Court denies McCourt's bid to get Dodgers job back

LOS ANGELES — The wife of Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt lost her bid to be reinstated as the team's chief executive Thursday during a hearing in the couple's messy divorce.

After arguments from both sides about whether Frank McCourt's decision to fire his wife should stand, Superior Court Commissioner Scott Gordon ruled that no state law supports Jamie McCourt's bid to get her job back.

However, Gordon has yet to decide whether the Dodgers are considered community or separate property. If he rules the team is community property, Jamie McCourt could argue again that she should be reinstated.

Her attorney argued she should be get her job back because of her claims that she co-owns the Dodgers. She also wanted more than $300,000 in spousal support and perks such as travel by private jet if she's reinstated.

Frank McCourt has said he fired his wife for allegedly cheating on him and doing a poor job heading the team. His attorney, Marc Seltzer, argued that it would be disruptive and create turmoil if his client's wife were renamed chief executive.

``There is no pressing need to change the situation right now,'' Seltzer told Gordon. ``It's a recipe for disaster.''

Jamie McCourt's attorney, Dennis Wasser, argued she should be reinstated at least until the divorce is resolved.

Frank McCourt promoted his wife to CEO in March, making her the highest-ranking woman in Major League Baseball. She was fired Oct. 22 and filed for divorce five days later, citing irreconcilable differences. The McCourts have been married since 1979 and have four grown sons.

The pending divorce threatens to throw the Dodgers' offseason in disarray and may crimp the team's ability to re-sign players or pursue free agents.

The Dodgers face the most potential players eligible for free agency with 16, including Manny Ramirez, who must decide if he will exercise his $20 million option for next season and return. Manager Joe Torre is entering the final season of his three-year contract.