Any open bidding on the Dodgers' cable TV rights would presumably include Time Warner Cable, which earlier this year made a deal to launch English- and Spanish-language networks in 2012 dedicated to the Los Angeles Lakers (ending a Fox cable run that dates back to the 1980s). The Dodgers could be a heady complement for the new Time Warner outlets, despite the baseball team's current turmoil. Said Selig in a statement: "We have consistently communicated to Mr. McCourt that any potential solution to his problems that contemplates mortgaging the future of the Dodgers franchise to the long-term detriment of the club, its loyal fans and the game of baseball would not be acceptable. … The action taken today by Mr. McCourt does nothing but inflict further harm to this historic franchise."