Cubs Bidding Enters Second Round, Cuban Makes The Cut

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Jul 24, 2008 2:55PM

Initial bids on the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field were due Friday and word is slowly getting out now about who seems to have made the cut. Among those who didn't make the cut were Chicago Wolves owner Don Levin and the group led by Madison Dearborn Chairman John Canning. Canning's group was considered the odds-on favorite to win the bidding, in part due to Canning being a part-owner of the Milwaukee Brewers and a friend of Major League Baseball ~~Asshat~~ Commissioner Bud Selig. Up to five of the MLB-approved bidders on the Cubs were invited by the Tribune Co. to continue in the process. All of the approved bids topped $1 billion according to media reports. Only three separate (and cheaper) bids on Wrigley Field alone were allowed to the second round.

One person who apparently made the cut (and that we're kind of excited about)? Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. While speculation is that many baseball owners may not approve of Cuban's antics during Mavs games (yelling at refs, coming onto the court to argue, etc.) it's hard to ignore his genuine passion for his team as well as his business successes. Besides turning one of the NBA's most beleaguered franchises into a perennial (though still title-less) contender, he's also got a business acumen that may appeal to owners. After all, the overriding message sent by the Tribune Co. in this process has been "money talks" as the company, led by new owner Sam Zell, looks to climb its way out of massive debt. [Trib, S-T]