Dodgers executive was paid almost a fourth of club’s charity budget in 2007, report says

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Some day there will be good news that springs from Dodgers ownership.

Not today, though. And recent history suggests, not any time soon.

The latest public relations black eye to Frank McCourt & Co. comes courtesy of the New York Times, which reported Friday that a high-ranking team executive was paid almost one-fourth of its team charity’s budget in 2007.

Howard Sunkin, a senior vice president who is McCourt’s liaison in public affairs, was paid over $400,000 when the entire Dodgers Dream Foundation budget in 2007 was $1.6 million.

The NYT said his compensation was more in line for a charity of over $100 million. He was reportedly working 40 hours a week for the foundation, while also advising McCourt on dealings with politicians and business leaders.

Sunkin would not comment for the story. Team spokesman Josh Rawitch said in a statement the 2007 compensation actually included a bonus for achieving a three-year goal of expanding the charity’s mission and community reach.
The latest report follows a Los Angeles Times article that said Frank and Jamie McCourt, now involved in a contentious divorce, had not paid federal income taxes since 2004 and paid his two sons $600,000, though one had another full-time job and the other was in grad school.

And, of course, The Times’ infamous story that the McCourts had hired a Russian healer in the Boston area to send positive energy to the Dodgers.

-- Steve Dilbeck