Colletti said Wednesday he hasn't spoken with McCourt or anyone from MLB yet, but he expects to hear from someone in the league office soon. He added that while he didn't know whom he would report to, he didn't think the situation would negatively impact his ability to run the team.
"The Rangers last year went to the World Series and acquired Cliff Lee and Bengie Molina," Colletti said. "I don't think this is in place to hinder the Dodgers."
In December, Superior Court Judge Scott Gordon in Los Angeles invalidated a March 2004 postnuptial agreement giving Frank McCourt sole ownership of the team, allowing Jamie to seek one half of the franchise.
"It's unfortunate what the organization and the team is going under the last couple of years," Dodgers right fielder Andre Ethier said Wednesday. "There's a lot of people in the city and the fans who want to see a good Dodgers organization, a good Dodgers team and be proud of it. I know there's a lot of players in this locker room that want to make this come true for the fans in this city, the die-hards that want to be here every day for us. There's nothing we want to do more than win and make them proud of us."
Mattingly was surprised by the news, but didn't anticipate any negative effects on the team's on-field performance.
"Yeah, I was surprised because you don't think about it," Mattingly said Wednesday. "But, really, this shouldn't affect us at all. They're still not going to have any control over if we make good pitches or get good pitches to hit or we make plays. It shouldn't have any effect on what we do on the field. I'm sure there will be a little more media attention over the next few days and maybe over the next few months, but still, it shouldn't have any effect on how we play."
Selig's move came after The Los Angeles Times reported this week that Frank McCourt had arranged a $30 million loan from Fox, the team's television partner. Selig has not approved a $200 million loan from Fox to the club, which was first proposed by the Dodgers last summer, and the Times said the money was needed to make payroll.
The team has been criticized for its poor security since Giants fan Bryan Stow was beaten as he left Dodger Stadium following the season opener. Stow remains in a medically induced coma.
Entering Wednesday, the Dodgers had averaged 39,205 fans per game, down 11 percent from their average last season.
"As the 50 percent owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, I welcome and support the commissioner's actions to provide the necessary transparency, guidance and direction for the franchise and for Dodgers fans everywhere," Jamie McCourt said in a statement.
The Dodgers have not won the World Series since 1988, the longest barren stretch for the franchise since winning its first title as the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1955.
"I commend baseball commissioner Bud Selig's [wresting] control of the Dodgers and bringing integrity back to the game," Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich said. "It is my hope that the commissioner appoints a representative from the O'Malley family to oversee the team's business affairs during the investigation -- a return of the O'Malley family to the Dodgers would be a home run for fans and the Dodgers."
Walter O'Malley first owned part of the team starting in 1944. After he died in 1979, his son Peter and daughter Terry assumed ownership before selling to the Fox Group in 1997.
The McCourts purchased the Dodgers from Fox, a subsidiary of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp., for $430 million in 2004. Payroll dropped in both 2010 and 2011; even though it stands at nearly $104 million, the Dodgers were 12th among the 30 teams on Opening Day.
"My office will continue its thorough investigation into the operations and finances of the Dodgers and related entities during the period of Mr. McCourt's ownership," Selig said. "The Dodgers have been one of the most prestigious franchises in all of sports, and we owe it to their legion of loyal fans to ensure that this club is being operated properly now and will be guided appropriately in the future."
Selig's move might be seen by some as a precedent should the New York Mets have additional financial problems. With owners Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz under pressure from a lawsuit tied to the Bernard Madoff swindle, the Mets borrowed $25 million last year from Major League Baseball. Unlike the McCourts, Wilpon is a longtime friend of Selig.
Matt Kemp and the rest of his Dodgers teammates aren't worried about who will be signing their future paychecks now that baseball is taking control of the troubled franchise.
"All I'm worried about is playing baseball and winning games. That's it," Kemp said Wednesday.
Kemp added: "I don't want to go anywhere else. This is what I know, being a Dodger. I've been here, been with the Dodgers for nine years. I got drafted by them. This is all I know. All my friends are here. I have a lot of friends out here in L.A. This is where I want to be. But, like I said, you never know what happens. I can't control any of that stuff."
Frank McCourt sent an email message sent to Dodgers employees on Wednesday, according to an MLB.com report.
"In light of the Commissioner's announcement today, I ask that you please continue to conduct business as usual with our complete dedication to the game and our loyal fans," McCourt wrote in the email, according to MLB.com. "Each of you has represented this organization with class, and while this is no doubt a challenging time for all of us, I truly appreciate your efforts."
Beyond that, though, no one on the team or in the stands is sure what to expect.
"It's sad," said Tom Lasorda, who managed the Dodgers to their last World Series title in 1988 and serves as special adviser to McCourt.
"I've spent 62 years in this organization and I've never seen anything like this happen. Frank loved the Dodgers. A lot of people may not realize that, but he really loved the Dodgers."
McCourt has drawn the ire of Dodgers fans throughout his tenure, especially after details of the couple's lavish lifestyle and spending came out during their divorce hearing.
"Maybe he'll have to sell a few of his homes," said Lee Kracker, a 35-year season-ticket holder from Brea, Calif.
Kracker said she thought McCourt's purchase was a good thing at the time "because they were a family like the O'Malleys. You want that family feeling."
The Dodgers were long considered one of baseball's glamour franchises, with such greats as Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella, Duke Snider and Sandy Koufax on the roster.
"I'm in shock about the whole issue," said former pitching great Don Newcombe, who has been in the organization for 56 years, including the last 41 as director of community relations.
Information from ESPN.com's Jayson Stark, ESPNLosAngeles.com's Ramona Shelburne, Blair Angulo and The Associated Press was used in this report.