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Mark Cuban Wants to Buy the Dodgers

Bob Whalon Written by Bob Whalon, Wednesday November 02 2011
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Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has expressed an interest in buying the Los Angeles Dodgers, but only for the right price.

Apparently that price isn't $1 billion, which is the amount that current Dodgers owner Frank McCourt asked for earlier this week.  But that all changed on Tuesday night when McCourt and Major League Baseball reached an agreement to sell the team along with Dodgers Stadium and the surrounding real estate by an auction.

"It all comes down to price," Cuban wrote in an email to ESPNLosAngeles.com.  "It's important to have more than enough money to pay players and invest in the organization."

Cuban previously tried to buy the Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers, but failed in both bids.  Cuban was approved to bid on those teams, but he was not supposed to be the controlling owner.  Apparently there is some opposition to Cuban as an owner in baseball.

Cuban's outspoken ways have certainly ruffled some feathers in the past.  His tendency to speak his mind has earned him numerous fines from NBA commissioner David Stern over the years.

There were some in the NBA who complained that Cuban simply bought a championship, but the fact is that he played by the rules and won that championship last season.

"Mark is dedicated to his team and his fan base," Los Angeles Lakers executive vice president Jeanie Buss said.  "Some say he goes over the top but there is a direct correlation between season ticket renewals and the faith fans have in ownership."

McCourt has finally dropped his lawsuits against Major League Baseball and agreed to sell the team.  His high-profile divorce landed him in bankruptcy court and it was only a matter of time before his hand was forced.

Commissioner Bud Selig wouldn't let McCourt sign a television rights agreement with Fox, that was for far less than market value and because there were personal loans to McCourt built into the agreement.  Without that influx of money, McCourt had no choice but to sell.

The date of the auction has not been determined yet, but one thing is for certain, Cuban will place a bid.  After McCourt let the once-proud franchise fall, someone like Cuban might be just what baseball needs to get one of their marquee franchises back on top.


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