Beginning of the end? - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

alby · 07-13-2007, 01:25 AM

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2934920

Fans of the Windy City's lovable losers can count a maverick NBA owner among those interested in purchasing the Chicago Cubs.

The Chicago Tribune reports that Mark Cuban says that he has submitted his application to Major League Baseball to purchase the Cubs. Cuban, who has owned the NBA's Dallas Mavericks since January of 2000 and is known for his free-spending ways, told the newspaper he sent the paperwork in last week.

Cuban's efforts to enter the already crowded field to purchase the team is being met with some speculation. The Tribune summed up Cuban's efforts to buy the team in its Thursday edition as follows: "And while Internet billionaire Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, has expressed interest, most observers think Major League Baseball would balk at a potential owner as unpredictable and outspoken as Cuban."

When e-mailed by the Tribune to respond to the sentence, Cuban replied via e-mail: "I never comment on 'most observers' reports. It's like responding to a random blog post, a waste of time."
The Tribune Co. announced it would sell the team at season's end in April, after the ailing media conglomerate announced its acquisition by billionaire investor Sam Zell. It put one of sports' most storied and star-crossed franchises on the block, a year shy of the 100th anniversary of its last World Series title.

Zell, a real estate magnate who already owns part of his hometown Bulls and White Sox, did not comment about why he's was not interested in keeping the Cubs in connection with the $8.2 billion deal. The team is one of Tribune's richest assets.

Cuban faces some stiff competition among suitors for the Cubs. The Tribune reported Thursday that the Ricketts family, which founded discount broker TD Ameritrade Holding Corp., has joined the list of potential bidders.

Sources close to the situation said the Ricketts family is readying their application MLB requires for all parties wishing to bid on a franchise. The group is led by Thomas Ricketts, 41, who is the founder and chief executive of the Chicago-based investment firm, Incapital Holdings LLC.

Thomas Ricketts is the son of J. Joe Ricketts, an Omaha billionaire who founded Ameritrade. Forbes Magazine this year estimated the Ricketts' family worth is $2.3 billion.
The Tribune reports other bidders include John Canning, who heads the Chicago-based private-equity firm Madison Dearborn Partners and is a part-owner of the Milwaukee Brewers. Additionally, a partnership of restaurateur Larry Levy and Chicago business owner Craig Duchossois is also thought to be interested in entering the fray.

Don Levin, who owns the Chicago Wolves minor league hockey team has said he is interested in bidding for the team, as is a partnership of Chicago attorney Thomas Mandler and area businessman Jim Anixter. A group led by industrialist and private-equity investor Thomas Begel may also try bidding on the Cubs, the newspaper reports.
Bidding for the ballclub and historic Wrigley Field, however, is certain to be fiercely competitive. Analysts have estimated the Cubs could fetch $600 million or more, a far cry from the $20.5 million Tribune paid in 1981.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

chumdawg · 07-13-2007, 01:44 AM

Cuban is out of ideas, with the Mavericks. He can bring a team to respectability, but he can't get them over the hump. He is most at home as an underdog.

Nash13 · 07-13-2007, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chumdawg

Cuban is out of ideas, with the Mavericks. He can bring a team to respectability, but he can't get them over the hump. He is most at home as an underdog.

You realize you just described Don Nelson right?

chumdawg · 07-13-2007, 02:25 AM

The thought would have never dawned upon me. But now that you mention it, it makes perfect sense.

Willstar · 07-13-2007, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nash13

You realize you just described Don Nelson right?

thats exactly what i thought

Usually Lurkin · 07-13-2007, 06:41 AM

am I wrong for hoping madape is a cubs fan?

Darth Ape · 07-13-2007, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chumdawg

Cuban is out of ideas, with the Mavericks. He can bring a team to respectability, but he can't get them over the hump. He is most at home as an underdog.

Wrong. Don Nelson can bring a team to respectability. Mark Cuban's behavior defies respect.

Darth Ape · 07-13-2007, 07:22 AM

Since you asked, I've always been a Rangers fan #1 and for some reason a Padres fan #2. THere's your madape insight for the day.

Usually Lurkin · 07-13-2007, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth Ape

THere's your madape insight for the day.

It is the name of your true self. You've only
forgotten. I know there is good in you. The
Nellie hasn't driven it from you fully.

Flacolaco · 07-13-2007, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth Ape

Wrong. Don Nelson can bring a team to respectability. Mark Cuban's behavior defies respect.

The Dallas Mavericks are a perfectly respectable team.

The respectability he takes away from himself does not change that.

Henry_VIII · 07-13-2007, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth Ape

Since you asked, I've always been a Rangers fan #1 and for some reason a Padres fan #2. THere's your madape insight for the day.

Oh no! I might share something in common with Ape

I grew up going to Padres games, so I have a soft spot for them as well. I even attended the double header game where Rosanne Barr sang the national anthem.

MavsX · 07-13-2007, 09:27 AM

Rosanne Barr is a travesty

MascisMan · 07-13-2007, 10:58 AM

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slu...v=ap&type=lgns

92bDad · 07-13-2007, 11:20 AM

Cuban is something else...he was a lucky one who got out of the .com mess before it crashed and now he is living the dream the most fans have always wanted.

I would love to see him forgo the Cubs and invest into the local team instead...

I wonder what type of impact his efforst will have in regards to the Mavs...after last off-season and his nearly sold rumor...I wonder if he is going to stick it out with the Mavs?

alby · 07-13-2007, 11:31 AM

No big moves this summer after a Finals collapse and a 1st round exit, maybe he already decided to quit on the Mavs--and is saving payroll? =\

Sorry to sound like a pessimist, but you never know

Darth Ape · 07-13-2007, 02:48 PM

First he talks about starting his own football league, now this.

Does he have severe ADD or is he so sick of being a billionaire he's just looking for ways to flush money down the toilet?

u2sarajevo · 07-13-2007, 03:02 PM

I doubt being the owner of the Cubs would be equated to flushing money down the toilet.

The football thing though, I agree.

nowhereman · 07-13-2007, 03:06 PM

this isn't the first time this has come up. When the cuban-cubs rumors started circulating about 3 months ago, and well before then when the cuban-phillies rumors existed, cuban was adamant that he wouldn't sell the mavs.

i think cuban-cubs would be amazing.

Flacolaco · 07-13-2007, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by u2sarajevo

I doubt being the owner of the Cubs would be equated to flushing money down the toilet.

The football thing though, I agree.

No doubt.

The Cubs don't spend to their revenues do they? He would make money hand over fist even if they do sign A-rod for 30 million a year.

(Why are they being sold again?)

horse900703 · 07-13-2007, 03:33 PM

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