Our long regional nightmare is almost over. The Los Angeles Dodgers have been in baseball limbo for close to a year -- albeit, a limbo that allowed them to hand out two-year deals like real-estate flyers this offseason -- but there should be a new ownership group for the team as soon as tomorrow. From the Los Angeles Times:

Major league owners are expected to approve the three remaining Dodgers bidders on Tuesday, enabling Frank McCourt to start an auction for the team on Wednesday.

By the time the auction is over -- late Wednesday, perhaps, or later this week -- the Dodgers are expected to be sold for a record price for a North American sports franchise.

The final three bidders are groups led by Steven Cohen and Patrick Soon-Shiong (never heard of 'em), Stan Kroenke (who?), and Magic Johnson (MAGIC JOHNSON!).

The auction is likely to start on Wednesday, and while it probably wont be a scenario with a guy talking really fast and holding a gavel while the three bidders hold a stick with a number attached to the end, it's a lot funnier if you pretend that's what it will be like.

Magic Johnson! He was that guy who was on The Simpsons! And he could be one of the new owners by the end of the week.