I was watching "Chicago Tonight" a while back(last summer, I think) when Bob Sirott was still hosting and he had a chat with the managing editor(I think was his title) of Crane's Chicago Business who was a frequent guest on the show. Anyways they were talking about the speculation of the Tribune selling the Cubs. And this guest went on to say that the selling of the Cubs is far from unfathomable. Bob Sirott questioned the motive to sell when they have made such a profit in the purchase just as you stated, "21 million in 1981 and now they're worth over 500 million". The guest From Crane's Chicago Business explained that as long as the Cubs keep the team it is just that......a number. If it is/was about money than they would/will just cash in that cow(i.e. sell). Well, only if you thought the value was going to go down. As long as it continues to rise, just hang on to the coat-tails and let her go. ......which is probably what the Trib is doing, come to think of it.