Dodgers Fight Forced Sale

Frank McCourt and the Los Angeles Dodgers intend to fight back against Major League Baseball's request that the embattled owner be forced to sell the team.

In a statement released Friday, the team called the league's motion to request a federal bankruptcy judge order the sale "meritless." It also claimed the motion "ignores the fact that the Commissioner has treated the Dodgers differently" from other teams.

The team also insisted it be allowed to continue with its Chapter 11 Bankruptcy case.

"The alternative offered today by Major League Baseball really amounts to an unnecessary and value destroying distressed sale of the Los Angeles Dodgers," the team said in the statement.

Special Section: The Changeup | Bankruptcy Protection Filing: Dodgers (PDF)

"The inaccuracies in the 'facts' recited in the motion and the false characterization of other matters are offensive and too numerous to mention," according to the Dodgers.

The team's statement was in response to a Los Angeles Times report Friday that the league requested that a federal bankruptcy judge order the sale of the team.

"Mr. McCourt cannot hide the Dodgers in bankruptcy forever," according to the filing obtained by the Times. "The only path to emergence is through a sale of the Dodgers."

The league could suspend the team, according to the Times.

"No one will pay the [Dodgers] to broadcast Dodgers games if the club is not part of Major League Baseball," according to the filing. "Consequently, the [Dodgers'] path in this case is a dead end or worse."

The Dodgers filed for bankruptcy protection on June 27. McCourt blamed the league for not approving a multi-billion dollar with Fox, which would have served as a financial lifeline for the embattled owner.

In April, MLB took control of the team.

The Dodgers plan on filling a response to the motion early next week.

Follow NBCLA for the latest LA news, events and entertainment: Twitter: @NBCLA // Facebook: NBCLA