*Report: McCourt's Fox deal rejected by Commissioner Bud Selig

That's what the LAT's Bill Shaikin just tweeted. That could set in motion a whole bunch of things, starting with the Dodgers not being able to meet payroll at the end of the month, Major League Baseball taking control of the team, and owner Frank McCourt suing MLB. From LAT:

Selig was said to be aghast over a provision in the divorce settlement that would divert almost half the immediate payment from that television contract for the benefit of the McCourts rather than for the benefit of the Dodgers. After court documents revealed that the McCourts had used more than $100 million from team revenues for personal purposes, baseball officials have asked McCourt to ensure any upfront payments from the Fox contract be used exclusively on the team. The settlement terms announced Friday call for an upfront payment of $385 million, with up to $173.5 million reserved for the McCourts and their attorneys.

The McCourts agreed that their settlement would be "null and void" if Selig rejected the Fox contract. So that, too, is off the table.

*Here's Selig's statement:

"Pursuant to my authority as commissioner, I have informed Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt today in a detailed letter that I cannot approve the club's proposed transaction with Fox. This decision was reached after a full and careful consideration of the terms of the proposed transaction and the club's current circumstances. It is my conclusion that this proposed transaction with Fox would not be in the best interests of the Los Angeles Dodgers franchise, the game of baseball and the millions of loyal fans of this historic club.

"Mr. McCourt has been provided with an expansive analysis of my reasons for rejecting this proposed transaction. Critically, the transaction is structured to facilitate the further diversion of Dodgers assets for the personal needs of Mr. McCourt. Given the magnitude of the transaction, such a diversion of assets would have the effect of mortgaging the future of the franchise to the long-term detriment of the club and its fans.

"As I have said before, we owe it to the legion of loyal Dodger fans to ensure that this club is being operated properly now and will be guided appropriately in the future. This transaction would not accomplish these goals."

Edited post