Mavs owner would consider buying Dodgers

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Mark Cuban, owner of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, said Monday he would be interested in buying the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Cuban told the Los Angeles Times he has been urged by many Dodgers fans -- "more than I can count" -- to acquire the National League franchise. However, the team is not for sale, Dodgers owner Frank McCourt had said.

McCourt's estranged wife, Jamie McCourt, maintains she is a co-owner of the Dodgers and has said she would put together an investor group in a bid to buy out Frank McCourt. He insists he is the sole owner of the franchise.

Cuban tried unsuccessfully to buy the Chicago Cubs and has said he might be interested in acquiring the Pittsburgh Pirates. He told the Times he would only be interested in owning the Dodgers if he could acquire a controlling share as part of an ownership group.

"I'm not a fan of debt-driven acquisitions," he told the newspaper in an e-mail. "If a unique situation came up where I could contribute capital to buy out a majority shareholder and gain control, with existing shareholders or note holders staying in place, I would consider it."

Court documents indicate there are no Dodgers shareholders outside the McCourt family, the Times said.