Dodgers President & CEO Stan Kasten on Friday once again made “it clear that majority owner Mark Walter will not sell the team.” Kasten said, “The Dodgers are not being sold. They’re not going to be sold. They’re not for sale.” He added, “I wanted you to hear it definitively: We are not selling the Dodgers. We are continuing with our plans going forward, like we always have had them. This comes from Mark.” Kasten does not expect the Dodgers’ “operations to be interrupted” by the investigation into Walter’s financial dealings, and said that “nothing involving the Dodgers is part of the investigation.” When Kasten was asked about reports of Walter trying to sell his stake in Premier League club Chelsea FC and trying to cash out of lucrative TV deals with Charter Communications, he said that “they were mischaracterized.” Kasten took a “similar tone when asked about reports of Walter having to repay insurance companies” (L.A. TIMES, 8/21).
Kasten also “went on to defend Walter’s track record as the Dodgers’ owner.” Kasten: “He’s gung-ho about continuing to try to win.” In the days since, of course, new developments have “raised more questions about Walter and his status with the Dodgers.” Kasten added, “I’m promising you, when it’s over, you’re going to realize [some things being reported] are being mischaracterized. You don’t have to trust me, but I’m telling you” (N.Y. POST, 8/21).
If Walter were to sell the Dodgers, a “long line of interested parties” could include the runner-up when he bought the team in 2012: L.A. Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong. Soon-Shiong on Friday through a representative said that he “would be interested in leading an investment group should Walter decide to sell the team.” Soon-Shiong’s family attorney Chuck Kenworthy said, “We respect Mr. Walter, and we want to make it clear we have not spoken with him. If at some point he would like to discuss the Dodgers, we would be very open to talking” (L.A. TIMES, 8/21).