The Bar is Set High for Dodger’s New Ownership Group


Part of the Dodger's new ownership group - Magic Johnson
With the Dodgers being purchased this week for $2.15 billion, the long-suffering fans finally have a chance to exhale.  The new ownership group brings hope that the club can turn itself into one of the premier franchises in baseball once again. 

However, because Dodgers fans have been through so much – a drawn out divorce with former owners Frank and Jamie McCourt, no World Series titles since 1988, a roster that hasn’t signed a marquee free-agent in many years, and an aging Dodger Stadium – the stakes have never been this high.  The Dodgers faithful are desperate for the new ownership group to not only return the club to stability, but also to turn the franchise into a West Coast version of the New York Yankees. 

The large involvement of Magic Johnson in the club’s future only raises the bar higher.  Los Angeles sports fans have come to view Johnson as a deity who is nearly infallible.  The Dodgers will be his most visible business venture and he will be put under close scrutiny as part owner. 

Los Angeles sports fans are smarter than they get credit for.  When you follow the area’s sports teams, you quickly realize that teams must win to be relevant.  Because there are so many options to spend your sports and entertainment dollars (Lakers, Dodgers, Kings, USC, UCLA, Angels, and Ducks), there is almost always one team that will be successful at a given time.  This becomes the “it” team for the whole region – it dominates the competition both in conversation and at the ticket office. 

If the new ownership group wants to recoup their unprecedented investment, they will need to put a successful team on the field on a regular basis.  They will also need to understand the Dodger’s fan base (selling the naming rights to Dodger Stadium won’t go over well) and keep them happy.  Dodger’s fans are desperate right now – there will be a grace period where the owners will be glorified for anything they do well.  However, once that grace period ends, the new ownership group will need to run the franchise extremely well if they want to be successful.
Dodger Stadium

Comments

  1. Eric BurseApril 8, 2012 at 3:45 PM

    I'm excited for the next chapter of life for the Dodgers. I'm not a native Angelino so I don't know all the facts behind their team and the current fever among the fans. However, I recognize that, like you said, there will be a grace period for the owners and their actions. For Magic Johnson and the other major investors, this will be a test to how they will navigate this new mission. I am excited for them, but the recent public turmoil leave them in a unique position. The opportunity is significant!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Danny SavitzkyApril 30, 2012 at 12:05 AM

    Magic Johnson got jobbed, and McCourt got bailed out with this deal. The next-best offer was $1.4 billion. At least the franchise has changed hands, though. Needed to happen.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Armen KaraoghlanianApril 30, 2012 at 1:15 PM

    This is quite exciting for the city of Los Angeles, and especially for Dodger fans. Perhaps this can help shed some light on the once great team and bring them to the top once again. I do agree with you as the new ownership needs to work very hard and strategize their plans better than the previous if they want to create a mass success. This is at least a good start.

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