Dodgers fans have shown their discontent with shamed owner Frank McCourt through not attending games. Now, they are taking to the streets outside Dodger Stadium to voice their disgust out loud.
On Saturday, July 9th, as the Dodgers get set to take on the San Diego Padres inside the stadium and on national television, fans will be lining up outside the stadium to rally against the oppressive ownership that has been Frank McCourt.
The rally will be lead by a group of disgruntled Dodger fans, named "Mark Cuban Save the Dodgers!".
Roger Arrieta, the head of the hopeful group, shares some details about the rally.
"We can't afford to give him a single penny any longer," Arrieta claims. "So I figured if we hold a protest and boycott for that day when [the game] is being televised by FOX, we have a good shot at making a point."
Arrieta shares that the goal of the rally is to make their voices heard directly to McCourt.
"Hopefully we can be heard, and McCourt will [finally] realize that he is no longer welcome here," said Arrieta. "If he wants what is best for the Dodgers, then he needs to walk away."
The McCourt drama has impacted game attendance dramatically, with over 8,000 fewer fans attending games per game on average under last year.
Players have stated that what happens off the field has no effect on their performance on the field.
However, some fans, like Roger Arrieta, disagree.
"I believe that all this off the field has an affect on the players," says Arrieta. "It affects the way they play, as well as how they will go into the off-season when they are considering where they want to play."
One of the greatest nightmares for Dodger fans as of late has been the future of finances for the team. The contracts of young all-stars like Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp will be up at the end of this season, and many speculate that the Dodgers, or more specifically, Frank McCourt, will not be able to afford re-signing such talent, instead opting to go with cheaper, far-less-talented players on the field. It was revealed in court that McCourt siphoned off well over $100 million from the team's revenue to fund his personally lavish lifestyle, buying a private jet, four homes, country club memberships, a $150,000 hair dresser, and, oh yes, a $1 million soothsayer to "Think Blue".
The organized peaceful rally will begin at 12 noon at the corner of Sunset blvd and Elysian park, just outside the stadium grounds, and will last until about 3pm. Interested fans are encouraged to bring signs, and plenty of water. For more information visit www.markcubansavethedodgers.com/protest-rally .
As for the prospect of Mark Cuban being the next Dodgers owner, Arrieta states, "We all know he is a fan-friendly owner. Just imagine what he could do with the greatest fans in the world."
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