Major League Baseball on Wednesday named Ted Lerner as the Washington Nationals’ new owner, and though it didn’t back him, D.C. leaders said they are ready to work with the Bethesda developer to resurrect a struggling franchise.

Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig said the Lerner group will pay $450 million to take ownership of the team — four years after the 29 other team owners bought the former Montreal Expos for $120 million. Lerner’s future colleagues will vote on the selection in two weeks.

With a 9-18 record, slipping attendance and little television exposure, observers say the Nationals need an infusion of leadership and cash to turn the team around.

Selig said choosing an owner was one of the most difficult decisions he’s ever had to make. But the Lerners’ family model, stable leadership, diversity and solid baseball management tipped the scales, he said in a conference call with reporters.

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“I am confident the Lerners will be accountable to their fans and to baseball,” Selig said.

Lerner’s group includes former Atlanta Braves executive Stan Kasten, who is expected to run the Nationals’ day-to-day operations. The partnership with Kasten, a “great baseball executive,” helped Lerner win the team, Selig said.

A source close to Lerner said he’s long dreamed of owning a baseball team. The developer’s classy, respectful way of handling the deal helped him win in the end, the source said.

The decision was announced after two years of negotiations, which often left D.C. leaders out of the loop. Local legislators have said they might have been able to strike a better stadium deal had there been an owner at the table.

In the end, the District agreed to shell out $611 million for a new ballpark. A groundbreaking is scheduled for today.

Mayor Anthony Williams said Wednesday the team needs the stability of a single owner. Though he didn’t back the winner’s bid, Williams said the developer will “make an excellent owner and a good partner.”

“This is the final action to take this team from where it is to a great team,” said Ward 2 Council Member Jack Evans, who spoke with Lerner Wednesday. “The longer they delayed, the worse it was getting.”

City ready to build stadium

» Completed sale of $534.8 million in revenue bonds

» Interest rates range from 4.97 percent to 6.4 percent

» Average debt service is $38 million over 30 years

mneibauer@dcexaminer.com

Examiner Staff Writer Bill Myers contributed to this article.