Wolves Owner wants to buy the Cubs

[Neuby]

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-061111downey,1,6012309.column?coll=cs-cubs-headlines

 

 

If the Cubs are for sale, Don Levin wants to buy them.

 

Amid rampant speculation that Tribune Co. will sell all or some of its holdings, Levin, a wealthy businessman and lifelong Chicagoan, is eager to make a bid on the baseball team he has been rooting for his entire life.

 

 

"I would never do this for the money," said Levin, who owns Chicago's popular minor-league hockey franchise, the Wolves. "I'd do it to be the guy who after 98 years could help make a winner of the Cubs."

 

Levin, 59, said Friday that he planned to call Cubs President John McDonough as a first step in expressing his interest and in ascertaining what Tribune's plans are for the team and for the company.

 

"Will they sell it in pieces?" he asked. "Because if they break it up and sell the Cubs separately, I hope they will talk to me. I'll pay a fair price.

 

"I'm not a television guy. I'm not a newspaper guy. That part of Tribune Co. is not what I'm looking for. But if they want a sports guy and someone who cares deeply about what happens to the Cubs, that's me."

 

An offer for Tribune Co. in its entirety—its newspapers (including this one), radio and TV stations and its other properties including Wrigley Field and the Cubs—reportedly has been made by Los Angeles billionaire businessmen Eli Broad and Ron Burkle.

 

Music and film producer David Geffen also has been frequently mentioned as a possible bidder for the Los Angeles Times, another Tribune asset.

 

What is not commonly known is if Tribune would be willing to part with the Cubs by themselves. This nevertheless has resulted in unfounded, often ludicrous speculation with regard to potential buyers for the team.

 

For example, the only evident reason for individuals such as Donald Trump and NBA Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban being mentioned among parties interested in the Cubs is because they said yes when a journalist asked them if they would like to own the Cubs.

 

Levin fully intends to pursue his interest in the team.

 

 

 

Seems like another option along with Cuban and Wrigley as good possible suitors of the Cubs.

[PrimeTime]

Please sell him the damn team...Hes already made me a believer..

[RynoRules]

He's certainly saying all the right things. For some reason I feel like I'd rather have a local guy rather than Cuban.

[Bruce Miles]

I covered the Wolves from 1995-98. Don Levin might be the best owner in Chicago.

[Pinktermite]

Dream on. The Cubs are a cash cow for anyone that would eventually own the Tribune.

 

The Cubs, I love them, but they are doomed forever...

[Wheelimus]

Well then, how about in the sale The Tribune gets exclusive rights to the things they would want for the next 20 years or so. So long as the financial numbers are fair to the new owner, doubt it would be a huge stumbling block.

 

That way the Tribune can save face that they kept a piece of the pie for themselves for the next twenty years.

[Magnetic Curses]

whats happens to the broadcasting rights if the cubs are sold off by themselves?

[CuseCubFan69]

He's certainly saying all the right things. For some reason I feel like I'd rather have a local guy rather than Cuban.

 

Is that really true? I'm putting my checkbook away then.

[beowulf28]

I covered the Wolves from 1995-98. Don Levin might be the best owner in Chicago.

 

If you say it, I totally believe it. If Mark Cuban doesn't get it, I hope Don Levin does. Anyone but Wrigley or the Tribsters.

[RynoRules]

He's certainly saying all the right things. For some reason I feel like I'd rather have a local guy rather than Cuban.

 

Is that really true? I'm putting my checkbook away then.

 

Which part?

[CuseCubFan69]

He's certainly saying all the right things. For some reason I feel like I'd rather have a local guy rather than Cuban.

 

Is that really true? I'm putting my checkbook away then.

 

Which part?

 

Having a local guy buy the Cubs. I had an extra billion just hanging around but I think I'll spend it on Lotto tickets instead.

[NCCubFan]

whats happens to the broadcasting rights if the cubs are sold off by themselves?

I'd guess that WGN will still buy the rights to carry games. The Cubs were on WGN before they were owned by the Trib; I can't see why they wouldn't be after.

[UMFan83]

whats happens to the broadcasting rights if the cubs are sold off by themselves?

I'd guess that WGN will still buy the rights to carry games. The Cubs were on WGN before they were owned by the Trib; I can't see why they wouldn't be after.

 

Would you want to broadcast bad baseball?

[NCCubFan]

whats happens to the broadcasting rights if the cubs are sold off by themselves?

I'd guess that WGN will still buy the rights to carry games. The Cubs were on WGN before they were owned by the Trib; I can't see why they wouldn't be after.

 

Would you want to broadcast bad baseball?

No, but WGN has for decades.

[Sammy Sofa]

whats happens to the broadcasting rights if the cubs are sold off by themselves?

I'd guess that WGN will still buy the rights to carry games. The Cubs were on WGN before they were owned by the Trib; I can't see why they wouldn't be after.

 

Would you want to broadcast bad baseball?

No, but WGN has for decades.

 

Without all the awful, horrible baseball they wouldn't be the national network they are today.

[snoodmonger]

Last week Burkle and Broad teamed up to bid for Chicago-based Tribune Co., which acquired the paper in 2000 when it bought Times Mirror Co. Details were not disclosed. It's believed that if they succeed they would sell off Tribune's other newspapers, TV stations and its baseball team — the Chicago Cubs — and keep just the Times.

 

I posted this in both trib sales threads. At least one of the serious bids for the trib only wants the LA Times.

 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061112/ap_on_bi_ge/la_times_billionaire_bidders