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