Who Owns the Dodgers?

The Los Angeles Dodgers are one of MLB’s marquee franchises. Playing in one of the biggest media markets in North America, the Dodgers often have one of the largest payrolls in the big leagues. 

Based in the Entertainment Capital of the World, the Dodgers have been associated with many of the world’s most famous people over the years. Their current ownership group includes an all-time great point guard and one of the greatest tennis players ever. 

Who Owns the Dodgers?

Guggenheim Baseball Management owns the Dodgers. 

The group purchased the franchise from Frank McCourt. 

Mark Walter is the controlling partner of Guggenheim Baseball Management.

The ownership group also includes Magic Johnson, Todd Boehly, Peter Guber, Billie Jean King, Ilana Kloss, Stan Kasten, Bobby Patton, Alan Smolinisky, and Robert L. Plummer.

Guggenheim quickly made the Dodgers into perennial contenders and were not afraid to spend money to acquire players who would be listed among the favourites in baseball odds for the MVP or Cy Young.

How Much Did Guggenheim Pay for the Dodgers?

Guggenheim Baseball Management paid $2 billion for the Dodgers in March 2012. 

The group also paid Frank McCourt $150 million for land surrounding Dodger Stadium.

Since Guggenheim took over, the Dodgers have consistently been at a short price to win the World Series in MLB odds. 

What Does Magic Johnson Own of the Dodgers?

Magic Johnson owns roughly 2.3% of the Dodgers.

Johnson was part of a group which bought the Dodgers for a record-setting $2 billion in March 2012. 

Congratulations to the Dodgers players, Manager Dave Roberts, the entire ownership group, and to all of Dodger Nation on beating the Mets and advancing to the World Series!! https://t.co/mfEduw5FrN

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) October 21, 2024

The former Los Angeles Lakers point guard is also a part owner of the Los Angeles Sparks, Los Angeles FC, Washington Spirit, and Washington Commanders. 

Who Owns the TV Rights to the Dodgers?

Charter Communications and the Dodgers are joint owners of Spectrum SportsNet LA, which broadcasts all Dodgers games not being exclusively televised by MLB’s national television partners.

The channel focuses entirely on Dodgers coverage, including news, discussion, and documentaries about the team.

In 2013, Time Warner Cable agreed to a deal worth over $8 billion to become the Dodgers’ regional rights holder. The channel launched before the 2014 regular season. 

Negotiation disputes meant less than half of the Southern California market had access to Spectrum SportsNet LA until 2020. 

How Much Are the Dodgers Worth?

The Dodgers are worth $5.45 billion, according to Forbes. 

As of 2024, the Dodgers are the second-most valuable MLB franchise behind the New York Yankees. In 2023, Forbes ranked the Dodgers as the 25th-most valuable sports franchise in the world, behind Bayern Munich and just ahead of the Atlanta Falcons.

The Dodgers were 26th in 2022 and tied for 14th in 2020. They ranked in the top 10 in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2019.

When Did the Dodgers Move to L.A.?

The Dodgers moved to Los Angeles in 1958. 

Walter O’Malley became the majority owner in 1950 and struggled to build a new stadium in Brooklyn, where the Dodgers had been based since the franchise’s first season in 1883. 

With air travel making it possible for teams to travel further for games, the West Coast had opened up as an option for relocation. O’Malley heard Los Angeles officials were looking to land a baseball team. They were willing to offer O’Malley the land to build and own a ballpark in the city. 

An offer for the New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers to share a new stadium in Queens didn’t impress O’Malley. He decided to take the Dodgers to Los Angeles and convinced Giants owner Horace Stoneham to move the Giants out west.

The Dodgers and Giants became the first MLB teams west and south of St. Louis. The rivalry which began in New York was kept alive in California.