Judge Allows Dodgers’ Plan for TV Rights

A federal bankruptcy judge ruled that the Los Angeles Dodgers can accelerate the sale of their future television rights over the objections of Fox Sports, whose Prime Ticket channel has a contract to carry the team’s games through 2013.

Judge Kevin Gross of United States Bankruptcy Court decided in favor of the team after a two-day hearing. If upheld, his decision is likely to set off a vigorous auction for the TV rights between Time Warner Cable, AT&T, DirecTV and Fox. Fox argued that rights contained in its current contract with the Dodgers precluded the team from contacting any other suitors for the TV rights before the end of a 45-day exclusive negotiation window on Nov. 30, 2012. Fox said it would suffer enormous financial damages if Judge Gross ruled for the team.