http://sportstwo.com/MLB/Story/MLB/2685658 Report: Cuban among potential Cubs" buyers Thursday, July 24, 2008 03:35 PM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban reportedly is still among the potential list of potential buyers for the Chicago Cubs. The Chicago Sun-Times reported Thursday that the Cubs have narrowed the original list of 10 prospective buyers to five and Cuban is still in the running. All five have submitted bids of $1 billion or more to the Tribune Company, which owns the franchise. According to the Sun-Times, however, Cuban is not preferred by major league owners because of his outspoken ways. Since buying the Mavericks in 2000, he has incurred fines in excess of $1 million for his frequent criticism of NBA officials. Major League Baseball rules specify that 75 percent of the owners must approve any sale. The Sun-Times reported that the Tribune Company has rejected a bid from a large investment group led by John Canning Jr., who is a part owner of the Milwaukee Brewers and close associate of commissioner Bud Selig. The group was considered the favorite of Major League Baseball. "His bid was not at a high enough level," a source told the Sun-Times. "He's out. He could rebid. He could say, 'I'm sorry, I forgot a decimal point.' But as of now, he's out." According to the Sun-Times, the rejection of Canning's bid could be an indication of growing tension between Tribune chairman Sam Zell and the other owners. The Cubs were recently fined $500,000 for violations related to last month's draft. The commissioner's office determined that the Cubs failed to report a signing to MLB's New York offices and put the player on the field before receiving approval for the signing.
I guess theres still a question of getting approval from the other owners despite the fact that he was on the pre-approved bidders list....I hope he wins
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (TheBeef @ Jul 24 2008, 04:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I guess theres still a question of getting approval from the other owners despite the fact that he was on the pre-approved bidders list....I hope he wins</div> I don't. I used to root for the Mavs. He's turned me off. He distracts from the on-field product... and not in a good way. -Petey
In spite of all the histrionics, he's a passionate fan as owner and willing to pay for winners and really wants to win. Unfortunately, I am not sure if $1M in fines is enough to entice the baseball owners to put up with the headaches.
Baseball is such a long season, and a guy like Cuban, that will spare no expense to help the players remain comfortable, could actually influence the way a team plays with his private planes and elaborate clubhouses....players like to play for him, and I know he would push the limits of the payroll to win, so Im all for it....
