Tribune Co. Reportedly In Talks With Second Cubs Bidder

Tribune Co. Reportedly Discussing Two Offers For Cubs Sale

RICKETTS STILL THE FRONT-RUNNER: Crain's Chicago Business' Ed Sherman said, "You still have to think that the Ricketts deal is going to get done eventually. Maybe this is the Tribune Co.'s way of trying to squeeze every last dollar out of this deal.” Sherman: “This thing has taken a long time because they waited way too long to get it done and it got into … the economy downturn, which cost the Tribune Co. at least you would have to think $100(M), if not more. They are trying to get as much as they can out of the deal.” He added, “At the end of the day, Ricketts is going to get this deal and the sooner the better for the Cubs" ("Chicago Tribune Live," CSN Chicago, 7/7). CNBC’s Darren Rovell added, "We hear that Ricketts is still the guy, and it still has to go through the normal process." But CNBC's Bill Griffeth noted Tribune Co. Chair Sam Zell is "one of the savviest negotiators out there, and you know he's going to play these two guys off each other" ("Power Lunch," CNBC, 7/7).

THE GREAT CHICAGO CIRCUS: In Chicago, Rick Morrissey writes a "spectator sport, the sale of the Cubs is right up there with competitive weed whacking." The details of negotiations "would make your eyes roll back in your head, but the recent developments set off all sorts of anticipation that the Great Day would be upon us soon," the day that Tribune Co. "releases its death grip on the ballclub." Morrissey: "But if you believe a parade is just around the corner because Tom Ricketts or Marc Utay is taking over the franchise, here's a bottle and there's the bathroom for the drug test." The Cubs are "heading into the great unknown and most everyone is OK with it," and fans will "take the unknown over the known because, mostly, the known has been nothing but heartache" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 7/8).

CHANGE AT THE TOP: In Illinois, Mike Imrem writes the new Cubs owner needs to "name a team president to oversee all departments, including and especially baseball operations." Former Cubs President John McDonough, a "marketing guy, wasn't the answer," nor is Cubs Chair Crane Kenney. The new owner also "won't know baseball's landscape well enough to be the answer." The Cubs "need a baseball man" as president, someone who should "have a grasp of where the economy is going and whether there's an option out there that dollar for dollar makes more sense" (Illinois DAILY HERALD, 7/8).

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