Chicagoist: Do You Want to Own The Cubs?

Chuck Sudo

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 21:04:19 -0600

Since the Cubs are headed for the 2007 World Series, isn't this discussion moot? Maybe you shouldn't have said that at all, jay, even in jest: "Soriano out at least a month with quad tear." I'm about to have a Nelson Muntz moment.

Jocelyn Geboy

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 13:13:19 -0600

what if those people set up a corporation?

guest

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 13:04:47 -0600

Only problem is that MLB already has a rule prohibiting public ownership, and the league has repeatedly declined suggestions to overturn the rule.

matty

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 12:36:25 -0600

1 billion for the cubs might be overvalued considering someone announced that if the yankees went for sale it would fetch 1.5 billion.

jay

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 12:36:06 -0600

Since the Cubs are headed for the 2007 World Series, isn't this discussion moot? Damn, I can't type that with a straight face...

guest

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 12:10:49 -0600

MLB has some special exemptions (anti-trust laws be damned) and has controls in place to choose from all reasonable bids whom they want to buy a team. See Boston's purchase a few years ago when John Henry wasn't the high bidder, but was deemed the more acceptable owner.

guest

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 12:09:40 -0600

letsbuythecubbies.com

guest

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 12:03:42 -0600

letsbuythecubbies.com does this too

guest

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 11:12:39 -0600

adding to Benjy's point, the MLB is very concerned about anti-trust laws. They're trying to prove they're not a trust and denying the highest bidder the right to purchase a team would go a long way towards showing that they are in fact a trust. Therefore, if Cuban bids the most the MLB would look very bad denying him the right to purchase the team. If Cuban wants the team, he'll probably get it. That being said, I think that Canning, along with some die-hard Cubs fans like Rich Melman and one of the Levy's would be good for Cubs fans.

Benjy Lipsman

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 11:05:31 -0600

An interesting battle could develop between the Tribune Co. and MLB, becuase as a public company the Trib has a responsibility to shareholders to get the highest possible price, while baseball may be more concerned with getting the "right" purchaser to buy the team. What happens if Cuban offers $1 billion and Canning only offers $850 million?

Dan Boland

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 10:57:46 -0600

shit, they let wayne huizenga buy the marlins and trash that team after he won a ring. Not to mention the hand Jeffrey Loria had in killing the Montreal Expos.

matty

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 10:53:07 -0600

"i don't understand how MLB or selig can stop someone from buying the team. if they are the highest bidder, why couldn't they buy it? shit, they let wayne huizenga buy the marlins and trash that team after he won a ring." Not sure but because the MLB is not a public company they have right of refusal for whatever reason. The owners want "RP" or the "right people" for the job, which really means that they will do the old white buddy club and not be a maverick, which is exactly the opposite of someone like cuban.

Jocelyn Geboy

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 10:47:56 -0600

i don't understand how MLB or selig can stop someone from buying the team. if they are the highest bidder, why couldn't they buy it? shit, they let wayne huizenga buy the marlins and trash that team after he won a ring.

Spook

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 10:19:32 -0600

I think it would be a great step forward for Chicago if a populist Cuban purchased the cubs, perhaps a free health clinic would be operated at the stadium, the players would form collective programs to fund inner city schools and scholarship funds, during half time progressive speakers would address the baseball fans! The combining of sports and progressive politics might very well be a revolutionary way to promote social change and growth in America! Salute!