It’s been a little while since we’ve obsessed about the sale of the Chicago Cubs. The family Ricketts won the bidding – which means they get exclusive rights to negotiate with the Tribune Company – but other than a sale of TD Ameritrade stock to help finance the purchase, we haven’t heard much.
MLB Commissioner Bud Selig says he hasn’t really heard much either.
“There’s ongoing discussions with the Ricketts family and Tribune Company people and that’s where it is right now. It hasn’t moved from there. It still hasn’t come close to us [for approval]. But I’m very anxious for it to proceed and I think [the sale] is in everybodys best interest.”
Certainly no one expected the sale to close any time before Opening Day at the very earliest, but still… Selig’s choice of words are disconcerting.
Perhaps of greatest note to Cubs fans, Selig has no idea how close to a done deal this thing is.
“One can be hopeful about Opening Day but I’m not sure they’ll make it,” Selig said. “It’s up to the parties. There’s a lot of conversations going on.”
Again, slightly disconcerting. The fact that Tom Ricketts sold a bajillion (that’s a technical term) dollars worth of stock to free up cash for the sale is generally all the reassurance I need that this thing isn’t going to fall apart. But still, it would be comforting to feel like Selig is a little more in the loop – and is more positive that a deal will be completed soon.