The Los Angeles Dodgers have made history in the past, but not quite like this.
On Monday, the Dodgers, reached a low that no one ever thought they would reach—filing for bankruptcy.
It is sad that a team rich in history with great moments and important figures goes to a point that it may be unsure if it can pay its players on payday.
Worse yet, the Dodgers have went from two straight National League Championship Series appearances in 2008 and 2009 to eight games under .500 this season.
The only way that the Dodgers and Major League Baseball can undo the mess that owner Frank McCourt made? Hire Mark Cuban.
Cuban, an entrepreneur, continues to show that he can successfully run a major professional sports franchise. He has been the owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks since 2000.
In that time he has turned a horrible franchise with no success in the 90s, to one that has won at least 50 games for 11 seasons in a row. Dallas finally reached the NBA’s pinnacle on June 12 by defeating the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.
Cuban would certainly be a hit with the Dodger fan base based on his energetic personality and his ability to be a fan-friendly owner.
However, some baseball traditionalists, such as former MLB Commissioner Fay Vincent, oppose to the idea of Cuban owning the Dodgers—or any other team.
“I don’t think Mr. Cuban’s been an easy partner or owner for David Stern, and that would put me on guard if he were to come to baseball,” Vincent said on ESPN Radio’s June 15’s airing of “The Herd”.
Cuban has been fined numerous times by the NBA for his actions, whether for criticizing the referees or the league itself.
However, he did tone his act down during the 2011 NBA Playoffs and saved his talking for after the championship.
In spite of this, his personality might have already cost him opportunities of owning an MLB team, such as the Chicago Cubs or the Texas Rangers—the two teams he previously tried buy.
Cuban is not a traditional owner, though. He would rather sit in the stands screaming his lungs out with the audience rather than inside a luxury box disconnected from the true die-hard fans.
That is what separates him from many owners, but they all share the same common goal—win and provide a profitable product.
Forbes ranked the Mavericks No. 6 in terms of value this season and the franchise is worth twice as much now than it did a decade ago.
The Dodgers desperately need to build a winner and make a profit. Cuban might be their best chance to do so.
Good read, let's hope! LA deserves a real owner and he'd be great for baseball. Winner all the way around!
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