Bruce lurking & Cubs sale

[Lefty]

Cubs sale possibility greatly increasing. Bruce, do you think you could play it up? Wouldn't you love to tweak the big guys?

[C.C.]

Cubs sale possibility greatly increasing. Bruce, do you think you could play it up? Wouldn't you love to tweak the big guys?

 

Man, I hope it comes true. C'mon Cuban!

[beowulf28]

Cubs sale possibility greatly increasing. Bruce, do you think you could play it up? Wouldn't you love to tweak the big guys?

 

Man, I hope it comes true. C'mon Cuban!

 

Me too! :twisted:

[RegulusBlue]

Lets just get this over with and sell off some parts before the Cubs mystique injures all of them gravely, not to mention that a firesale is the most exciting time of the year for a crappy team, when a bunch of new faces hit the field for once.

 

This team is stale goods, and Pierre, Jones (who is now tradeable, thank god), Nevin need to go to bring in something else.

[Banedon]

I'm not really sure there's any new info in this area, though this article doesn't really paint a happy picturefor the Trib. Still, no indications the Cubs will go up for sale.

 

The Chicago Cubs could be worth $500 million, Barlow said.

 

FitzSimons in past interviews has said Tribune -- which has pledged to sell "non-core assets" outside of Chicago, New York and Los Angeles -- is not putting the Cubs up for sale.

[goonys evil twin]

I'm not really sure there's any new info in this area, though this article doesn't really paint a happy picturefor the Trib. Still, no indications the Cubs will go up for sale.

 

The Chicago Cubs could be worth $500 million, Barlow said.

 

FitzSimons in past interviews has said Tribune -- which has pledged to sell "non-core assets" outside of Chicago, New York and Los Angeles -- is not putting the Cubs up for sale.

 

"Putting something up for sale" can drive down the price, because potential buyers know the owner wants to get rid of the item. GMs talk all the time about not shopping guys, but they'll listen for offers. Unlike most businesses, a ballclub carries an emotional premium for rich guys who want to compete, and win in full view of the public.

[Banedon]

I'm not really sure there's any new info in this area, though this article doesn't really paint a happy picturefor the Trib. Still, no indications the Cubs will go up for sale.

 

The Chicago Cubs could be worth $500 million, Barlow said.

 

FitzSimons in past interviews has said Tribune -- which has pledged to sell "non-core assets" outside of Chicago, New York and Los Angeles -- is not putting the Cubs up for sale.

 

"Putting something up for sale" can drive down the price, because potential buyers know the owner wants to get rid of the item. GMs talk all the time about not shopping guys, but they'll listen for offers. Unlike most businesses, a ballclub carries an emotional premium for rich guys who want to compete, and win in full view of the public.

 

In the interview that Mariotti did with Cuban, Cuban said this:

 

"If the Cubs come up for sale, it would most likely happen through an investment banker. If they produce a book, I certainly would take a look at it,'' wrote Cuban...

 

Would that happen quietly? I genuinely don't know the answer, not trying to be sarcastic or anything.

[goonys evil twin]

"If the Cubs come up for sale, it would most likely happen through an investment banker. If they produce a book, I certainly would take a look at it,'' wrote Cuban...

 

Would that happen quietly? I genuinely don't know the answer, not trying to be sarcastic or anything.

 

Depends on whether the Cubs thought they could drive up the price with a bidding war or not. Or how much either party wanted to keep it a secret. My feeling is any Cubs sale would be somewhat of a surprise when it happens. I don't think you'd see it negotiated in the press for months on end. Corporations are very good at keeping deals quiet if they want to. And it's a lot easier to sell off an entity within a corporation than to sell the entire business, which would require shareholder votes.

[Fanzones trumpet]

"If the Cubs come up for sale, it would most likely happen through an investment banker. If they produce a book, I certainly would take a look at it,'' wrote Cuban...

 

Would that happen quietly? I genuinely don't know the answer, not trying to be sarcastic or anything.

 

Depends on whether the Cubs thought they could drive up the price with a bidding war or not. Or how much either party wanted to keep it a secret. My feeling is any Cubs sale would be somewhat of a surprise when it happens. I don't think you'd see it negotiated in the press for months on end. Corporations are very good at keeping deals quiet if they want to. And it's a lot easier to sell off an entity within a corporation than to sell the entire business, which would require shareholder votes.

 

Great analysis. If I remember correctly (it was a long time ago), that's the way it happened with the sale to Tribune. It was speculated for a couple of years that William Wrigley would have to sell due to estate taxes, but the actual sale (and the buyer) seemingly came out of the blue.

[UMFan83]

I'm not really sure there's any new info in this area, though this article doesn't really paint a happy picturefor the Trib. Still, no indications the Cubs will go up for sale.

 

The Chicago Cubs could be worth $500 million, Barlow said.

 

FitzSimons in past interviews has said Tribune -- which has pledged to sell "non-core assets" outside of Chicago, New York and Los Angeles -- is not putting the Cubs up for sale.

 

"Putting something up for sale" can drive down the price, because potential buyers know the owner wants to get rid of the item. GMs talk all the time about not shopping guys, but they'll listen for offers. Unlike most businesses, a ballclub carries an emotional premium for rich guys who want to compete, and win in full view of the public.

 

In the interview that Mariotti did with Cuban, Cuban said this:

 

"If the Cubs come up for sale, it would most likely happen through an investment banker. If they produce a book, I certainly would take a look at it,'' wrote Cuban...

 

Would that happen quietly? I genuinely don't know the answer, not trying to be sarcastic or anything.

 

He also reinterated the process yesterday morning on Sean Salisbury and Steve Rosenbloom's show. Again said he was likely interested. It's interesting that he would show how much he wants to buy them. I thought the idea was to feign lack of interest in order to drive the price down. Maybe that isn't the case with multimillion dollar buys with multiple investors.

[Banedon]

Well I don't think anything will happen while the NBA Finals are going on, that's for sure... :P

[C.C.]

I just drool at the prospect of him owning the Cubs. He's the perfect person at the perfect time to own the Cubs. He would be huge in Chicago with his personality, he also has the passion and is a foward thinker. Man, I want this to happen.

[BRASKYS SCOTCH]

I'm not really sure there's any new info in this area, though this article doesn't really paint a happy picturefor the Trib. Still, no indications the Cubs will go up for sale.

 

The Chicago Cubs could be worth $500 million, Barlow said.

 

FitzSimons in past interviews has said Tribune -- which has pledged to sell "non-core assets" outside of Chicago, New York and Los Angeles -- is not putting the Cubs up for sale.

 

"Putting something up for sale" can drive down the price, because potential buyers know the owner wants to get rid of the item. GMs talk all the time about not shopping guys, but they'll listen for offers. Unlike most businesses, a ballclub carries an emotional premium for rich guys who want to compete, and win in full view of the public.

 

In the interview that Mariotti did with Cuban, Cuban said this:

 

"If the Cubs come up for sale, it would most likely happen through an investment banker. If they produce a book, I certainly would take a look at it,'' wrote Cuban...

 

Would that happen quietly? I genuinely don't know the answer, not trying to be sarcastic or anything.

 

He also reinterated the process yesterday morning on Sean Salisbury and Steve Rosenbloom's show. Again said he was likely interested. It's interesting that he would show how much he wants to buy them. I thought the idea was to feign lack of interest in order to drive the price down. Maybe that isn't the case with multimillion dollar buys with multiple investors.

 

Any process involving the potential sale of the Cubs would be very quiet. It would clearly be a sign that Trib Co. is not entirely confident that its stock will bounce back, which would create unrest, if not slight panic, amongst the shareholders.

 

A prospectus would be prepared and very discreetly distributed to those who have expressed interest or those who have a network of wealth to create a group investment. None of this would be reported in the media until both sides are imminently close to a deal. Beyond the prospectus any current records and financial info of Trib Co. would be examined within the confines of whichever law firm is handling the sale.

 

I imagine media speculation of potential buyers could have been leaked by a knowledgeable employee of Trib. as a discreet means of reaching out to gauge interest. That's right, I just speculated speculation. O'Doyle rules.

[Andy]

I just drool at the prospect of him owning the Cubs. He's the perfect person at the perfect time to own the Cubs. He would be huge in Chicago with his personality, he also has the passion and is a foward thinker. Man, I want this to happen.

Seconded

[FergieJ31]

Assuming the Cubs are on the block, and assuming Cuban is interested, couldn't other owners block the transaction? I can't imagine NL owners NOT vetoing this transaction.

[BRASKYS SCOTCH]

Assuming the Cubs are on the block, and assuming Cuban is interested, couldn't other owners block the transaction? I can't imagine NL owners NOT vetoing this transaction.

 

I doubt they'd have any say in negotiations or even be knowledgeable of meetings with potential buyers. However, I'm sure that the owners would have to ratify a final sale. Where that can be confirmed I have no idea.

[Guest]

Assuming the Cubs are on the block, and assuming Cuban is interested, couldn't other owners block the transaction? I can't imagine NL owners NOT vetoing this transaction.

I don't know about that. MLB has a history of approving some colorful and maverick owners such as Bill Veeck, Charlie Finley, and George Stenbrenner. Owners tend to overlook a candidate's personality if they think he'll be good for everyone's pocketbooks. I'm not saying Cuban would definitely get approved by other owners if he tried to buy a team, but I don't think anywhere close to an impossibility, either.

[mul21]

Assuming the Cubs are on the block, and assuming Cuban is interested, couldn't other owners block the transaction? I can't imagine NL owners NOT vetoing this transaction.

 

Why would they not approve him? Think of what Cuban bring: a huge personality and a desire to win above all else. What more could MLB ask for than a winning team on the north side to boost interest in baseball in general and get people off the topic of steroids. The Cubs and Red Sox winning are the best things that can happen to baseball.

[FergieJ31]

Assuming the Cubs are on the block, and assuming Cuban is interested, couldn't other owners block the transaction? I can't imagine NL owners NOT vetoing this transaction.

 

Why would they not approve him? Think of what Cuban bring: a huge personality and a desire to win above all else. What more could MLB ask for than a winning team on the north side to boost interest in baseball in general and get people off the topic of steroids. The Cubs and Red Sox winning are the best things that can happen to baseball.

 

Don't get me wrong - I'd love to see Cuban own the Cubs as much as anyone on this board. But how would you vote if you owned another team in the NL, knowing the expected price tag for stud free agents will go up, probably significantly so?

 

For the same reasons Cuban excites Cubs fans, and rightfully so, wouldn't he scare the heck out of most NL owners? His aggressiveness and desire to win is legendary. He's not like most owners, most of whom pay more attention to financial statements than to box scores.

 

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong (going from memory on the Montreal move to DC), but I think it'd require a 3/4 vote of NL owners and a majority vote from the AL. The AL would probably be no problem for the reasons you state, mul21, but I'd worry about the NL if it gets that far.

 

And really, it's a moot point. If the Trib sold the Cubs their Board of Directors would be sued for malfeasance. The Cubs, a high-performing cash cow, would be the last asset sold by the Trib Co.

[Peoriaman]

there would have to be a good reason NOT to approve Cuban. There isn't one that I know of.

[goonys evil twin]

there would have to be a good reason NOT to approve Cuban. There isn't one that I know of.

 

There wouldn't have to be a good reason. Just a reason they felt justified it using. If they felt he would throw off the payscale, they might overrule.

[Lefty]

"If the Cubs come up for sale, it would most likely happen through an investment banker. If they produce a book, I certainly would take a look at it,'' wrote Cuban...

 

Would that happen quietly? I genuinely don't know the answer, not trying to be sarcastic or anything.

 

Depends on whether the Cubs thought they could drive up the price with a bidding war or not. Or how much either party wanted to keep it a secret. My feeling is any Cubs sale would be somewhat of a surprise when it happens. I don't think you'd see it negotiated in the press for months on end. Corporations are very good at keeping deals quiet if they want to. And it's a lot easier to sell off an entity within a corporation than to sell the entire business, which would require shareholder votes.

 

As I said in the original post on this during the winter, Tribune is probably not the entity who is going to decide to sell the Cubs. A financial buyer will come in and sell off the pieces to strategic buyers. I.e., the TV stations would be sold to a larger TV operater, the newspapers to a media publisher, in order to get premium prices. There will be no "Tribune Corporation" as we now know it.

[FergieJ31]

"If the Cubs come up for sale, it would most likely happen through an investment banker. If they produce a book, I certainly would take a look at it,'' wrote Cuban...

 

Would that happen quietly? I genuinely don't know the answer, not trying to be sarcastic or anything.

 

Depends on whether the Cubs thought they could drive up the price with a bidding war or not. Or how much either party wanted to keep it a secret. My feeling is any Cubs sale would be somewhat of a surprise when it happens. I don't think you'd see it negotiated in the press for months on end. Corporations are very good at keeping deals quiet if they want to. And it's a lot easier to sell off an entity within a corporation than to sell the entire business, which would require shareholder votes.

 

As I said in the original post on this during the winter, Tribune is probably not the entity who is going to decide to sell the Cubs. A financial buyer will come in and sell off the pieces to strategic buyers. I.e., the TV stations would be sold to a larger TV operater, the newspapers to a media publisher, in order to get premium prices. There will be no "Tribune Corporation" as we now know it.

 

Lefty, I missed that original post during the winter. What's going on at Trib Co that would result in such a mass liquidation? TRB has rallied about 15% since the beginning of April. Someone on Wall St must have liked the stock buyback plan -- in fact Goldman Sachs upgraded the stock just this morning.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

there would have to be a good reason NOT to approve Cuban. There isn't one that I know of.

 

Exactly. The owners might drag feet on approval or heavily scrutinize the finances, but Cuban would get approved.

[Banedon]

"If the Cubs come up for sale, it would most likely happen through an investment banker. If they produce a book, I certainly would take a look at it,'' wrote Cuban...

 

Would that happen quietly? I genuinely don't know the answer, not trying to be sarcastic or anything.

 

Depends on whether the Cubs thought they could drive up the price with a bidding war or not. Or how much either party wanted to keep it a secret. My feeling is any Cubs sale would be somewhat of a surprise when it happens. I don't think you'd see it negotiated in the press for months on end. Corporations are very good at keeping deals quiet if they want to. And it's a lot easier to sell off an entity within a corporation than to sell the entire business, which would require shareholder votes.

 

As I said in the original post on this during the winter, Tribune is probably not the entity who is going to decide to sell the Cubs. A financial buyer will come in and sell off the pieces to strategic buyers. I.e., the TV stations would be sold to a larger TV operater, the newspapers to a media publisher, in order to get premium prices. There will be no "Tribune Corporation" as we now know it.

 

Lefty, I missed that original post during the winter. What's going on at Trib Co that would result in such a mass liquidation? TRB has rallied about 15% since the beginning of April. Someone on Wall St must have liked the stock buyback plan -- in fact Goldman Sachs upgraded the stock just this morning.

 

Here's a pretty good articleabout it. Google News the word "tribune" and you'll find all kinds of articles about the Tribune possibly spinning of it's broadcasting division. Lots of change gonna be happening there.