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As the bidding process on the Chicago Cubs continues, a new front-runner has emerged: one-time long-shot Mark Cuban is, according to insiders, the new favorite to land the team. We're sure it has nothing to do with the fact that he already owns a successful professional sports team. While NBA Commissioner David Stern already voiced his support for Cuban, the outspoken owner got a vote of support from an actual current MLB owner: John Henry of the Boston Red Sox. In an email to the New York Times, Henry said he could think, “of no one better suited to reverse the fortunes of the Cubs for the long term.” Henry also added, tongue-in-cheek, “The commissioner’s office abhors owners who speak their minds and fight for the rights of their respective franchises.” In his own email to the Times, Cuban said:
“The Cubs are an amazing franchise and brand,” Cuban wrote in an e-mail message. “I think the owner of any major sports franchise has two jobs: first, it’s to work hard to win a championship year after year, and second, to be the caretaker of the franchise in the community.”
For what it's worth, it seems most Cubs players are supportive of Cuban as a potential owner. Said Derrick Lee to the Trib:
"He's doing a great job in Dallas and I'm sure he would come in here and do a good job...He's passionate about winning. That's his main concern—putting a winning product out there—plus he's a lot of fun. He really gets into it. He's not just a guy who throws his money in and is hands-off. He's hands-on and involved, so I think it would be a lot of fun."We're sure those multiple playoff appearances for the Mavericks don't hurt either.
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That'd be great if this happens
As an Ex-Chicagoan stuck in Dallas, I can tell you firsthand that the man, while a little "out there" at times, is a great owner for a professional sports franchise.
I think it would be great if Cuban bought the team. And I'm a Sox fan! I think he would breathe some life into baseball. No downside to that!
But from what I understand the final say is up to our esteemed commisioner of baseball, Bud(I'm not really dumber than a post)Selig. Leaving any decision up to him is a bad move. I hope Cuban does get the team though.
Support he acquisition at http://www.cubanandthecubs.com
Not to be the turd in the punchbowl, but have you noticed how many championship celebrations Cuban has led in Big D? Zero.
I am scared that he will be one of those fan/owners who screws around with the team, rather than just writing the checks.
Sure, Cuban hasn't gotten the Mavs a ring, but he's a lot better than Dan Snyder.
Not to be the turd in the punchbowl, but have you noticed how many championship celebrations Cuban has led in Big D? Zero.
How many championshiop celebrations have the Cubs had since the Mavericks became a franchise? I'll take a steady string of winning seasons and division championships any time. I'm not setting my standards low, but I've been a Cub fan for a long time, and anything above a .500 record is positive. I've seen only 5 post seasons. The Mavs have been to the playoffs evey year since he bought the team.
I thought the final decision was up to the other baseball owners.
"Not to be the turd in the punchbowl, but have you noticed how many championship celebrations Cuban has led in Big D? Zero."
Okay, where to start.
First, if the list of potentials only consists of people who have won championships, then that is a little unrealistic. Nobody the Cubs hire will have a "championship ring" to flaunt around.
Second, the owner only "sets up" a team to be competitive. I can think of dozens of good owners who put good teams together and then did not win it all. the coach's have to coach and the players have to produce.
Third, even if a guy with a "championship" does own the Cubs, does that guarantee a Championship for the Cubs? Certainly not.
Someone mentioned an owner that will write the checks...great point! Write the checks, get a competitive team together, and hopefully fate (and luck) will bring a Championship home.
go cuban!! how the hell does selig get to make the call on this? man, that guy's a jagbag. i'm so embarrassed that he's at all associated with my former state. it's like having to claim dahmer, gein and mccarthy*. he's just terrible.
*not cause he's a serial killer commie hater, but because it's just embarrassing.
At first I didn't even think he'd get this far. But the endorsement from Stern does hold some weight. And it's still a matter of the rest of the owners giving him the green light, and I think that'd be his biggest obstacle. As somebody who bleeds Cubbie Blue (yeah I said it haha) I'm all for it, he has passion and will do what it takes to preserve the brand and legacy and also bring us a damn championship already!!!!
He blogs about some pretty cool stuff too:
www.blogmaverick.com