The finalists in the bidding to own the Dodgers include a group led by Magic Johnson, a group led by developer Rick Caruso and former Dodgers Manager Joe Torre, and East Coast hedge-fund giant Steven Cohen.
Blackstone Advisory Partners, the investment bank handling the sale for outgoing owner Frank McCourt, started to notify bidders Friday on whether they would continue in the process. At least eight bidders have advanced, a person familiar with the process said.
"The round of preliminary bidding has been completed successfully," the Dodgers said in a statement. The statement did not say how many bidders had advanced or set a timetable for the process. McCourt has agreed to identify the winning bidder by April 1.
MLB has agreed to approve up to 10 bidders, after which McCourt will select the winner.
-- Bill Shaikin
