After disappointing years under News Corp ownership, the Los Angeles Dodgers were sold to real estate developer Frank McCourt in January 2004. The $430 million purchase price was the second-largest at the time, trailing the $660 million sale of the Boston Red Sox in 2002.
While the Dodgers went on to reach the postseason in 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2009, the era under McCourt grew tumultuous. He took the franchise into bankruptcy, which triggered the process of the team being sold a second time in eight years.
McCourt further lined his pockets by ensuring the sale would be done via auction.