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Larry Dolan

For the American Olympic luger, see Larry Dolan (luger).

Larry J. Dolan
Born(1931-02-08)February 8, 1931
Cleveland Heights, Ohio, U.S.
DiedFebruary 23, 2025(2025-02-23) (aged 94)
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
OccupationAttorney
Known forCleveland Guardians principal owner
Founder of SportsTime Ohio
Children6, including Matt Dolan and Paul J. Dolan
RelativesCharles Dolan (brother)
James L. Dolan (nephew)
Websitewww.mlb.com/guardians

Lawrence J. Dolan (February 8, 1931 – February 23, 2025) was an American attorney and the principal owner of the Cleveland Guardians of Major League Baseball (MLB) and the founder of SportsTime Ohio (now FanDuel Sports Network Great Lakes).

Early life and education

Dolan was born on February 8, 1931. He attended St. Ignatius High School and got his law degree from University of Notre Dame in 1956.[1] He also received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Cleveland State University.[2]

Professional career

Upon leaving Notre Dame, Dolan served in the United States Marine Corps for two years, where he attained the rank of first lieutenant.[3] Upon leaving the Marine Corps in 1958, Dolan worked as assistant prosecutor in Geauga County, Ohio before going into private practice.[3] He eventually became president and managing partner of Thrasher, Dinsmore, & Dolan in Chardon, Ohio.[3]

Cleveland Guardians owner

In 2000, Dolan (through a family trust) bought the Cleveland Guardians (then Indians) of Major League Baseball (MLB) for $323 million from Richard E. Jacobs, who, along with his late brother David H. Jacobs, had paid $35 million for the club in 1986. Jacobs had taken the team public in 1997.[4] As part of the deal, Dolan bought all of the stock at just over $12 a share, making the franchise privately held once again.[5] During his time as owner, the team experienced periods of competitiveness, including playoff runs in 2007, 2013, and making it to the World Series in 2016, as well as periods without success, including several seasons with over 90 losses.

While the team's player salaries were among the highest in MLB during Jacobs' final years as owner, at times they have been among the lowest under Dolan.[6] This led some fans to regard Dolan as miserly,[7] although other fans dispute the reputation.[8] After the team reached the 2016 World Series, the team acquired free agents Edwin Encarnación and Boone Logan.[9][10] However, both of these players were with other teams by 2019 in an attempt to reduce payroll, thus adding to both sides of the “miserly” argument between fans.[11]

In 2006, Dolan started SportsTime Ohio to broadcast the team's games; in 2012, it was sold to Fox Entertainment Group.

In November 2021, the baseball team officially changed its name to the Cleveland Guardians.[12]

Personal life and death

Dolan had six children; among them are Matt who was an Ohio state senator and is now an economic development leader in Northeast Ohio, and Paul J. who worked for his law firm and was since named as president, and later chairman, CEO, and controlling owner of the baseball team. Dolan said his children will eventually assume ownership of the team in his stead.

Dolan's nephew James L. Dolan owns the New York Knicks of the NBA and the New York Rangers of the NHL.

Dolan had three brothers, including businessman Charles Dolan.[13]

Dolan died in Cleveland on February 23, 2025, at the age of 94.[3][14]

Awards and honors

  • Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame inductee (class of 2014)[15]

References

  1. ^ Larry Dolan| Cleveland Indians Baseball | Cleveland Seniors Profile
  2. ^ Cleveland State University News Releases
  3. ^ a b c d "Cleveland Guardians owner Larry Dolan passes away at 94". MLB.com. February 24, 2025.
  4. ^ Sandomir, Richard (November 5, 1999). "BASEBALL; A Dolan Agrees to Purchase the Indians for $320 Million". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  5. ^ Details of Dolan Family ownership - Sports Business Daily.com
  6. ^ Roth, Phil. "MLB Past and Future Payrolls". Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  7. ^ Pluto, Terry (2008). Dealing: The Cleveland Indians' New Ballgame: How a Small-Market Team Reinvented Itself as a Major League Contender. Gray & Company. ISBN 978-1-59851-049-2.
  8. ^ Dery, Todd (April 8, 2015). "How the Indians Were Built Through a Series of Nifty Trades". Cleveland Scene. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  9. ^ Meisel, Zack (January 27, 2017). "Cleveland Indians owner Paul Dolan, on Edwin Encarnación's hefty contract: 'There's no better time than now'". Cleveland Plain Dealer. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  10. ^ Pluto, Terry (February 4, 2017). "Cleveland Indians have Terry Talkin' Boone Logan, ownership spending". Cleveland Plain Dealer. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  11. ^ "Cleveland Indians: Paul Dolan talks payroll, pitching and contention – Terry Pluto". March 15, 2019.
  12. ^ Bell, Mandy (November 19, 2021). "Guardians era officially arrives in Cleveland". MLB.com. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  13. ^ "Cleveland Guardians owner Larry Dolan passes away at 94". MLB.com. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  14. ^ Meisel, Zack. "Cleveland Guardians owner Larry Dolan dies at 94". The New York Times.
  15. ^ Cleveland sports HOF class of 2014 - Cleveland Sports Hall.com
Quelle: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Dolan