A Bleacher Bum Owner

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Oct 9, 2007 1:46PM

Fans can expect another busy offseason for the Cubs. And while last winter was spent courting the likes of Alfonso Soriano and Ted Lilly, this year's focus is going to be the ownership of the team.

The Tribune Co., the current owners, has been dragging its feet on the sale, as it tries to maximize the overall price. While officially the desire is to close the sale during the fourth quarter, it's likely a deal won't be completed this year. The Trib could still own the team at next year's opening day, as they figure out whether or not to bundle the franchise with Wrigley Field and the team's stake in Comcast SportsNet.

Meanwhile, some of those who've previously expressed interest in buying the Cubs are making their pitch to the fans. Mark Cuban discussed his bid for the team on Mike North's Morning Show on WSCR yesterday. When talking about how he'd watch the games as owner, he told North:

Everybody thinks I'm going to be on the sidelines, in the dugout, jumping up and down. That's not where I'll be.

When I went to the Cubs game a couple weeks ago, I sat in the bleachers, and I'll have a seat marked out for me and my friends. We'll be out in the right-field bleachers — that's the best place to watch a game.

Sure enough, that's where Cuban was spotted just a few weeks ago at Wrigley. Sporting a Cubs jersey and a "It's Gonna Happen" sign.

Now ... was that in reference to the Cubs winning a World Series or him buying the team?

Photo of Mark Cuban by Michael Riccio.