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Frank McCourt May Fight MLB's Takeover Of LA Dodgers

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Los Angeles Dodgers' owner Frank McCourt may resist Major League Baseball's plan to take over the team's operations.

MLB Commissioner Bud Selig announced Wednesday his intention to appoint a trustee to oversee the storied franchise, citing concern over the team's finances and operations. In response, McCourt issued this statement:

Frank McCourt
Dodgers owner Frank McCourt. (credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

"Major League Baseball sets strict financial guidelines which all 30 teams must follow. The Dodgers are in compliance with these guidelines. On this basis, it is hard to understand the Commissioner's action…"

Newly appointed Dodgers Vice Chairman Steve Soboroff blamed Selig for the club's seemingly shaky finances, saying the decision to take over the team had been "irresponsible" and dismissing Selig's concerns that McCourt is too strapped to operate the team.

Selig said Wednesday he would appoint a trustee to oversee the team "because of my deep concerns regarding the finances and operations of the Dodgers." McCourt received a $30 million loan last week to meet the first payroll of the season.

The ownership of the team has been the central focus of the pending divorce of Frank and Jamie McCourt.

"Frank McCourt is financially fine," Soboroff said in remarks reported Thursday on the Los Angeles Times website.

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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