Bill Wirtz to buy the Cubs?! (WSI Rumor/Gammons unconfirmed)

[UMFan83]

 

As much as I enjoy the Fire (and I do), lets now compare total revenues, including major TV deals, licensing, etc.

 

Can we use 2005's numbers? :P

 

Seriously, though, I think the economic health of MLS is in much better shape than that of the NHL right now. MLS just got a sweet TV deal, attendance is up and nearly every team is getting or has their own stadium now.

 

I don't know. While I would agree that the MLS is in much better economic shape a few years ago, the NHL is still a ways ahead of it IMO. I think in Chicago we get a clouded view of the NHL because for all intents and purposes, hockey doesnt exist. I still don't see mainstream media speak about the MLS as they do the NHL. The average American sports fan could probably name 3 NHL players, but probably not MLS players. These are all generalities, but I think you see my point.

 

Here's hoping the MLS does become the 4th sport, and with the baby boom of soccer players growing up, it just might.

[goonys evil twin]

 

As much as I enjoy the Fire (and I do), lets now compare total revenues, including major TV deals, licensing, etc.

 

Can we use 2005's numbers? :P

 

Seriously, though, I think the economic health of MLS is in much better shape than that of the NHL right now. MLS just got a sweet TV deal, attendance is up and nearly every team is getting or has their own stadium now.

 

I think you are confusing the NHL with the Blackhawks. The NHL is doing great, with several very healthy franchises. The Hawks have been run into the ground by a bunch of traditionalist monkeys. The Fire might be bigger than the Hawks, but all it would take is one successful Blackhawks season to change all that. A Fire championship isn't going to grow them all that much. If both teams won their respective championship's next year, it wouldn't be close. The Hawks are a part of the fourth major pro sports league, they just aren't participating in an acceptable manner.

[USSoccer]

Easily? Did you look at your numbers? Granted the Fire must have had a better 04 and 05, but it was back and forth for a while.

 

MLS average 1998-2005: 15626

NHL average 1998-2005: 13173

[J.R.]

Calling MLS a major sport effectively insults MLB, the NFL and NBA.

 

Women's basketball (NCAA and WNBA) has a national TV deal, and so does the Arena Football League. The AFL also has several teams that average over 15,000 in attendance. They're certainly not "major," and neither is MLS.

 

The NHL is dead in most places. MLS execs probably salivate with glee at the prospect of being compared to hockey, because that's one fight they can win.

[USSoccer]

Calling MLS a major sport effectively insults MLB, the NFL and NBA.

 

Women's basketball (NCAA and WNBA) has a national TV deal, and so does the Arena Football League. The AFL also has several teams that average over 15,000 in attendance. They're certainly not "major," and neither is MLS.

 

The NHL is dead in most places. MLS execs probably salivate with glee at the prospect of being compared to hockey, because that's one fight they can win.

 

MLS is a league on the upswing. WNBA and the AFL will never have the potential for growth like the MLS has.

[USSoccer]

 

As much as I enjoy the Fire (and I do), lets now compare total revenues, including major TV deals, licensing, etc.

 

Can we use 2005's numbers? :P

 

Seriously, though, I think the economic health of MLS is in much better shape than that of the NHL right now. MLS just got a sweet TV deal, attendance is up and nearly every team is getting or has their own stadium now.

 

I think you are confusing the NHL with the Blackhawks. The NHL is doing great, with several very healthy franchises. The Hawks have been run into the ground by a bunch of traditionalist monkeys. The Fire might be bigger than the Hawks, but all it would take is one successful Blackhawks season to change all that. A Fire championship isn't going to grow them all that much. If both teams won their respective championship's next year, it wouldn't be close. The Hawks are a part of the fourth major pro sports league, they just aren't participating in an acceptable manner.

 

I think that, despite success in a few markets the NHL has a real problem long term.

[srbin84]

 

As much as I enjoy the Fire (and I do), lets now compare total revenues, including major TV deals, licensing, etc.

 

Can we use 2005's numbers? :P

 

Seriously, though, I think the economic health of MLS is in much better shape than that of the NHL right now. MLS just got a sweet TV deal, attendance is up and nearly every team is getting or has their own stadium now.

 

I think you are confusing the NHL with the Blackhawks. The NHL is doing great, with several very healthy franchises. The Hawks have been run into the ground by a bunch of traditionalist monkeys. The Fire might be bigger than the Hawks, but all it would take is one successful Blackhawks season to change all that. A Fire championship isn't going to grow them all that much. If both teams won their respective championship's next year, it wouldn't be close. The Hawks are a part of the fourth major pro sports league, they just aren't participating in an acceptable manner.

 

I think that, despite success in a few markets the NHL has a real problem long term.

 

It's been more than a few.

 

http://www.canada.com/topics/sports/hockey/story.html?id=390e6eae-9c09-44f0-a064-00e7b1801ac2&k=44588

[1908]

Gammons and WSI are the scoops here, let's think about that for a second.

Did anyone else hear Gammons mention this even? Seems the source is a post on WSI only. Not worth our time.

 

Well WEEI is a Boston radio statio, most Boston fans could care less about speculating who is going to buy the Cubs. The person that posted it on WSI lives in Boston and for some reason has an affinity towards the White Sox and loathes the Cubs (which is funny because the teams are operated in a similar fashion - save the winning). So he thought it was relavent to share. From the sounds of things on WSI, he mentioned it in passing, perhaps on a different topic all together.

Experience has taught me to be suspicious of any unconfirmed rumor posted on a message board. I don't have a problem with you posting it, I just think the Gammons connection should be downplayed until its verified.

[goonys evil twin]

Easily? Did you look at your numbers? Granted the Fire must have had a better 04 and 05, but it was back and forth for a while.

 

MLS average 1998-2005: 15626

NHL average 1998-2005: 13173

 

Why are you comparing average per game? Per game doesn't mean much when you compare a 15 game season and a 40 game season.

[circlechange]

Easily? Did you look at your numbers? Granted the Fire must have had a better 04 and 05, but it was back and forth for a while.

 

MLS average 1998-2005: 15626

NHL average 1998-2005: 13173

Ok, but you said:

The Fire easily outdraw the Hawks.

not MLS vs. NHL. Hey I'd rather watch the Fire than the Hawks, I'm just not sure that MLS is the 4th sport in Chicago, yet.

[USSoccer]

Easily? Did you look at your numbers? Granted the Fire must have had a better 04 and 05, but it was back and forth for a while.

 

MLS average 1998-2005: 15626

NHL average 1998-2005: 13173

 

Why are you comparing average per game? Per game doesn't mean much when you compare a 15 game season and a 40 game season.

 

What would a better measure be that doesn't skew it one way or another?

[USSoccer]

Easily? Did you look at your numbers? Granted the Fire must have had a better 04 and 05, but it was back and forth for a while.

 

MLS average 1998-2005: 15626

NHL average 1998-2005: 13173

Ok, but you said:

The Fire easily outdraw the Hawks.

not MLS vs. NHL. Hey I'd rather watch the Fire than the Hawks, I'm just not sure that MLS is the 4th sport in Chicago, yet.

 

Oops. I should have typed Fire and Hawks there. My fault.

[1908]

Easily? Did you look at your numbers? Granted the Fire must have had a better 04 and 05, but it was back and forth for a while.

 

MLS average 1998-2005: 15626

NHL average 1998-2005: 13173

 

Why are you comparing average per game? Per game doesn't mean much when you compare a 15 game season and a 40 game season.

Would you argue the Blackhawks and Bears are equally popular in Chicago because both teams drew about 500,000 during their most recent season?

[shawndgoldman]

I'm listening to the most recent Gammons interview on the WEEI web site right now. I'll let you know if he mentions anything about a Cubs sale or Wirtz purchase. Personally, i'm starting to smell a liar over on the white sox board...

[shawndgoldman]

I listened to the most recent Gammons interview on WEEI, and he didn't say anything about the Cubs or Wirtz. Furthermore, the guy who "fenway" over at WSI said was interviewing Gammons wasn't even on the show... he's gone for the week. I smell a lie...

[Old Style]

I certainly don't Wirtz to buy the team, but as someone who lives in the Dallas area, I don't want Cuban either. [-X

[srbin84]

I certainly don't Wirtz to buy the team, but as someone who lives in the Dallas area, I don't want Cuban either. [-X

 

What's wrong with Cuban, and is it so bad that his bank account can't compensate for it?

[Old Style]

I certainly don't Wirtz to buy the team, but as someone who lives in the Dallas area, I don't want Cuban either. [-X

 

What's wrong with Cuban, and is it so bad that his bank account can't compensate for it?

He fancies himself a GM, which he is not. If he were to stay 100% out of all personnel decisions, then I would be OK with it. And despite what his public image is, he doesn't really care about the average fan. I've had a few e-mail "battles" back and forth with him on the issue.

[J.R.]

I think there are some ugly Guillen lickers over at WSI who are quite amused at the reaction to this.

[David]

I certainly don't Wirtz to buy the team, but as someone who lives in the Dallas area, I don't want Cuban either. [-X

 

What's wrong with Cuban, and is it so bad that his bank account can't compensate for it?

He fancies himself a GM, which he is not. If he were to stay 100% out of all personnel decisions, then I would be OK with it. And despite what his public image is, he doesn't really care about the average fan. I've had a few e-mail "battles" back and forth with him on the issue.

 

At the same time, that makes it seem like he cares plenty about the average fan, if he would care enough to engage in email "battles" with fans.

 

I'd want him in on the personel decisions. If he doesn't mind spending it, I would have no problem with him overpaying for an All Star at every position. Say what you will about George Steinbrenner, but I'd take him over our ownership any day.

[Old Style]

Wanting Cuban in on personnel decisions would be a worse decision than trading Lou Brock for Ernie Broglio.

[David]

Wanting Cuban in on personnel decisions would be a worse decision than trading Lou Brock for Ernie Broglio.

 

Those Mavericks sure have been a wreck since he took over, haven't they?

[da bears]

I certainly don't Wirtz to buy the team, but as someone who lives in the Dallas area, I don't want Cuban either. [-X

 

What's wrong with Cuban, and is it so bad that his bank account can't compensate for it?

He fancies himself a GM, which he is not. If he were to stay 100% out of all personnel decisions, then I would be OK with it. And despite what his public image is, he doesn't really care about the average fan. I've had a few e-mail "battles" back and forth with him on the issue.

 

Please explain what over. This is very interesting.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Cuban had a hand in making and promoting the movie Godsend, which is mostly the reason I got it from the Wal-Mart $5 bin last weekend. It's a pretty crappy movie.

[Old Style]

Wanting Cuban in on personnel decisions would be a worse decision than trading Lou Brock for Ernie Broglio.

 

Those Mavericks sure have been a wreck since he took over, haven't they?

What the hell have they won? They've made it to the Western Conference Finals ONCE, and then only because Sacramento had some serious injury problems. For all the wins they've racked up, they haven't even sniffed a title yet and won't anytime soon. Great call letting Steve Nash walk away for nothing, huh?

Edited April 21, 2006 by Old Style