts seem to believe that the legal system will eventually rule in favor of Major League Baseball, but that could take months, or even years, a fact that will prove to be little solace for Dodger fans.
Alas, there is hope on the horizon and it exists in an unlikely form… Jamie McCourt.
Now, I’m not a lawyer and I don’t play one on TV, but I’m pretty sure that in order for Frank McCourt to put the Dodgers into Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, he’s going to need the blessing of his soon-to-be-ex-wife, Jamie McCourt. One of the biggest points of contention in the McCourt divorce trial was whether or not Frank was the sole owner of the team or if he split ownership with Jamie. At last check, Jamie remains part-owner of the Dodgers, though that ruling appears to have a few more legal hurdles to clear before being declared official. Nonetheless, until the courts say otherwise, that gives Jamie McCourt the potential ability to put the kibosh on Frank’s nefarious scheme and Bud Selig would be wise to form an unlikely alliance in order to compel her to do just that.
If Jamie prevents the Dodgers from hiding behind Chapter 11, it should clear the path for MLB to take over the club and, as they say, possession is nine-tenths of the law. Frank would no doubt throw more lawsuits at the league, but at least the Dodgers would be safely under the league’s protection until all that was cleared up. Or, maybe, just maybe, Frank will give in and sell the team like he should have months ago.
So go ahead, Jamie McCourt, screw your husband over one last time. This time, the fans will actually applaud you for it.
