Earlier today, the AP reported on the email super agent Scott Boras sent to players, arguing that they should not bend on salary because doing so would be akin to “bailing out” owners who’ve taken on debt over the years to finance the purchases of their teams.
In the email, Boras singled out the Ricketts Family for their debt-financed purchase of the Cubs and renovation of Wrigley Field.
Gordon Wittenmyer tonight writes about that, about the situation on the whole, and gets a response from a Ricketts Family spokesman:
Scott Boras singles out Cubs in email advising clients not to "bail out" owners; Cubs clap back. "Nevertheless, we thank Mr. Boras for weighing in." https://t.co/p2qJSo42Q1
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) May 28, 2020
“The Ricketts family invested $750 million to save iconic Wrigley Field for fans today and for future generations. At every level they’ve built the best player facilities in the game,” Dennis Culloton said. “In 2019, the Cubs had one of the top baseball payrolls in the game. The fact of the matter is 70 percent of the team’s revenues which support the baseball operations come from having fans at the ballpark.
“Nevertheless, we thank Mr. Boras for weighing in.”
Probably the wise move to focus on the visible expenditures that have benefited the players and the fans. And, as I said earlier, although Boras’s point does raise an important conversation, I do think many owners will have responses at the ready that focus on their losses this year.
Read Wittenmyer’s piece for more background and analysis. I anticipate we’ll hear more about this stuff soon, and Jeff Passan has indicated (via ESPN1000) that he anticipates a formal offer/response from the players as soon as tomorrow.
For more on Boras’s point and my thoughts, see the earlier write-up.