Cubs For Sale?
There has been some speculation that the spending spree the Chicago Cubs have engaged in this off-season is a signal that the troubled Tribune Company will be selling the team in the near future. Believe it or not, the media has taken flight with this talk and done interview after interview with local and national business groups which are apparently frothing at the mouth to lineup and bid on the team. What caused this sudden uproar and media feeding frenzy? The trigger seems to point to huge contracts give to recent players Alfonso Soriano and Aramis Ramirez. The thinking goes that the Tribune is loading up on talented players to better the team’s position not only on paper and on the field but also in the boardroom and the auction block as well.
The Cubs possibly being for sale and the acquisition of new players are two completely separate issue. The cubs signing big name players now doesn’t make them selling off the team any easier, since they have to show the books to the new buyers prior to having an agreement. It’s not like the new owners aren’t going to see the numbers or these new deals are going to go unnoticed on the financial books. But having the cubs start WINNING would increase its value and possible inflate the buying price a little along with make them more revenue while the cubs are up for sale. Nothing sells merchandise and advertising more than a club that snags the local and national headlines by being competitive and winning. That may be their plan if they want to sell; better product gets you more return in a sale…simple as that.
So do you think the Chicago Cubs would benefit from a change of ownership?
- Matt Riedl
