Exclusive | Dodgers owner Mark Walter drops hammer on notion he could sell team: No matter what

For months, one question has lingered over the Dodgers.With team owner Mark Walter facing a federal investigation into his business empire, and having unexpectedly sold his stakes in the Lakers and Chelsea Football Club this summer, would the billionaire businessman consider selling the Dodgers next?On Tuesday, in an exclusive interview with the California Post, Walter offered a definitive answer.“We’re going to keep the team no matter what,” he said.“We’re going to be winning for 10 years or more.

I think our commitment to do so will be just like it has been in the past.And, you know, we don’t win every year, but we’re going to try to.”In other words, just as everyone from team president Stan Kasten to president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has repeatedly reiterated in recent months, Walter plans on things being business as usual for his iconic baseball franchise.“I certainly hope we can look forward to winning another World Series next year under my ownership,” he said.

“And I think we’re just trying to win consistently, and do so for not just next season, but for the next decade and decades beyond that.”The team has spent the last couple of months spewing the same sentiment.But those words coming out of Walter’s mouth is notable.His comments came amid continued speculation surrounding the 66-year-old and his status as the team’s owner and chairman.Last year, the Justice Department and Securities and Exchange Commission began investigating potentially fraudulent loans made from insurance companies under his control to other businesses he owns.Weeks after that probe became public in July, he stunningly sold the Lakers to venture capitalist Josh Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Iger at a $12.5 billion valuation –– flipping the franchise barely a year after he had acquired a majority stake in it from the Buss family at a $10 billion valuation.Later in August, he also began a process with his business partner, Todd Boehl...