Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Why the McCourt Divorce May Be the Least of the Dodgers Worries
The Biz of Baseball ^ | April 18, 2011 | Maury Brown

Posted on 04/19/2011 1:31:55 PM PDT by La Enchiladita

Few who have been following the Los Angeles Dodgers off the field are unaware of the divorce between Frank and Jamie McCourt. The nasty case that appalled many at the overtly opulent lifestyle has had some point to the split and say that the reason for the financial downfall of the organization is tied directly to the divorce.

You could also make a case that the Dodgers would be in dire shape, regardless of the churn around the McCourts divorce.

Upon closer examination, the Dodgers are in the midst of a slide of other sorts, namely at the gate.

According to court documents from the divorce, the Dodgers lost 14% of their season-ticket base in two years, dropping from 26,941 in 2007 to 23,300 in 2009. In looking at estimates, the Dodgers could be losing as many 10,000 full season equivalents since 2007.

That was 2007 to 2009, and early numbers from this season point to the overall paid attendance dropping, as well.

(Excerpt) Read more at bizofbaseball.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Sports
KEYWORDS: baseball; dodgers; mccourt; mlb
And on Saturday, there was more alarming news.

According to the LA Times, Frank McCourt has secured a $30 million loan from FOX to meet payroll obligations, which according to the report will cover expenses into next month. It marks the second loan since the end of last season that the Dodgers have had to take on.

It's not hard to see where this is going.

1 posted on 04/19/2011 1:31:58 PM PDT by La Enchiladita
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: La Enchiladita

Why would season ticket holders want to renew at a location that is rife with gang bangers and illegals?


2 posted on 04/19/2011 1:35:38 PM PDT by misterrob (Thug Life....now showing at a White House near you....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: misterrob
Ebbets Field looks better and better in the rear view mirror.
3 posted on 04/19/2011 1:42:56 PM PDT by Lonesome in Massachussets (Somewhere in Kenya a village is missing its idiot)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Misterioso; dfwgator; Yaelle; OCCASparky; Pelham; truthkeeper; Churchillspirit; stillonaroll; ...
I promise not to ping too often to the topic, but we know what they say about promises and this is the best comprehensive article out there on the situation.

On Saturday 31,614 in paid attendance was counted, the lowest attended Saturday home game since 9/7/02 vs Astros. Finally, Sunday saw just 27,439, or 49% of capacity. Through 8 games the Dodgers are averaging 40,270, a healthy number (now second in the league behind the Phillies), until you realize that that is just 72 percent of Dodger Stadium’s 56,000 seating capacity ...

4 posted on 04/19/2011 1:44:15 PM PDT by La Enchiladita (Remember, Reflect, Renew: 2011, 10 years since 9/11. Never Forget.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: misterrob

Chavez Ravine is now 50 years old...how long before we hear that they need a NEW stadium to be competitive?


5 posted on 04/19/2011 2:00:28 PM PDT by ken5050 (Save the Earth..It's the only planet with chocolate!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: La Enchiladita
Through 8 games the Dodgers are averaging 40,270, a healthy number (now second in the league behind the Phillies), until you realize that that is just 72 percent of Dodger Stadium’s 56,000 seating capacity ...

That's easily the largest seat capacity of any major league team. MLB teams have don't play at Astroturfed behemoths like Riverfront and Veteran's anymore, most have new ball parks with smaller seating capacities, better views and real grass. The Dodgers need a new park. And new ownership.
6 posted on 04/19/2011 2:13:39 PM PDT by AnotherUnixGeek
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: La Enchiladita

Also don’t forget Frank McCourt idiot if you believe KFI News they been promote Dodgers tickets to gangmembers no wonder why visiting team fans are being beaten into COMA LA E


7 posted on 04/19/2011 2:49:51 PM PDT by SevenofNine ("We are Freepers, all your media belong to us ,resistance is futile")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SevenofNine

Yeah, John and Ken are good on this subject.
Can you believe the Dodgers now sell a “Doyer Dog” at the stadium?


8 posted on 04/19/2011 2:59:56 PM PDT by La Enchiladita (Remember, Reflect, Renew: 2011, 10 years since 9/11. Never Forget.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: La Enchiladita

In retrospect, it may be that we’ll look back and realize Fox and the McCourts were merely woefully inadequate placeholders in the transition from the successful regimes of the O’Malleys to Dennis Gilbert.


9 posted on 04/19/2011 3:15:49 PM PDT by Hebrews 11:6 (Do you REALLY believe that (1) God is, and (2) God is good?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: La Enchiladita

Yeah they are one the broke the story including Tim Conway Jr during the week about it yeah they distrbute Dodger tickets to gangbangers


10 posted on 04/19/2011 6:05:50 PM PDT by SevenofNine ("We are Freepers, all your media belong to us ,resistance is futile")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: La Enchiladita

“I promise not to ping too often to the topic,”

No problem, I want to follow this topic.

The Dodgers need a new owner. They need a police substation with a jail in the stadium like Anaheim has. They need zero tolerance for threats, for taunting, and swearing. The LAPD needs to be arresting people for drinking in the parking lots and for being intoxicated in the stadium.

You basically have a stadium that has been claimed by a Mexican sureno prison gang. McCourt allowed it, in fact encouraged it with heavy advertising on LA gangbanger radio.
It’s a travesty what has happened to the Dodgers.


11 posted on 04/19/2011 7:23:19 PM PDT by Pelham (Islam, mortal enemy of the free world)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: AnotherUnixGeek
That's easily the largest seat capacity of any major league team.

Largest, yes--but not by much. And when you consider the size of the markets of other teams with close to the same capacity, and the percentage to which they fill those seats, the Dodgers are indeed in big trouble.
12 posted on 04/20/2011 5:08:04 AM PDT by OCCASparky (Steely-eyed killer of the deep.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Pelham
It’s a travesty what has happened to the Dodgers.

That it is, FRiend. I had an enjoyable, safe time when we went to day games last year, but...

I notice how hispanics have taken on the wearing of Dodgers gear around town as a form of latino identity and a way of saying the Dodgers are "theirs." How could they think otherwise given the way the organization has pandered and catered to them? The stadium gift shop even sells "Doyers" t-shirts now.

Yet, when I have gone to games and look at the crowd on TV, I see many other ethnicities than hispanic. We are there for love of the game of baseball, and to pass it on to children.

The Dodgers have been hijacked, not only by their unilateral ethnic emphasis, but a great number of ridiculous "promotions."

We need an owner who promotes the all-time greatest game of baseball, and provides an environment that nurtures the best players --- both established and up-and-coming ---, and provides a guaranteed safe experience at the ballpark.

I am certain McCourt does not have a clue.

13 posted on 04/20/2011 2:40:43 PM PDT by La Enchiladita (Remember, Reflect, Renew: 2011, 10 years since 9/11. Never Forget.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: AnotherUnixGeek
The Dodgers need a new park.

Ebbets Field sounds good to me.

14 posted on 04/20/2011 2:42:55 PM PDT by dfwgator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: La Enchiladita
Have you seen this article from today? (Friday, April 22, 2011)

Fans stunned by the dark days of Dodgers baseball

Well, at least the Dodgers' organization did one thing right: They kept the great Vin Scully on as the Dodgers' announcer. May he continue to enjoy excellent health!

15 posted on 04/22/2011 9:31:05 AM PDT by nutmeg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nutmeg

Exactly, nutmeg. I agree re the great Vin Scully.

We have a better team this year than some thought. They have been winning all their games -— and leading the Cubbies at the moment -— since the announcement that McCourt is out. Hmmmm....

Oh, I didn’t see that specific article but local news is covering the management change extensively and, overwhelmingly, True Blue fans are elated. We have hope now.


16 posted on 04/22/2011 1:35:15 PM PDT by La Enchiladita (Remember, Reflect, Renew: 2011, 10 years since 9/11. Never Forget.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson