Dodgers File For Bankruptcy, Manny Ramirez Listed As Biggest Creditor

Unable to get Major League Baseball to approve a multibillion-dollar television deal, the Dodgers filed for bankruptcy Monday morning in a Delaware court, according to The Associated Press.

Chapter 11 bankruptcy allows the team to use up to $150 million for day-to-day operations and allows for more time to seek an MLB-approved TV deal.

The bankruptcy filing is the latest development in what has been a difficult period for owner Frank McCourt, who is entrenched in a messy divorce settlement with his ex-wife Jamie McCourt. In order for the divorce settlement to be finalized, Frank must find a TV deal for the Dodgers and get it approved by MLB, which has not happened yet.

As a requirement of filing for bankruptcy, McCourt had to provide a list of the team’s creditors. Interestingly enough, the Dodgers’ largest creditor is Manny Ramirez, who is reportedly owed almost $21 million. Ramirez, the former Red Sox outfielder who was traded to Los Angeles on July 31, 2008, has not played for the Dodgers since August of 2010 and retired on April 8 after a brief stint with the Rays.

The Dodgers also owe the White Sox $3.5 million after Chicago claimed Ramirez off waivers in 2010.

Other notable names on the creditors list include Yankees outfielder Andruw Jones (reportedly owed $11 million), Japanese Pacific League reliever Kaz Ishii ($3.3 million) and Vin Scully ($152,778), the play-by-play voice of the franchise since 1950.