Sale of Minority Stake in the Cubs Back in the News and Other Bullets

ricketts-family-wrigley-fieldHope folks are staying warm-ish out there. All these pictures from Spring Training are making me happy for the baseball, but the remote warming effect is not taking hold. Instead, I just have to patiently wait for March 9 when I finally head out to Mesa.

Speaking of which, I’ll have a full Spring Training update coming soon. Until then, non-ST Bullets …

  • There was a report yesterday that South Bend Cubs owner Andrew Berlin would soon be taking a minority stake in the big league team, which would be very notable given last year’s indications that the Ricketts Family was considering selling minority interests in the Cubs at a huge valuation. It’s been tentatively expected for quite some time that this would eventually happen (read those three links if you’ve missed any of the background on why this would simultaneously be not a big deal, but also a good thing). But Berlin denied on Twitter that he was getting directly involved with the Cubs, calling the report “premature,” which was an interesting choice of word. In any case, this is something to watch. Minority stakes are typically regarded as merely an investment – rather than a way to have a real voice in the organization – but it’s appealing to have some of that minority interest going to someone who already understands the game (Berlin is presently a minority owner in the White Sox) and is already a part of the broader organization.
  • Ameet Sachdev adds in the Tribune that sources say the Ricketts could sell up to 20% of the team, and the family could be close to completing deals with investors.
  • Oh, and my offer stands: if the Ricketts Family would like to sell me 0.001% of the organization for $20,000 (that’s a $2B valuation), I will totally come up with the cash. Conflict of interest concerns are dumb.
  • Patrick Mooney spoke with Anthony Rizzo about the Wrigley renovations, and about the rooftops’ failed attempt to get a TRO blocking construction of the outfield signs (which, to remind you, is just the first legal step). More on the court’s ruling here from Jon Greenberg.
  • Tim Brown offers the kind of nice, interesting, national read on the Cubs and Joe Maddon that we didn’t see much in the last three years once the rebuild really set in.
  • Also, Phil Rogers looks back at the Cubs organization changed at the advent of, and then during, the Ricketts Family era of ownership. Getting the new front office in place was obviously the defining moment.
  • A FanGraphs fantasy look at the Cubs’ infield.
  • Rick Kaempfer is writing a small biography for every single Cubs player ever. You can see his work at Just One Bad Century, and you can read about it here at DNAinfo. Also: certain well-respected, handsome bloggers make their way into the “T” section.
  • The things you find on the Twitters:
  • written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more cubs news

    WAKE UP, BASEBALL IS BACK

    The day has arrived. Opening Day. The most glorious day on the baseball calendar, save for the day of each Chicago Cubs World Series win, of course. See, I get to say things like that on Opening Day. Maybe the...

    Wrigley Field is Gonna Be Lit This Year (As in New Colored Lights!)

    Last year, the Cubs started using their new LED outfield lights to do a little dancing display during 'Go Cubs Go,' lighting along with the song and throwing in a W. It was very fun and I liked it. This...

    The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

    Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

    Why Craig Counsell Wanted Miles Mastrobuoni on the Cubs’ Bench

    I don't know why Miles Mastrobuoni bugs some folks, but it's probably heavily-weighted toward his small-sample, bad-batted-ball-luck start last year, and that time he didn't dive while playing in right field. It can be hard to shake initial impressions, I...

    Kinda Sounds Like Craig Counsell May Have a Set Top Three in the Batting Order

    New Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell has said, generally, his batting order philosophy is the very simplistic (and very correct): just get your best hitters the most at bats. Sure, there's some play in that to set up good match-ups,...

    Los Angeles Dodgers Signing Will Smith to a TEN-YEAR Extension

    The Los Angeles Dodgers have done it again. And by it, I mean they have signed a funkily-structured contract that is going to leave some folks annoyed. The Dodgers are extending catcher Will Smith on a DECADE-long deal with a...

    The Stretch: 2024 MLB Season Preview

    On Monday, during a team-building conversation with some of the Bleacher Nation and Betsperts Media Group folks, we discussed sports—shocking, I know—and Brian Twining asked the group what their favorite sport was. For me, it's baseball. There's no debate. I...

    We Have to Talk About Some of the “Deals” the Cubs Sat Out in Free Agency

    This week, in a conversation with Jon Greenberg at The Athletic, Cubs President Jed Hoyer made an honest and sober (but also moderately disappointing) admission about the 2024 Chicago Cubs: "We need to perform probably at or a little bit...

    The Chicago Cubs Are Reportedly Now Worth Over $5 Billion

    Given all the tumult in the baseball broadcasting world, and the uncertain future for that portion of revenues, you'd be forgiven for expecting that MLB franchise valuations would slow their recent surge. But, according to Sportico at least, you'd be...

    Reds Second Baseman Matt McLain Had Shoulder Surgery

    The injury to Matt McLain's shoulder issue obviously wound up being worse than he and the Cincinnati Reds had been hoping. The damage to his left (non-throwing) labrum ultimately required surgery: https://twitter.com/m_sheldon/status/1772993402604339478 When the hope is that a guy can...

    Latest News

    Rangers vs. Cubs Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

    The Texas Rangers (0-0) and the Chicago Cubs (0-0) square off on Thursday at Globe Life Field for Opening Day. First pitch is at 7:35 PM ET.The Rangers will call on Nathan Eovaldi against the Cubs and Justin Steele.Rangers vs....

    Best NBA Prop Bets Today – March 28, 2024

    The Boston Celtics and the Atlanta Hawks take the court for one of two exciting matchups on the NBA slate today.Looking for NBA player prop bets for today's games? This article includes NBA player props for every matchup, so take...

    UNC vs Alabama Predictions and Odds: March Madness Best Bets

    We have a great matchup in the Sweet 16 between (1) North Carolina and (4) Alabama. Let's break down the odds, ATS records, and more for UNC vs Alabama as March Madness continues. Read More: Today's schedule and upset picks...

    Seattle Seahawks Offseason Preview: 2024 Free Agents and Team Needs

    The Seattle Seahawks turn the page on a historic era as they enter the 2024 season without Pete Carroll at the helm for the first time since 2010. Carroll's impact on the franchise is undeniable, crafting a period of sustained...

    Who Is In The Sweet 16? Updated Bracket, Odds to Win, and More

    It has been a great March Madness so far and we have more great matchups in the Sweet 16. Check out what teams are in the Sweet 16, odds, and more as the college basketball season rolls on. Latest March...

    Today’s March Madness Schedule: Updated Bracket, TV Channels for Every Game

    The Sweet 16 is here as March Madness brings us some great matchups tonight! Check out today's March Madness schedule along with game times, TV channels, and more as the college basketball season's biggest games continue. The Sweet 16 Begins...

    2024 MLB Mock Draft: Opening Day Mock Draft Projections

    Happy Opening Day! As the new baseball season begins, and hope is present among most fanbases, why not take a look at a new 2024 MLB Mock Draft? Various mock drafts meticulously analyze potential picks, emphasizing the abundance of talent...

    WAKE UP, BASEBALL IS BACK

    The day has arrived. Opening Day. The most glorious day on the baseball calendar, save for the day of each Chicago Cubs World Series win, of course. See, I get to say things like that on Opening Day. Maybe the...

    Pac-12 Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | March 28

    There is one game featuring a Pac-12 teams on the Thursday postseason college basketball schedule, the Clemson Tigers versus the Arizona Wildcats. Make sure you check out below for today's best bets!How to Bet on Pac-12 Games[lasso rel="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"]Best Pac-12...

    Rays vs. Blue Jays Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Tampa Bay Rays open their season as -132 favorites in a home matchup with the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday at 4:10 PM ET, live on MLB Network.Zach Eflin will get the ball for Tampa Bay while Toronto will...

    more cubs news