McCourts Are Named LA's power couple

Dodgers owners Frank and Jamie McCourt were honored in tthe most recent edition of the Los Angeles Business Journal, being named L.A.'s Power Couple of the Year. They were chosen because of the success of the defending NL West champion Dodgers on the field, as well as their efforts in the local community.

The Dodgers have made the playoffs three times since the McCourts took over in 2004 and attendance has seen an increase at Dodger Stadium. The McCourts also unveiled a $500 million plan in April to renovate Dodger Stadium to turn it into a year-round entertainment and dining destination.

And both are active in the community as the Dodgers have various initiatives such as the Dodgers Dream Foundation, ThinkCure and DodgersWIN (Women's Initiative Network).

The McCourts also are the lead investors in the Los Angeles Marathon as well. In addition, Jamie serves on six non-profit boards such as the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce; the Los Angeles Business Council; LA Inc., the Convention and Visitors Bureau; the Los Angeles Sports Council; and the Dodgers Dream Foundation.

"They have jumped into the community as fast as any couple I've ever seen," Gary Toebben, president of the Greater Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, told the Journal. "Their personalities make a great team that allows them to engage with the community while running a profitable business."

The newspaper chronicles the McCourts' transformation from owning a valuable parking lot in Boston to owning one of Los Angeles' crown jewels.

"I love day-to-day things, while my husband would be happy to do just big-picture things," Jamie told the newspaper. "We have complementary skill sets both at home and in business."

Both relish the fact that they work together even though they often are involved in different realms of the organization. Jamie is more involved in the community aspects of the organization while Frank works more on the business side.

"No question, baseball is something we have in common -- a true family affair," Frank told the newspaper. "You don't go home and say, 'Honey, what did you do all day?' You stay current about each other's lives in real time. That's a great advantage because the challenge busy people have is to stay connected."

The McCourts were also praised for organizing the Dodgers' yearlong celebration of the 50th anniversary of the franchise's move to Los Angeles from Brooklyn.

One of the key events of the celebration was the Dodgers' exhibition game at the Coliseum against the Red Sox, which drew 115,000 fans. And in March the Dodgers and the Padres played the first professional baseball exhibitions in China.

And in the process the McCourts put out a quality product on the field in 2008 as the Dodgers won the National League West. The Dodgers also won their first playoff series since 1988 when they defeated the Cubs in the Division Series. They ultimately lost in the NL Championship Series against the Phillies in five games, but it was a memorable season nonetheless.

"To come within three wins of the World Series is something to be proud of," Jamie said. "Of course, we want to win the whole thing and bring championship baseball to Los Angeles."