Cuban to buy Cubs?

killtaker · 07-13-2007, 12:06 AM

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2934920

Report: Cuban submits application, joins crowded field of Cubs' suitors

Fans of the Windy City's lovable losers can count a maverick NBA owner among those interested in purchasing the Chicago Cubs.

The Chicago Tribune reports that Mark Cuban says that he has submitted his application to Major League Baseball to purchase the Cubs. Cuban, who has owned the NBA's Dallas Mavericks since January of 2000 and is known for his free-spending ways, told the newspaper he sent the paperwork in last week.

Cuban's efforts to enter the already crowded field to purchase the team is being met with some speculation. The Tribune summed up Cuban's efforts to buy the team in its Thursday edition as follows: "And while Internet billionaire Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, has expressed interest, most observers think Major League Baseball would balk at a potential owner as unpredictable and outspoken as Cuban."

When e-mailed by the Tribune to respond to the sentence, Cuban replied via e-mail: "I never comment on 'most observers' reports. It's like responding to a random blog post, a waste of time."

The Tribune Co. announced it would sell the team at season's end in April, after the ailing media conglomerate announced its acquisition by billionaire investor Sam Zell. It put one of sports' most storied and star-crossed franchises on the block, a year shy of the 100th anniversary of its last World Series title.

Zell, a real estate magnate who already owns part of his hometown Bulls and White Sox, did not comment about why he's was not interested in keeping the Cubs in connection with the $8.2 billion deal. The team is one of Tribune's richest assets.

Cuban faces some stiff competition among suitors for the Cubs. The Tribune reported Thursday that the Ricketts family, which founded discount broker TD Ameritrade Holding Corp., has joined the list of potential bidders.

Sources close to the situation said the Ricketts family is readying their application MLB requires for all parties wishing to bid on a franchise. The group is led by Thomas Ricketts, 41, who is the founder and chief executive of the Chicago-based investment firm, Incapital Holdings LLC.

Thomas Ricketts is the son of J. Joe Ricketts, an Omaha billionaire who founded Ameritrade. Forbes Magazine this year estimated the Ricketts' family worth is $2.3 billion.

The Tribune reports other bidders include John Canning, who heads the Chicago-based private-equity firm Madison Dearborn Partners and is a part-owner of the Milwaukee Brewers. Additionally, a partnership of restaurateur Larry Levy and Chicago business owner Craig Duchossois is also thought to be interested in entering the fray.

Don Levin, who owns the Chicago Wolves minor league hockey team has said he is interested in bidding for the team, as is a partnership of Chicago attorney Thomas Mandler and area businessman Jim Anixter. A group led by industrialist and private-equity investor Thomas Begel may also try bidding on the Cubs, the newspaper reports.

Bidding for the ballclub and historic Wrigley Field, however, is certain to be fiercely competitive. Analysts have estimated the Cubs could fetch $600 million or more, a far cry from the $20.5 million Tribune paid in 1981.

JaWindex · 07-13-2007, 12:20 AM

Wow, my hate for both sides greatly deepened. Didn't think that could happen.

MadMax · 07-13-2007, 08:24 AM

As if I didn't hate the Chicago Cubs enough, already.

weslinder · 07-13-2007, 08:41 AM

Loser

pirc1 · 07-13-2007, 08:44 AM

Actually if Cuban buys cubs I bet they improve within two years.

A-Train · 07-13-2007, 08:45 AM

Why the hate for the Cubs? They've been relatively harmless.

Cuban would suck hard as an MLB owner, at least if he tried to run the Cubs like the Mavericks...

weslinder · 07-13-2007, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pirc1

Actually if Cuban buys cubs I bet they improve within two years.

If Charles Phelps Taft, William Wrigley, Jr., Philip K. Wrigley, William Wrigley III, and Tribune Company couldn't do it, what makes you think Cuban can?

MadMax · 07-13-2007, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A-Train

Why the hate for the Cubs? They've been relatively harmless.
...

Always hated the Cubs. Ridiculously bandwagon with WGN. Michael Barrett didn't help, either. The fights with the 'stros in recent years.

Major · 07-13-2007, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weslinder

If Charles Phelps Taft, William Wrigley, Jr., Philip K. Wrigley, William Wrigley III, and Tribune Company couldn't do it, what makes you think Cuban can?

$$ and commitment to winning.

macalu · 07-13-2007, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weslinder

If Charles Phelps Taft, William Wrigley, Jr., Philip K. Wrigley, William Wrigley III, and Tribune Company couldn't do it, what makes you think Cuban can?

did anyone ever think the Mavs would be any good?

Achilleus · 07-13-2007, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMax

Always hated the Cubs. Ridiculously bandwagon with WGN. Michael Barrett didn't help, either. The fights with the 'stros in recent years.

Still bitter about them nabbing Ricky Gutierrez from the Astros ?

MadMax · 07-13-2007, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Achilleus

Still bitter about them nabbing Ricky Gutierrez from the Astros ?

Uh, no. :D

Nothing to be bitter about with the Cubs. The Astros have it all over the Cubs, particularly over the course of the past 10 years. I just don't like them. Never really have.

oomp · 07-13-2007, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMax

Ridiculously bandwagon with WGN.

TBS and the Braves is much worse. Toss in Yankee and Red Sox bandwagoners and you have the perfect storm of "I've been with 'em all along" fans.

I don't mind the Cubs (unless they're playing the Astros), this could be a good move for both sides. We won't hear from Cuban while he's in MLB land, and Cubs might get an owner that would throw money at their problems.

MadMax · 07-13-2007, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oomp

TBS and the Braves is much worse. .

not anymore. i don't see the braves "fans" out in force any more at games in Houston.

oomp · 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMax

not anymore. i don't see the braves "fans" out in force any more at games in Houston.

That isn't because of WGN. That's because alot of midwesterners are in Houston.

One of my favorite baseball items I own is Cubs/Astros related.

May 11, 1992 Cubs press release for a game with the Astros at the Dome signed by Harry Caray "Holy Cow" after the game.

MadMax · 07-13-2007, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oomp

That isn't because of WGN. That's because alot of midwesterners are in Houston.

it's both.

Rocket G · 07-13-2007, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A-Train

Why the hate for the Cubs? They've been relatively harmless.

Cuban would suck hard as an MLB owner, at least if he tried to run the Cubs like the Mavericks...

Are you serious?

They are division rivals - isn't that reason enough?

Supermac34 · 07-13-2007, 11:49 AM

Just what we need, a division rival willing to spend east coast type money on his team.

Faos · 07-13-2007, 11:58 AM

Drayton's worst nightmare. A team in the central division not afraid to spend money.

Nick · 07-13-2007, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supermac34

Just what we need, a division rival willing to spend east coast type money on his team.

Have you seen the Cubs payroll the last few years? They already do that.

The big problem with them is that they could have been doing this for years... the Tribune company sat on tons of profits for a team with a HUGE media deal, and who sells out every game during the summer months.

Additionally, there's the fact that re-investing that money hasn't translated to the kind of success that the Red Sox and Yankees have had... it still boils down to player development, and the type of guys you're getting with the big contracts/trades you're doing.

If Cuban hires a competent GM that isn't just about throwing money at the best fantasy players out there (a Dave Dombrowski-type), then his resources + good decision making could indeed be scary.