What are the Dodgers worth?

Dr. Evil: Here's the plan. We get the warhead and we hold the world ransom for... ONE MILLION DOLLARS!
Number Two: Don't you think we should ask for more than a million dollars? A million dollars isn't exactly a lot of money these days. Virtucon alone makes over 9 billion dollars a year!
Dr. Evil: Really? That's a lot of money.
[pause]
Dr. Evil: Okay then, we hold the world ransom for... One... Hundred... BILLION DOLLARS!!

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)

After the Dodgers filed for bankruptcy and more details came out about the team's finances came out, I began to wonder how Frank McCourt could find a way to make a buck on the sale. I mean just because he thought they were worth a billion plus, I had no belief anyone would pay that.

Take a look at the picture attached to this story, it is my copy of "The Incredible Hulk" No. 181. Several years ago, I had that comic book graded and it was deemed to be an 8.0. Over the years, I have seen copies with the same grade sell for $600 to $900. But I have also seen folks try to sell this very same comic book for $1000 and watched it sit there unsold.

How much do I think my copy is worth. Well it is more that what I bought for back in 1981, 1982 but to be honest, in the end it is only worth what someone would pay for it.

In 2011, Forbes valued the Dodgers (the team, Dodger Stadium and the parking lots) at $800M. There has been an ongoing dispute between Forbes and MLB, owners and other media regarding these annual articles however since I don't have access to bid book that the Dodgers sent out to potential bidders, this will have to do as a baseline.

After the settlement between MLB and Frank McCourt in November 2011, you began hear that McCourt would need to make 1.1 to 1.2 Billion just to pay his debts, taxes and Jamie McCourt. That didn't seem possible without McCourt having to sell the adjoining land and maybe even bring in a media rights partner.

But then the bidders began to surface and you started to hear the billion dollar figure tossed around and now it has been reported that each of the five remaining bidders believe the team (and just the team, not including the parking lots) is worth between $1.3 to $1.6 Billion dollars.

Yesterday, Forbes valued the 2012 Dodgers at $1.4 Billion, a 75% increase from 2011. Keep in mind this came after it was reported what the market was willing to pay so I am not sure that in the end this what the Dodgers are worth.

But remember this, this will be the best time to buy the Dodgers, you have a pending media rights deal that will probably be for many many years, you have a fan base that is ready to jump back on the Dodger bandwagon and you have the luxury of following Frank McCourt, not exactly like following Phil Jackson or John Wooden (sorry, couldn't think of a Dodger example).

In a little more than a week, a new owner will be announced and by the time May rolls around, that owner will have the keys to Chavez Ravine. Will the new owner look back and wonder if the Dodgers were a good buy or not, that question will remain for some time. But regardless, fans hope that money doesn't stop at what goes to Frank, they will want to see even more money put into the team starting on May 1st.