<div id="subtitle">Court denies Jamie McCourt's bid to be reinstated as chief executive of LA Dodgers</div><div><p>The wife of Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt lost her bid Thursday to be reinstated as the team's chief executive during a hearing in the couple's messy divorce.</p><p>Jamie McCourt, 55, was fired last month by her husband, who claims she was having an affair with her bodyguard-driver, also a Dodger employee who was fired, and was doing a poor job in her role as chief executive.</p><p>Superior Court Commissioner Scott Gordon ruled that no state law supports Jamie McCourt's bid to get her job back.</p><p>However, Gordon has yet to decide whether the Dodgers are considered community or separate property.</p><p>The McCourts are feuding over the validity of their 2004 marital agreement, in which Frank McCourt is listed as the team's sole owner.</p><p>"Whether it's valid or not will be a substantial issue," said Gordon, whose chambers have an unobstructed view of Dodger Stadium.</p><p>If he rules the team is community property, Jamie McCourt could argue again that she should be reinstated.</p><p>Jamie McCourt's attorneys argued during the hearing that she should be reinstated because of her claims that she co-owns the Dodgers. If reinstated, she wants $321,000 a month in spousal support as well as perks such as travel by private jet.</p><p>If she isn't reinstated, she is seeking nearly $488,000 a month in support.</p><p>The couple's worth is estimated at more than $1.2 billion, according to court documents.</p><p>Frank McCourt's attorney, Marc Seltzer, argued that it would create turmoil for the team if his client's wife was renamed chief executive.</p><p>"There is no pressing need to change the situation right now," Seltzer told Gordon. "It's a recipe for disaster."</p><p>Dennis Wasser, an attorney for Jamie McCourt, countered that she should be reinstated at least until the divorce is resolved.</p><p>Frank McCourt, 56, promoted his wife to CEO in March, making her the highest-ranking woman in Major League Baseball. She was fired Oct. 21 and filed for divorce six days later, citing irreconcilable differences.</p><p>The McCourts have been married since 1979 and have four grown sons.</p><p>The divorce and its impact on the front office threatens to throw the Dodgers' offseason in disarray and crimp the team's ability to re-sign players and pursue free agents.</p><p>The Dodgers have 16 players potentially eligible for free agency, including slugger 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.</p><p>The team's 2009 payroll was just north of $100 million, ranking ninth highest in the majors. The Dodgers are currently worth $800 million, according to court documents filed by Jamie McCourt.</p><p>Her camp has indicated she has talked with investors in an attempt to buy out her estranged husband.</p><p>"This lady eats, lives, breathes Dodgers," Wasser said.</p><p>Marshall Grossman, an attorney for the Dodgers, said the divorce proceedings haven't affected the team.</p><p>"It truly is business as usual," he said.</p><p>In related matters, Gordon removed the team as a party to the McCourt's divorce case because it lacked standing.</p><p>Both sides agreed Jamie McCourt can use an indoor swimming pool at the couple's posh Holmby Hills home across the street from the Playboy Mansion between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m.</p><p>Another hearing is set for Dec. 15.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=62773337&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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