Dodgers' Frank McCourt fires wife as CEO as couple seeks divorce

Dodgers owner Frank McCourt has fired wife Jamie as CEO of the team, the first shot in what promises to be bitter battle over the storied baseball team, SI.com has learned.

Jamie McCourt was fired within the last two days, according to several sources.

The McCourts are going through a divorce, and the sides are battling over the team. Frank McCourt is the chairman and highest ranking officer of the team. As CEO, Jamie was the second highest ranking officer. "Jamie was disappointed and saddened by her termination," Jamie McCourt's lawyer Dennis Wasser said. "As co-owner of the Dodgers, she will address this and all other issues in the court room."

Pressed as to how the co-owner could be fired, Wasser said, "That's a question the judge is going to have to answer."

In other words, this is not likely to be the last she's heard from, as she clearly intends to stake a claim to the franchise, which may be worth a billion dollars, or more.

Reached by phone Thursday afternoon, Frank McCourt declined comment.

The McCourts are expected to battle over control of the team. Jamie McCourt's lawyer said she owns 50 percent of the team. It remains unclear how her ownership stake affects her firing. Frank McCourt previously told the L.A. Times the team is his. The Dodgers were eliminated in five games in the NLCS by the Phillies. Frank McCourt sat with Dodger icon Tommy Lasorda at the deciding Game 5.