Mark Cuban submits offer to buy the Chicago Cubs

[Young Drachma]

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/stories/2007/07/13/0714cuban.html

Mark Cuban has taken his interest in the Chicago Cubs to the next level.

The Mavericks' owner confirmed Thursday night that he has applied to Major League Baseball for a possible purchase of the legendary franchise.

But Cuban declined to elaborate on what comes next or how his pursuit of the Cubs might affect his ownership and involvement with the Mavericks. Cuban has successfully balanced the Mavericks and numerous other diverse businesses, including HDNet.

"I submitted the application and have no comment on the rest," Cuban wrote in an e-mail response to several questions.

Cuban joins a long list of potential buyers for the Cubs and fabled Wrigley Field, which the Tribune Co. placed on the block in April.

The Chicago Tribune listed six other rumored individuals or groups in addition to Cuban. The bidding, which includes a stake in Comcast SportsNet, could exceed $1 billion, according to an investment banker surveyed by the newspaper.

Because of his billionaire status, high media profile and success in turning the Mavericks into one of the NBA's top franchises, Cuban has frequently been linked with the potential purchases of other pro teams.

At various times, the Pittsburgh native's name has surfaced regarding the hometown Pirates and Penguins.

In June, he acknowledged an interest in becoming an owner in the start-up United Football League.

Cuban has been queried about the Cubs for a while. On July 15, 2005, he donned a Cubs jersey and led the traditional singing of Take Me Out to the Ball Game during a game against the Pirates at Wrigley Field.

During last year's NBA Finals, Cuban e-mailed Chicago Sun-Times columnist Jay Mariotti to say that he would be interested in the Cubs if they ever hit the market.

"I've been there a bunch of times and had a blast every time," Cuban wrote. "It's attractive because (the Cubs) are an institution in Chicago."

[Swaggs]

Boo!

I'm still holding out hope that he can get his hands on the Pirates. :(

[spleen1015]

I hope he gets them.

EDIT - Hell, I hope he gets a MLB team, regardless of who it is.

[MikeVic]

Yeah, I just want him to own a team. The Blue Jays! Then i'd feel better about cheering for them. I hate Rogers the company.

[spleen1015]

It would be cool if he got the Royals. Take a small market team and turn them into a top 5 team.

[JeeberD]

I wish he would keep his hands off the sucky teams in the NL Central. Unless he wants to buy the Astros from that tightwad Drayton, that is...

[cthomer5000]

I really love Mark Cuban. One of my actual idols.

[Young Drachma]

Yeah, I just want him to own a team. The Blue Jays! Then i'd feel better about cheering for them. I hate Rogers the company.

I don't mind Rogers. I hate Riccardi.

[MikeVic]

I don't mind Rogers. I hate Riccardi.

I just don't like Rogers for personal reasons. I signed on for a cell phone with them a couple years ago (3-year plan). It was a family sharing type thing. We were told what the deal is, how much we'll pay, and liked it. The first month had the quoted price, and after that it went up something like $10-15. Which wasn't a savings over what I previously had. We've (my parents and I) voiced out displeasure, and how we felt we were lied to. Multiple times. And they keep on phoning with "would you like to add another phone to your family plan?" My mom just responds with "no, but once our contract is up we're done with Rogers." And then hangs up the phone.

I also think their service is not as good as advertised. We're supposed to get reception all over Manitoba, yet when we drive about an hour north of Winnipeg, our phones cut out. And someone with a Telus phone still has their's working! :mad:

They actually do seem to spend on the Jays, which is nice.

[duckman]

Please, God, make it so!

[gkb]

I was kind of hoping he'd buy the Rockies...

[Atocep]

The Tribune is handling the sale from what I've read and they aren't interested in selling to him.

They just need to bring somone in that'll fire Hendry.

[Neuqua]

While I would love for it to happen, I highly doubt it will.

[miami_fan]

The Tribune is handling the sale from what I've read and they aren't interested in selling to him.

They just need to bring somone in that'll fire Hendry.

According to Peter Gammons, MLB does not want him to own a team. The story Gammons gave today and has given in the past in a nutshell is that Cuban has been nothing but trouble for David Stern and the NBA owners. MLB owners would not want to deal with that kind of trouble. Evidently, Jerry Reinsdorf hates Cuban and is one of the leading voices for keeping him out.

[flere-imsaho]

Cuban has been nothing but trouble for David Stern and the NBA owners. MLB owners would not want to deal with that kind of trouble.

All the more reason for getting him an MLB team, IMO.

[Bubba Wheels]

Cuban would be great news for Cubby fans. Some study showed teams owned by individuals win championships, teams owned by corporations do not.

[Subby]

Cuban would be great news for Cubby fans. Some study showed teams owned by individuals win championships, teams owned by corporations do not.
They needed a study to show that? :)

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Put me in the group that thinks Cuban is a wonderful sports franchise owner. I would absolutely love it if he took over a small to mid-market team and injected it with a little cash and enthusiasm. But I can also see why other "stodgy" owners of teams would not like to have him around.

[bhlloy]

Cuban in a league without a salary cap is going to scare the crap out of the owners who are in the business to make money. Dude clearly doesn't care about a bit of luxury tax getting in the way of him winning. Poor owner who whined about Ichiro's deal would have a frickin' heart attack.

If he did manage to get the team by the end of the year, A-Rod would be a Cubby for sure, even if he had to pay him 40m a year to get him there.

If he does get a team, I'd love it to be a true small market team. That would be real fun to watch.

[sterlingice]

If he does get a team, I'd love it to be a true small market team. That would be real fun to watch.

Yeah, which is why the Cuban to Pittsburgh rumors were a lot more fun.

The Cubs have the cash if they want to use it. That said, how about putting more than about 40 games a year on WGN, back to the way it used to be.

SI

[korme]

I want Cuban to own a team, as long as it's not in the freaking NL Central! He could take the Pirates and literally compete with Boston salary wise. He doesn't care, he just wants to win. That's scary!