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What's the surest way for the Cubs to overcome a century of futility, and finally become a franchise dead set on winning? Let Mark Cuban buy the team.
While the Tribune Company has reiterated that the Cubs are not for sale, didn't President Bush say just days ago that he knew nothing of Treasury Secretary John Snow's departure? So, just because it's denied certainly doesn't mean that it's not true...
And just in case the Cubs actually are on the block, Texas billionaire and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has announced he'd be interested in buying the Cubs. His ownership could be the best way to turn the "lovable losers" into annual title contenders -- just as he's done with the Dallas Mavericks.
The outspoken founder of Broadcast.com has proven that he's willing to do whatever it takes to win, from paying handsomely for players who can help improve his team, to building the most extensive training and coaching program in the NBA, to sticking up for his players and fans even when it means drawing large fines from the league. He's proven to be a fan first, businessman second, when running the Mavs.
Some may dislike his brash personality and his seeming need to be seen and heard everywhere. How many billionaires or team owners write their own blog, even! And while Chicagoist may not agree with everything he says and does, we love his passion for sports. He's living every sports fan's ultimate dream of playing fantasy sports with an actual team. We know we've been guilty on dozens of occasions of stating, "When I'm a billionaire and can buy the White Sox/Bulls/Bears..." We're still about a billion short, so we can't help but pull for those who've been able to fulfill our dream.
We're sure there will be those who will blast him as a carpetbagger, just as they knocked some of us here at Chicagoist, but will that matter so much to Cubs fans when the team finally wins a World Series? For that matter, isn't having an individual as owner better than being owned by a faceless corporation -- even one based in Chicago?
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Blowhard with lots of money meets 30,000 blowhards with lots of money, what a match!
Yes, we'll take the deal! Mark would put us closer to a World Series more than any player out there. I went to the game last night. Although they won, the most exciting thing that happened was the guy who got trapped under the tarp during the rain delay.
I, for one, would actually be a big fan of this. I love the idea of Cuban turning that team around. If only so that when I cheer against the Cubs, it's becuase they could actually beat the team I'm cheering for...
Blowhard with lots of money meets 30,000 blowhards with lots of money, what a match!
Yeah, because Reinsdorf is in the poorhouse and there is absolutely no signs at all of gentrification around the Cell. Stop being such a hater, NSH. Do you own property? Congratulations--you have more money than me, and I'm a Cubs fan...
I would love to see Cuban buy the Cubs. I think it's great that he's a fan first, and a businessman second. Besides, Chicago company or not, the Tribune Co. has never put the city of Chicago or the Cubs fans first--it's always been about increasing shareholder value for them...
Mike H you are spot on with your love for this guy, he will fit in perfectly when he takes his seat in the Bud Light(R) bleachers.
Cuban would certainly bring an unorthodox fan element to the mix. I, for one, am behind it. And if the Cubs continue to suck, well, at least Mr. Cuban would make it interesting.
Maybe he could introduce fireworks everytime the Cubs make an error (lots of fireworks!) or offer some kind of promotion everytime the Cubbies blow a lead in the 8th!
We could at least look for his colorful commentary next time there's another fight on the field. It's a perfect match!
Cuban would be great for the Cubs, but I don't think it is going to happen. We wrote a blog about it at www.jaythejoke.com. It discusses why Jay Mariotti would actually write about this.
Cuban would be great for the Cubs, but I don't think it is going to happen. We wrote a blog about it at www.jaythejoke.com. It discusses why Jay Mariotti would actually write about this.
I'm a big fan of Cuban (I adored his Dairy Queen stunt a few years back). The Cubs, I think, could benefit from an owner like Cuban... but not Mark Cuban himself.
I cannot imagine that Cuban would have enough time to devote to two professional sports franchises, where he could realistically sit on the sideline for every home game (as he apparently does with the Mavs), and still be Superfan #1 for each team. If he took ownership of an MLB team, he'd have to give up on being such a big fan of his NBA frachise.
A smart guy who developed a technological advancement so good he became a self-made billionaire does not really fit the definition of blowhard. Sure he's a bit cocky, but who wouldn't be if they had ten figures in the bank, particuarly when they made it themselves.
I love it! Cub fans adore Cuban, Barrett & Zambozo, yet they despise A.J.??
since when do cubs fans care about winning?
i'll believe that when i see empty seats.
Stephen - Reinsdorf owns the Bulls and the Sox and made Champions out of both. Not at the same time, mind you, but he did it nonetheless. Cuban could probably do the same.
While I'm a Sox partisan, I have to say that Cuban would almost surely be better for the Cubs than the Tribune is. The Cubs need a passionate owner desperately.
As for Cuban being a 'carpetbagger', he would be one but then again, a sizable percentage of so-called Cubs fans are transplants themselves. It'd be interesting to see what percentage of white collar immigrants adopt the Cubs versus the Sox. Thanks to the high school/frat house groupthink dynamic present amongst this crowd, I'm assuming the number is north of 90%.
matty - do you see Reinsdorf in the same light as Cuban - "fan first, businessman second"? I feel like Cuban's emotional investment in the Mavs is pretty unique to professional sports ownership. But I'll admit I don't know much about Reinsdorf's passion for the Sox (or Bulls).
As a businessman, Reinsdorf proves it's possible to own two franchises and have both be excellent performers. Certainly Cuban could pull it off as a businessman. I just question whether he could do it as the devoted "fan first, businessman second" Mavs fan that he is.
I guess I'm just sayin' think the Cubs would benefit most from someone like Cuban, who is 100% devoted to ONE pro team and doesn't hide it.
since when do cubs fans care about winning?
i'll believe that when i see empty seats.
And it took a World Series before the Sox could fill their stadium with any regularity, even with past winning records. That leads me to believe that there are many more Southside Sox bandwagon-jumpers out there than actual die-hard fans...
Cuban says that he might buy a team that is not currently up for sale. Maybe a real story, but it sounds like a publicity stunt to me.
This is America. Anything and everything is up for sale at the right price...
this is probably just a case of jay m. being a wanker (see just about every column ever written by jay. m, e.g.). that said, it'd be the best thing in the world for the cubbies to get this team out of tribco's hands. big corporations run sports teams about as well as they run record labels (see the last 25 years of the music business, e.g.).
I always hated the Yankees because to me they are the best team that money can buy. They seem to have forgotten the old tune "You've Gotta Have Heart" from DAMN YANKEES. One of the outstanding things about the Sox winning last year was that they had heart. Enough said.
Anyone besides the Tribune would be a better owner- 'DUH'.
Thanks to the high school/frat house groupthink dynamic present amongst this crowd, I'm assuming the number is north of 90%.
Yea -um- have you noticed all the groupthink that accompanied like a 1,000% increase in Sox fans since last year. I think if people come to Chicago and decide to be Cubs fans it is because they had enough sense to move to Chicago in the first place.
So you are probably right- most Sox fans were born on the South Side and didn't have enough sense to move out.
After reading the above I will refer the class back to the first line of the comment section.
I'm from Dallas originally, and Mark Cuban did wonders down there. I would love to see him own the Cubs and give that team a total turnaround.
I've seen Mark Cuban at a few Cubs games and I would love to see him buy the Cubs. He would do everything he possibly could to get the Cubs a World Series trophy. Please sell to Mark Cuban Tribune Company!!!!!!!!
Blowhard with lots of money meets 30,000 blowhards with lots of money, what a match!
Actually, it should be 40,000 blowhards with money.
Cuban is the right man for the job. I just found this cool site that is trying to create some buzz in the Chicago area.
http://www.cubanandthecubs.com