Follow LA Observed on Twitter here
Civic leader Steve Soboroff was brought in as vice chairman of the Dodgers two months ago and became, for a short time, Frank McCourt's most vociferous public defender. But his hiring was followed just hours later by baseball's take over of the Dodgers' financial decision making. Soboroff had to have been blindsided by that act, and now he has resigned with a letter saying "the present environment is not conducive to getting the results I was brought on to achieve for the Dodger organization or for Los Angeles." From Bill Shaikin in the L.A. Times:
Neither McCourt nor Selig solicited Soboroff's resignation, said two people familiar with the matter but not authorized to discuss it. The appointment of a trustee, however, gave Major League Baseball approval rights for all expenditures over $5,000, and the league never approved a contract for Soboroff, the people said. McCourt used personal funds to pay Soboroff, one of the people said.McCourt and his attorneys have reached out to MLB in recent days, trying to come to an agreement that could provide the Dodgers owner with interim funding this week and keep him in control beyond then.
McCourt was told the league would not assist with any funding unless he agreed to sell the Dodgers, according to a person familiar with the discussions. McCourt needs close to $30 million to meet the Dodgers' payroll on Thursday, and MLB officials do not expect him to do so.
Mark Lacter posted earlier at LA Biz Observed.
Previously on LA Observed:
*Dodgers hire Steve Soboroff to improve fan experience
Steve Soboroff using Twitter to rouse Dodger support
Soboroff gets feisty with Larry Mantle
McCourt corrects Soboroff's comments on KPCC