The Los Angeles Dodgers officially announced the additions of Robert L. Plummer and Alan Smolinisky to the team’s ownership group. They join Peter Gruber, Stan Kasten, Billie Jean King, Illana Kloss, Magic Johnson, Bobby Patton and Mark Walter.
When Guggenheim Baseball Management purchased the Dodgers from Frank McCourt in 2012, their ownership comprised of Gruger, Kasten, Johnson and Walter. King and Kloss were added in September 2018.
“The two newest members are both civic-minded, accomplished businessmen and lifelong Dodger fans,” Walter said. “We are proud of having built a very strong ownership group, and Robert and Alan will certainly add to that strength.
I look forward to having them join us for this exciting postseason run in October.”
Plummer is the chairmen and CEO of R.P. Lumber Co., Inc., a retail home center and building materials supplier with locations in Illinois and Missouri. Plummer additionally operates and invests in real estate, hospitality, banking, agriculture and other industries.
Plummer famously developed a real estate area, “Ebbets Field,” in Edwards, Ill., with the project including several streets named after Dodgers players and managers.
“I have been a fan of the Dodgers since my Little League days, and my involvement with the club is a dream come true,” Plummer said.
Smolinisky, a graduate of the University of Southern California, is a principal at Conquest Housing, a private investment company that operates in real estate, publicly traded securities and other entrepreneurial ventures.
He additionally is the owner of the Palisadian-Post newspaper which has been serving the Pacific Palisades for more than 90 years.
“I’m a lifelong Dodger fan and to now be a part of their ownership group is an exciting opportunity and time for me and my family,” Smolinisky said.
The Dodgers are believed to have previously explored the possibility of selling a portion of the team to a group from South Korea, though a deal never came to fruition. The team reportedly gauged interest from international investors again in August 2018.
Guggenheim bought the Dodgers from McCourt for a record $2.15 billion. In June 2017, the ownership group reportedly valued the franchise at $2.5 billion. That was less than $2.75 billion valuation at the time placed on the team by Forbes, which has since grown to $3.3 billion this season.
The Dodgers’ value has increased not only through on-field results as winners of seven consecutive National League West titles and back-to-back World Series appearances, but the renovation and upgrades Dodger Stadium is poised to undergo this winter.
Like when a portion of the team was sold to King and Kloss, Walter remains the Dodgers’ controlling owner.
