Los Angeles Dodgers president Stan Kasten on Friday put an end to rumors about the team's future, telling reporters before the game against Pittsburgh: "The Dodgers are not being sold. They're not for sale. There's no process that has been started to sell it, period. We are planning only to win." This was reported by infohub.kz.
The speculation began earlier this month when billionaire owner Mark Walter agreed to sell the Los Angeles Lakers to businessmen Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for a record-breaking $12.5 billion, according to a person familiar with the terms who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Walter bought a controlling stake in the Lakers from the Buss family last year.
"I can't tell you how important the Dodgers are to Mark," Kasten said. "The Lakers were important to him too, but it's kind of an extraordinary opportunity, which he took."
Last month, multiple media outlets reported that Walter's business empire is under scrutiny from federal prosecutors and the Securities and Exchange Commission in tax fraud investigations. Walter is cooperating with the investigation. "I know nothing involving the Dodgers is part of the investigation," Kasten said, declining to go into specifics.
The 66-year-old Walter, based in Chicago, is CEO of Guggenheim Partners. He has overseen a run of success for the Dodgers, including three World Series championships in six seasons and a penchant for lavishing big-money contracts on players like four-time MVP Shohei Ohtani. "I think Mark has done an extraordinary job as an owner," Kasten said. "All he's ever cared about is providing the best experience in order to make us more money, to make this project successful. I think so far it has been, and I expect that to continue far into the future."
Kasten also said Walter is not exploring any sales of his other sports properties, including the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks, the Professional Women's Hockey League, and TWG Motorsports.
Walter typically shuns the spotlight, preferring to stay behind the scenes and have Kasten or other team executives make public statements.