Mark Cuban Looking to Purchase Chicago Cubs
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When talking about the new Cubs ownership, be sure to mention a certain Cuban as a potential buyer. Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks since 2000, has applied to become the newest owner of one of Major League Baseball’s most storied franchises.
It has been estimated that the Chicago Cubs may end up costing upwards of $600 million (the Tribune paid only $20.5 million in 1981), which is not a particularly difficult amount to come up with, if you are an Internet billionaire such as Cuban. Should he get ownership of the team, it would certainly be an interesting ride, as there are few owners that are quite like him.
Many think that Major League Baseball would deny Cuban a chance to own a team because of his unconventional ownership methods. He has become a target of plenty of criticism in the NBA community for the way he runs the Mavericks. The way he spends money and his enthusiasm for the team that sometimes spills over into fan-like tantrums and arguments has certainly drawn the ire of many people.
On the other hand, a person like Cuban might be exactly what the Cubs need to at least start thinking about becoming a perennial playoff team. No one can doubt his passion for the team he runs, which is an underrated quality in him and one that should be evident in more owners of teams. He would obviously do anything to help a team win, and he has proven that his methods work by assembling a team that made the NBA Finals in 2006.
And while he might get the Steinbrenner treatment by the rest of baseball’s community, Cubs fans will thoroughly enjoy watching a competitive team and players will want to play for an owner like Cuban. No salary cap to worry about? Watch out; the Cubs could be fighting for a World Series berth much sooner than you think.
The bidding for the team will most definitely be competitive considering what is at stake. Cuban may have the leg up in that department, as one would be hard-pressed to find an owner who is more competitive or passionate than him.
Joining the Mavericks’ owner in the bidding process is the Ricketts family, a family that is worth $2.3 billion. John Canning, a part-owner of the Milwaukee Brewers, and Don Levin, owner of the Chicago Wolves minor league hockey team, have also expressed interest in bidding for the team. Other entrepreneurs, business groups, and partnerships have joined the bidding party as well.
Reminisce about your last World Series victory (it will be 100 years next season), Cubs fans, then be sure to look toward the future. If Cuban is at the helm, it will most certainly be a bright one, even if the rest of baseball doesn’t want to admit it.
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