Cuban to bid on Cubs (RUMOR - SHOT DOWN BY CUBAN + TRIB)

[goonys evil twin]

I can't see the other owners allowing it. Cuban is too vocal for baseball.

 

That's exactly what they said! They said that Cuban's realistic chances of being approved are very slim.

 

Baseball owners, first and foremost, care about the value of their franchises. They will question his antics, but they will think long and hard before subverting the potential sale of a ballclub for significant profit. Virtually everyone of these owners will, at one point, sell their team. And they will want others owners to approve the sale of their team.

[98navigator]

I can't see the other owners allowing it. Cuban is too vocal for baseball.

 

That's exactly what they said! They said that Cuban's realistic chances of being approved are very slim.

 

Baseball owners, first and foremost, care about the value of their franchises. They will question his antics, but they will think long and hard before subverting the potential sale of a ballclub for significant profit. Virtually everyone of these owners will, at one point, sell their team. And they will want others owners to approve the sale of their team.

 

Not at all because if the Cubs are truly for sale, finding a buyer won't be difficult. That is why the other owners can be selective.

[Magnetic Curses]

I can't see the other owners allowing it. Cuban is too vocal for baseball.

 

That's exactly what they said! They said that Cuban's realistic chances of being approved are very slim.

 

Baseball owners, first and foremost, care about the value of their franchises. They will question his antics, but they will think long and hard before subverting the potential sale of a ballclub for significant profit. Virtually everyone of these owners will, at one point, sell their team. And they will want others owners to approve the sale of their team.

 

exactly right.

[C.C.]

I can't see the other owners allowing it. Cuban is too vocal for baseball.

 

That's exactly what they said! They said that Cuban's realistic chances of being approved are very slim.

 

Baseball owners, first and foremost, care about the value of their franchises. They will question his antics, but they will think long and hard before subverting the potential sale of a ballclub for significant profit. Virtually everyone of these owners will, at one point, sell their team. And they will want others owners to approve the sale of their team.

 

Not at all because if the Cubs are truly for sale, finding a buyer won't be difficult. That is why the other owners can be selective.

 

Very true...But then again if Cuban is the highest bidder how could they say no, if it drives up their teams price.

[Magnetic Curses]

I can't see the other owners allowing it. Cuban is too vocal for baseball.

 

That's exactly what they said! They said that Cuban's realistic chances of being approved are very slim.

 

Baseball owners, first and foremost, care about the value of their franchises. They will question his antics, but they will think long and hard before subverting the potential sale of a ballclub for significant profit. Virtually everyone of these owners will, at one point, sell their team. And they will want others owners to approve the sale of their team.

 

Not at all because if the Cubs are truly for sale, finding a buyer won't be difficult. That is why the other owners can be selective.

 

while some owners might not approve of cuban, money is power and he has more of it than most of them. he's no ragamuffin off the streets, he's one of the richest men in america who could probably hold a significant financial grudge against those who do not approve his purchase.

[98navigator]

I don't think this is viable. The deadline to submit a proposal is fast approaching and Cuban hasn't officially put his hat in the ring. I think they are reporting more on him saying he likes the idea of owning the Cubs instead of Cuban actively pursuing the goal. Additionally, Crain's Chicago Business is reporting that the Tribune is close to choosing recapitaliation over selling the company.

 

But the Tribune can sell the Cubs whenever they want. The deadline is for TRB reorganization in general. The Cubs are just a very small part of that plan.

 

Everything that I've read claims that Tribune wouldn't sell the Cubs if they opt to recapitalize. The Cubs and WGN are arguably the most profitable assets of Tribune company. It seems odd that they would use resources to reorganize if they plan to divest themselves of the Cubs; it would be more efficient to just sell the Cubs to the highest bidder and use the profits to appease the shareholders.

 

Or it could be more profitable to give the impression that you aren't selling the Cubs, thus, hopefully driving up the offers from potential buyers.

 

Again, we're talking about the Cubs. The offers will be there. These are business people and they aren't going to outbid themselves.

 

Either the news report, of the specific dollar amount, is false; Cuban is crazy; or just a bad negotiator. There is no advantage in letting your competitors know your bid amount (it is not public). Zell is not disclosing his offer.

 

Forbes has already apprasised it's value (add to that the recent sale of the Braves and any reasonable person can assume the starting bid for the Cubs). I find it hard to believe that Cuban would say this publically.

[98navigator]

I can't see the other owners allowing it. Cuban is too vocal for baseball.

 

That's exactly what they said! They said that Cuban's realistic chances of being approved are very slim.

 

Baseball owners, first and foremost, care about the value of their franchises. They will question his antics, but they will think long and hard before subverting the potential sale of a ballclub for significant profit. Virtually everyone of these owners will, at one point, sell their team. And they will want others owners to approve the sale of their team.

 

Not at all because if the Cubs are truly for sale, finding a buyer won't be difficult. That is why the other owners can be selective.

 

while some owners might not approve of cuban, money is power and he has more of it than most of them. he's no ragamuffin off the streets, he's one of the richest men in america who could probably hold a significant financial grudge against those who do not approve his purchase.

 

I understand your point but the truth is there are other, rumored, bidders who have higher networth.

[Chocolate Milk]

Do the owners have to give a reason why the reject a potential buyer? I'm trying to think of a reason they would give besides "He wears t-shirts and his hair is unkempt"

[98navigator]

I can't see the other owners allowing it. Cuban is too vocal for baseball.

 

That's exactly what they said! They said that Cuban's realistic chances of being approved are very slim.

 

Baseball owners, first and foremost, care about the value of their franchises. They will question his antics, but they will think long and hard before subverting the potential sale of a ballclub for significant profit. Virtually everyone of these owners will, at one point, sell their team. And they will want others owners to approve the sale of their team.

 

Not at all because if the Cubs are truly for sale, finding a buyer won't be difficult. That is why the other owners can be selective.

 

Very true...But then again if Cuban is the highest bidder how could they say no, if it drives up their teams price.

 

Top bidders for MLB teams have been rejected in the past.

[goonys evil twin]

Top bidders for MLB teams have been rejected in the past.

 

Often because their bid isn't up to snuff. Cuban has the money. A lot of bidding groups put together a bid that relies on a fractured ownership group, highly leveraged offers and otherwise shaky ground. Cuban may be a pain in the ass, but he's a stable owner, financially. And that is issue numero uno when it comes to the owners.

[98navigator]

Top bidders for MLB teams have been rejected in the past.

 

Often because their bid isn't up to snuff. Cuban has the money. A lot of bidding groups put together a bid that relies on a fractured ownership group, highly leveraged offers and otherwise shaky ground. Cuban may be a pain in the ass, but he's a stable owner, financially. And that is issue numero uno when it comes to the owners.

 

This will be said about any person or group that makes it through the elimination process.

 

I don't have anything against the man I just don't think it would happen because of:

A. His track record as a renegade

B. The things I've heard with respect to him specifically and other unsuccessful bidders.

 

The other MLB owners don't need him; Baseball is alive and well. It could very well be that they (including the Commissioner's Office) would view him as a distraction and possible combatant.

 

Only time will tell if and when the team is sold.

[goonys evil twin]

Top bidders for MLB teams have been rejected in the past.

 

Often because their bid isn't up to snuff. Cuban has the money. A lot of bidding groups put together a bid that relies on a fractured ownership group, highly leveraged offers and otherwise shaky ground. Cuban may be a pain in the ass, but he's a stable owner, financially. And that is issue numero uno when it comes to the owners.

 

This will be said about any person or group that makes it through the elimination process..

 

I don't see much of an elimination process taking place. There doesn't seem to be an open bidding process. If Cuban is really making an offer, and the Trib thinks it is high enough to sell, then MLB owners will have to really think about whether or not they want to say, "No, go back to the drawing board."

[98navigator]

Top bidders for MLB teams have been rejected in the past.

 

Often because their bid isn't up to snuff. Cuban has the money. A lot of bidding groups put together a bid that relies on a fractured ownership group, highly leveraged offers and otherwise shaky ground. Cuban may be a pain in the ass, but he's a stable owner, financially. And that is issue numero uno when it comes to the owners.

 

This will be said about any person or group that makes it through the elimination process..

 

I don't see much of an elimination process taking place. There doesn't seem to be an open bidding process. If Cuban is really making an offer, and the Trib thinks it is high enough to sell, then MLB owners will have to really think about whether or not they want to say, "No, go back to the drawing board."

 

Bids have already been rejected. The two California (?) billionaires that submitted a proposal were pretty much dismissed early on... It doesn't get to the owners until the Trib accepts the offer.

 

No, the owners just wouldn't approve it! The Trib would be forced to keep the club, which isn't the worst idea b/c it's still very profitable to them.

[oldstyle81]

I don't think this is viable. The deadline to submit a proposal is fast approaching and Cuban hasn't officially put his hat in the ring. I think they are reporting more on him saying he likes the idea of owning the Cubs instead of Cuban actively pursuing the goal. Additionally, Crain's Chicago Business is reporting that the Tribune is close to choosing recapitaliation over selling the company.

 

But the Tribune can sell the Cubs whenever they want. The deadline is for TRB reorganization in general. The Cubs are just a very small part of that plan.

 

Everything that I've read claims that Tribune wouldn't sell the Cubs if they opt to recapitalize. The Cubs and WGN are arguably the most profitable assets of Tribune company. It seems odd that they would use resources to reorganize if they plan to divest themselves of the Cubs; it would be more efficient to just sell the Cubs to the highest bidder and use the profits to appease the shareholders.

 

Or it could be more profitable to give the impression that you aren't selling the Cubs, thus, hopefully driving up the offers from potential buyers.

 

Again, we're talking about the Cubs. The offers will be there. These are business people and they aren't going to outbid themselves.

 

Either the news report, of the specific dollar amount, is false; Cuban is crazy; or just a bad negotiator. There is no advantage in letting your competitors know your bid amount (it is not public). Zell is not disclosing his offer.

 

Forbes has already apprasised it's value (add to that the recent sale of the Braves and any reasonable person can assume the starting bid for the Cubs). I find it hard to believe that Cuban would say this publically.

 

Zell cannot put a offer in for the cubs till he dumps his ownership in the White Sox

[goonys evil twin]

Bids have already been rejected. The two California (?) billionaires that submitted a proposal were pretty much dismissed early on... It doesn't get to the owners until the Trib accepts the offer.

 

No, the owners just wouldn't approve it! The Trib would be forced to keep the club, which isn't the worst idea b/c it's still very profitable to them.

 

You aren't differentiating between the Tribune potentially selling itelf, and individuals possibly purchasing the Cubs from the Tribune. It's a seperate issue.

[98navigator]

Bids have already been rejected. The two California (?) billionaires that submitted a proposal were pretty much dismissed early on... It doesn't get to the owners until the Trib accepts the offer.

 

No, the owners just wouldn't approve it! The Trib would be forced to keep the club, which isn't the worst idea b/c it's still very profitable to them.

 

You aren't differentiating between the Tribune potentially selling itelf, and individuals possibly purchasing the Cubs from the Tribune. It's a seperate issue.

 

That's not true. Within their proposal was a plan that included WGN and the Cubs.

[98navigator]

I don't think this is viable. The deadline to submit a proposal is fast approaching and Cuban hasn't officially put his hat in the ring. I think they are reporting more on him saying he likes the idea of owning the Cubs instead of Cuban actively pursuing the goal. Additionally, Crain's Chicago Business is reporting that the Tribune is close to choosing recapitaliation over selling the company.

 

But the Tribune can sell the Cubs whenever they want. The deadline is for TRB reorganization in general. The Cubs are just a very small part of that plan.

 

Everything that I've read claims that Tribune wouldn't sell the Cubs if they opt to recapitalize. The Cubs and WGN are arguably the most profitable assets of Tribune company. It seems odd that they would use resources to reorganize if they plan to divest themselves of the Cubs; it would be more efficient to just sell the Cubs to the highest bidder and use the profits to appease the shareholders.

 

Or it could be more profitable to give the impression that you aren't selling the Cubs, thus, hopefully driving up the offers from potential buyers.

 

Again, we're talking about the Cubs. The offers will be there. These are business people and they aren't going to outbid themselves.

 

Either the news report, of the specific dollar amount, is false; Cuban is crazy; or just a bad negotiator. There is no advantage in letting your competitors know your bid amount (it is not public). Zell is not disclosing his offer.

 

Forbes has already apprasised it's value (add to that the recent sale of the Braves and any reasonable person can assume the starting bid for the Cubs). I find it hard to believe that Cuban would say this publically.

 

Zell cannot put a offer in for the cubs till he dumps his ownership in the White Sox

 

I had that same concern but learned that isn't necessarily true.

[oldstyle81]

I don't think this is viable. The deadline to submit a proposal is fast approaching and Cuban hasn't officially put his hat in the ring. I think they are reporting more on him saying he likes the idea of owning the Cubs instead of Cuban actively pursuing the goal. Additionally, Crain's Chicago Business is reporting that the Tribune is close to choosing recapitaliation over selling the company.

 

But the Tribune can sell the Cubs whenever they want. The deadline is for TRB reorganization in general. The Cubs are just a very small part of that plan.

 

Everything that I've read claims that Tribune wouldn't sell the Cubs if they opt to recapitalize. The Cubs and WGN are arguably the most profitable assets of Tribune company. It seems odd that they would use resources to reorganize if they plan to divest themselves of the Cubs; it would be more efficient to just sell the Cubs to the highest bidder and use the profits to appease the shareholders.

 

Or it could be more profitable to give the impression that you aren't selling the Cubs, thus, hopefully driving up the offers from potential buyers.

 

Again, we're talking about the Cubs. The offers will be there. These are business people and they aren't going to outbid themselves.

 

Either the news report, of the specific dollar amount, is false; Cuban is crazy; or just a bad negotiator. There is no advantage in letting your competitors know your bid amount (it is not public). Zell is not disclosing his offer.

 

Forbes has already apprasised it's value (add to that the recent sale of the Braves and any reasonable person can assume the starting bid for the Cubs). I find it hard to believe that Cuban would say this publically.

 

Zell cannot put a offer in for the cubs till he dumps his ownership in the White Sox

 

I had that same concern but learned that isn't necessarily true.

 

Unless the MLB and each team takes ownership evenly like they did with the Nationals, they arent going to allow 1 man to own 2 teams. the other owners would have a fit since they have never been allowed to do taht themselves

[goonys evil twin]

Bids have already been rejected. The two California (?) billionaires that submitted a proposal were pretty much dismissed early on... It doesn't get to the owners until the Trib accepts the offer.

 

No, the owners just wouldn't approve it! The Trib would be forced to keep the club, which isn't the worst idea b/c it's still very profitable to them.

 

You aren't differentiating between the Tribune potentially selling itelf, and individuals possibly purchasing the Cubs from the Tribune. It's a seperate issue.

 

That's not true. Within their proposal was a plan that included WGN and the Cubs.

 

Obvious the proposal would include what they want to do with WGN and the Cubs. But the proposal that was rejected was a proposal for the entire company, a $7B corporation, of which the Cubs only account for ~ $500m. They didn't reject the Cubs proposal. They rejected the whole thing. There is an enormous difference.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Even though, considering our payroll, our problems don't really stem from ownership, I'd love to see this happen.

 

I know we can't just throw money at the Cubs' problems, but Cuban seems like the type that would bring in forward thinking baseball people, which is exactly what this team needs.

 

Cuban supposedly brought a lot of people to the mix to look at various numbers and stats when he became the Mavericks owner. This is honestly the only guy I'd be interested in seeing become a new owner.

[98navigator]

I don't think this is viable. The deadline to submit a proposal is fast approaching and Cuban hasn't officially put his hat in the ring. I think they are reporting more on him saying he likes the idea of owning the Cubs instead of Cuban actively pursuing the goal. Additionally, Crain's Chicago Business is reporting that the Tribune is close to choosing recapitaliation over selling the company.

 

But the Tribune can sell the Cubs whenever they want. The deadline is for TRB reorganization in general. The Cubs are just a very small part of that plan.

 

Everything that I've read claims that Tribune wouldn't sell the Cubs if they opt to recapitalize. The Cubs and WGN are arguably the most profitable assets of Tribune company. It seems odd that they would use resources to reorganize if they plan to divest themselves of the Cubs; it would be more efficient to just sell the Cubs to the highest bidder and use the profits to appease the shareholders.

 

Or it could be more profitable to give the impression that you aren't selling the Cubs, thus, hopefully driving up the offers from potential buyers.

 

Again, we're talking about the Cubs. The offers will be there. These are business people and they aren't going to outbid themselves.

 

Either the news report, of the specific dollar amount, is false; Cuban is crazy; or just a bad negotiator. There is no advantage in letting your competitors know your bid amount (it is not public). Zell is not disclosing his offer.

 

Forbes has already apprasised it's value (add to that the recent sale of the Braves and any reasonable person can assume the starting bid for the Cubs). I find it hard to believe that Cuban would say this publically.

 

Zell cannot put a offer in for the cubs till he dumps his ownership in the White Sox

 

I had that same concern but learned that isn't necessarily true.

 

Unless the MLB and each team takes ownership evenly like they did with the Nationals, they arent going to allow 1 man to own 2 teams. the other owners would have a fit since they have never been allowed to do taht themselves

 

I hope that is the case because, as I wrote in another thread, I really don't want Zell owning the Cubs. Of course, he has a minority interest in the Sox so, if accepted, he'd sell his shares.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I think it would be cool if two of my favorite sports teams were owned by the same person.

[Jehrico]

I don't think this is viable. The deadline to submit a proposal is fast approaching and Cuban hasn't officially put his hat in the ring. I think they are reporting more on him saying he likes the idea of owning the Cubs instead of Cuban actively pursuing the goal. Additionally, Crain's Chicago Business is reporting that the Tribune is close to choosing recapitaliation over selling the company.

 

But the Tribune can sell the Cubs whenever they want. The deadline is for TRB reorganization in general. The Cubs are just a very small part of that plan.

 

Everything that I've read claims that Tribune wouldn't sell the Cubs if they opt to recapitalize. The Cubs and WGN are arguably the most profitable assets of Tribune company. It seems odd that they would use resources to reorganize if they plan to divest themselves of the Cubs; it would be more efficient to just sell the Cubs to the highest bidder and use the profits to appease the shareholders.

 

Or it could be more profitable to give the impression that you aren't selling the Cubs, thus, hopefully driving up the offers from potential buyers.

 

Again, we're talking about the Cubs. The offers will be there. These are business people and they aren't going to outbid themselves.

 

Either the news report, of the specific dollar amount, is false; Cuban is crazy; or just a bad negotiator. There is no advantage in letting your competitors know your bid amount (it is not public). Zell is not disclosing his offer.

 

Forbes has already apprasised it's value (add to that the recent sale of the Braves and any reasonable person can assume the starting bid for the Cubs). I find it hard to believe that Cuban would say this publically.

Cuban may be a businessman and a billionaire, but he's also an eccentric person who's been rumored for years to have a deep desire to buy the team, so he shouldn't be underestimated. It's hard to say what his angle is. He's most likely aware of the possibility that other owners will disapprove of a sale to him. Like it was previously said, there will be numerous bidders for the Cubs. If another group that the other owners likes bids pretty close to what he bids, he could be SOL despite being top bidder. He may be hoping that if some other potential groups see his initial offer, they'll think they have to outbid him, and ultimately decide to withdraw from contention. There's an opportunity cost that could be lost by leaving millions sitting around waiting to buy the team only to not win the club. So Cuban's got that going for him. The chances of him getting the club only improve if he can scare off other prospective buyers who more closely fit the "mold" that other owners are looking for.

[Soul]

Who else has the proven track record of winning that Cuban has? Among the prospective buyers, I mean.

 

Zell has been in the background to Reinsdorf, right? That doesn't count.

[Amazing_Grace]

I'd love to see Cuban own the Cubs because he obviously cares more about winning than making money in pro sports, and because he's about as far from a traditional baseball guy as you can get. If Cuban bought the team, I predict you'd see payroll climb to close to where Boston's is, and a younger GM brought in to push some new ideas. I doubt he'd fire Piniella, at least not right away. After all, he stuck with Don Nelson all those years in Dallas. I doubt Hendry would last long, as almost every owner wants to bring in their own GM. McDonough might actually survive because Cuban is a busy enough guy that he probably wouldn't take on the job of team president directly.

 

That said, I doubt this happens. Everything points to the Trib keeping the Cubs: the recapitalization talk, the removing of McDonough's interim tag. It certainly seems like they are planning on having the Cubs for a while longer. The Cubs and WGN are so intertwined it would be difficult to sell one and not the other as well; after all, this is how the Trib has been hiding the profits the Cubs make from MLB and the public for a good long while.

 

I don't buy that the other owners would block Cuban, especially if he's essentially the only choice, which is likely since he's the guy that would almost certainly well overpay for the franchise. If Cuban, or anyone, bought the Cubs, the other owners would have to weigh the benefits, a guy paying too much for a team and inflating team values, getting the Cubs away from WGN and freeing up all those profit sharing dollars that the new owner won't be able to hide, vs. the annoyance of dealing with one eccentric. There could also be repercussions. Basically if you block a sale of a team, you've pissed off both the buyer and the seller and you won't be getting any favors next time you try to sell your team.