Mark Cuban: Future Cubs Owner?
August 4, 2008 by Mike
I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that Major League Baseball Commissioner, Bud Selig won’t be that big a fan of Mark Cuban. The Dallas Mavericks owner, who is fined more than anyone else in sports, is reportedly the high bidder for the Chicago Cubs. The NY Times writes:
Buying the Cubs is the latest project for Cuban, the owner of the N.B.A.’s Dallas Mavericks, but he is not alone in the expensive quest. Four other individuals and groups have given the debt-laden Tribune Company nonbinding offers of at least $1 billion for the team, its stake in Comcast SportsNet Chicago, and 92-year-old Wrigley Field.
Cuban is reported to be the top bidder, at nearly $1.3 billion, but the auction will begin soon, after the applicants and their bankers delve further into the assets books.
“The Cubs are an amazing franchise and brand,” Cuban wrote in an e-mail message. “I think the owner of any major sports franchise has two jobs: first, it’s to work hard to win a championship year after year, and second, to be the caretaker of the franchise in the community.”
Great, just another reason to hate the Cubs. I’m not sure if a Lou Pinella/Mark Cuban marriage will last too long. As good as Cuban would be for Baseball, I’m guessing Bud Selig and the other owners in the league want Cuban no where near MLB.
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MLB, the Commissioner,and the other owners would be making a big mistake by not “embracing him” as NBA commissioner David Stearn advised. Although outspoken, he has been a blessing to the NBA and the city of Dallas. He is very passionate about the franchise and extremely supportive of the community. The fact that he is the most fined owner is almost entirely due to his questioning the integrity and accountability of NBA officials. Seems he’s not the only one with such questions these days.
I am prone to agree that Mr. Selig and the other owners would want no part of Mark Cuban. He’s not their kind of guy, he’s young and innovative, full of fresh ideas, a natural business man for whom everything he touches turns to gold. I can just see him taking a great old franchise, rich in tradition, with one of the greatest venues in all of sports, and turning the Cubs into “America’s team.” Oh ya, some young guy with fresh ideas from Dallas already did that in another sport.