 07/29/2003 8:21 PM ET
Dodgers: No deal in place for sale
PHILADELPHIA -- The Dodgers remained the property of News Corp. Tuesday,
despite media reports that Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner Malcolm Glazer had
reached an agreement in principle to purchase the organization.
"News Corp. continues the process of speaking with prospective buyers and
there is definitely not a deal in place with any of them at this time," said
Derrick Hall, Dodgers senior vice president of communications.
Major League Baseball officials had no comment on the reports, that
originated on an Internet site, which attributed "highly placed sources" and
indicated a purchase price between $400 million and $500 million.
The expected sale of the Dodgers has prompted reports of done-deals in the
past. On May 14 and again on June 8, Los Angeles newspapers and local television
stations reported that the sale to Glazer was in its final stages and could be completed within days.
The Glazer family is reportedly one of three primary suitors for the
ballclub, along with former Seattle Mariners owner Jeffrey Smulyan and Los
Angeles real estate developer Alan Casden.
Although Glazer has long been reported as the frontrunner in negotiations
with News Corp., there are complications involving cross-ownership of teams
in two different sports, as well as the financing of the suggested purchase.
A cbs.sportsline.com report Tuesday speculated that Glazer might eventually
sell the Buccaneers, or build a football stadium on what is now the Dodger
Stadium parking lot and move the football team to Los Angeles.
Ken Gurnick is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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