Report: Dodgers owners settle divorce

LOS ANGELES, June 17 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Dodgers owners Frank and Jamie McCourt have reached a settlement in their hotly contested divorce, sources told the Los Angeles Times.

The couple were due in Los Angeles County Superior Court Friday for a scheduled hearing on their divorce, which was filed 20 months ago.

Terms of the settlement were not available; however, the Dodgers are part of the assets the couple have been sparring over.

Judge Scott Gordon Thursday gave the couple until Friday to come to an agreement or else he would declare the proceedings to be an impasse, which would mean he could order the Dodgers to be sold.

In the meantime, questions over the final ownership of the team have held up the finalizing of a major new television contract Frank McCourt struck with Fox. Sources told the Times the Dodgers would likely not be able to meet future payrolls without the contract.

For Dodgers fans, a settlement would end a nagging discontent over the domestic wrangling that is seen as a distraction contributing to the team's mediocre performance in the National League West standings. The Dodgers had a 31-39 record Friday and were just one game ahead of the last-place San Diego Padres.