Posted on 02/28/2007 11:48:07 AM PST by abb
Mark Cuban in Megabucks Bid for Cubs
TEAM SPIRIT CubanBillionaire blogger Mark Cuban is more serious about buying a major league baseball team than he's been letting on. The tech entrepreneur and Dallas Mavericks owner is set to offer $625 million to buy the Chicago Cubs from Tribune Co., according to a source familiar with the matter. "Mark is desperate to buy the Cubs," says the source. "He wants this so bad." Cuban hasn't responded to a message from Radar, but when asked about the Cubs in the past, he has admitted to being a potential buyer. "I'm always interested in iconic teams or teams from my hometown, but it's a 'nice to do,' not a 'have to do,'" he told TheStreet.com on February 9.
Despite their reputation as perennial disappointments, the Cubs are one of the most valuable franchises in baseball; last year, Forbes estimated the team's worth at $448 million. (The Yankees topped the ranking at more than $1 billion.) Cuban's offer represents a sizable premium over that valuation.
Tribune, which has owned the Cubs since 1981, has been exploring a sale in recent months. The company has a buyout offer on the table from Chicago real estate billionaire Sam Zell, but is reportedly leaning toward restructuring on its own. Asked about the Cuban offer, a Tribune spokesman said, "We do not confirm, deny, or comment on speculation regarding our business or any of our business units."
OH TOMKOWWWW and rest of Chicago Freepers
Gawd I hope not, this guy would end up destroying the franchise.... He's a horses ass, too much history there to let this yutz get involved with em.
The Cube certainly wouldn't be shy about paying for top-notch talent. .....a Steinbrennerian payroll. I'd love to see it.
If I know Mark he probably set up Chicago Cub blog LOL!
Yeah, 99 years since their last World Series win. Nice history.
Cuban won't stand for that sort of futility/incompetence. I suspect Cubs fans would readily forgive him for being "a horses ass" if he can bring them home titles.
I agree that the guy is a doorknob, but you gotta admit that the Mav's are now one of the premier NBA teams/franchises only 5+ years into his ownership.
He would spare no expense trying to make the Cubs a winner.
I wonder if he'll demand a new stadium for the Cubs the way he did for the Mavericks?
Like he's done to the MAVs...completely destroyed them.
free Tacos with each homerun?
Yup, damn Mav's only have the best record in the NBA at 48-9. Mark has really destroyed the Mavs.
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