McCourts’ Son May Have Role

The eldest son of Frank and Jamie McCourt, the Boston real estate magnates who have an agreement in principle to purchase the Dodgers from News Corp., is assisting in the transition process and might have an official role with the club once the sale is completed, baseball officials said Wednesday.

Drew McCourt, 22, has been involved in meetings this week at Dodger Stadium, working with his parents’ point man, Corey Busch, in preparation for the franchise changing hands if the deal is approved, as expected, in a vote of owners next month.

Busch continues to oversee the process for the McCourts, who recently returned to Los Angeles from their home in Brookline, Mass., and the Dodgers’ prospective buyers have encouraged Drew to become familiar with the operation, a person close to the McCourts said.

A recent graduate of Columbia University, Drew is part of the team laying groundwork for expected sweeping changes. It is possible that Drew, who has three younger brothers, might pursue other career options, but he also could become the third McCourt in the reorganized front office.

Although the McCourts have only announced an official title for Frank, who will be the club’s next managing partner, baseball officials believe Jamie, vice president and general counsel of the couple’s successful real estate development firm, will have a major say in the club’s day-to-day operations.

A high-ranking official in the commissioner’s office described her as “brilliant,” and Commissioner Bud Selig, baseball’s leading proponent of front-office diversity, would presumably welcome having another woman in a high-profile position.

Meanwhile, baseball officials said the McCourts, who plan to purchase a house in Los Angeles, are making progress identifying whom they want to recruit for their management team.

They already have some people in place, officials said, and there is widespread industry belief that the McCourts will actively pursue Oakland General Manager Billy Beane once the sale is approved.

Beane is considered one of the best baseball-operations executives, and many close to Beane said he rejected a lucrative offer to run the Boston Red Sox last November because he wants to remain on the West Coast.

His daughter lives in Orange County, and Beane is believed to view the Dodger resources as attractive after several years of coping with a small-market payroll. Attempts to contact Beane were unsuccessful.

The McCourts also have been busy back in Boston, planning to possibly sell their property in the South Boston waterfront area. Their bid to purchase the Dodgers is not contingent on selling the land, a person familiar with the McCourts’ plans said.