Tony Ressler, Stanley Gold join list of prospective Dodgers owners

Tony Ressler, co-founder of a Los Angeles investment firm that controls more than $40 billion in assets, has expressed interest in pursuing the Dodgers, according to two people briefed on the matter who were not authorized to speak publicly.

The roster of prospective owners also now includes Stanley Gold, longtime chief of Burbank-based Shamrock Holdings, according to a person who required anonymity but is familiar with his discussions about the Dodgers. Gold is perhaps best known for joining with his Shamrock partner, Roy Disney, in a public push for the ouster of Michael Eisner as chief executive of the Walt Disney Co.

Ressler and Gold join a list of suitors that includes multibillionaire Steven Cohen, developer Rick Caruso and a group led by Magic Johnson.

Ressler, a minority investor in the ownership group that bought the Milwaukee Brewers in 2005, is married to actress Jami Gertz. Bill Mendel, a spokesman for Ressler, said he would neither confirm nor deny Ressler’s interest.

Ressler’s Ares Capital handles $42 billion in assets through offices in the United States, Europe and Asia, according to the firm’s website.

Ressler is friends with Mark Attanasio, the Los Angeles investment manager who heads the Brewers’ ownership group. It is unclear whether Ressler remains an investor in that group. Attanasio is not involved in the Dodgers bidding.

Gold did not return a message Friday. He has met with investors who might join him in a Dodgers bid, according to a person briefed on those discussions.

bill.shaikin@latimes.com

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