CHICAGO (AP) - Media conglomerate Tribune Co. announced ... agreement to sell all but a 5 percent stake in the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field to the billionaire Ricketts family on Friday, capping a tortuous selection process that began nearly 2 1/2 years ago.
Tribune valued the transaction at about $845 million.
"Our family is thrilled to have reached an agreement to acquire a controlling interest in the Chicago Cubs," said Joe Ricketts, who founded the Omaha, Nebraska-based online brokerage TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.
"The Cubs have the greatest fans in the world, and we count our family among them."
[ Retrieved by Pat Darnell and the Mugwumps ... Read Article HERE]
The sale figure exceeds the record $660 million paid for the Boston Red Sox in 2002 by a group headed by John Henry, although that deal did not include a ballpark.
The Ricketts family bid was led by Tom Ricketts, 43, a Chicago investment banker and Joe Ricketts' son. He is a Cubs die-hard who grew up watching the team, once lived in an apartment above a bar across the street from Wrigley and first met his wife in the stands at a game.
MLB still must approve the sale, but that is not expected to be an obstacle. The ownership change needs to be approved by three-quarters of the league's 30 owners.
[ ... ]
Tribune purchased the Cubs from candy and chewing gum maker Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. for $20.5 million in June 1981.
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Meanwhile back at the Hockey Rink ... did you know ::
Cubs: Archives Billy Joel, Elton John [played] Wrigley Field
Noted New York Mets fan Billy Joel and Elton John will be the latest to turn Wrigley Field into a concert venue this year as ... [they have appeared] ... at Wrigley on Tuesday, July 21 at 7 p.m.
Tribune valued the transaction at about $845 million.
"Our family is thrilled to have reached an agreement to acquire a controlling interest in the Chicago Cubs," said Joe Ricketts, who founded the Omaha, Nebraska-based online brokerage TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.
"The Cubs have the greatest fans in the world, and we count our family among them."
[ Retrieved by Pat Darnell and the Mugwumps ... Read Article HERE]
The sale figure exceeds the record $660 million paid for the Boston Red Sox in 2002 by a group headed by John Henry, although that deal did not include a ballpark.
The Ricketts family bid was led by Tom Ricketts, 43, a Chicago investment banker and Joe Ricketts' son. He is a Cubs die-hard who grew up watching the team, once lived in an apartment above a bar across the street from Wrigley and first met his wife in the stands at a game.
MLB still must approve the sale, but that is not expected to be an obstacle. The ownership change needs to be approved by three-quarters of the league's 30 owners.
[ ... ]
Tribune purchased the Cubs from candy and chewing gum maker Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. for $20.5 million in June 1981.
##############
Meanwhile back at the Hockey Rink ... did you know ::
Cubs: Archives Billy Joel, Elton John [played] Wrigley Field
Noted New York Mets fan Billy Joel and Elton John will be the latest to turn Wrigley Field into a concert venue this year as ... [they have appeared] ... at Wrigley on Tuesday, July 21 at 7 p.m.
COMMENTS -- bloggers say the darndest things ...
By Steve on February 10, 2009 ::
Seriously? I can think of at least 20 other acts that would be better at Wrigley than this pair.
Don't get me wrong, both of them have enough hits that are great to listen to on a road trip...but to pay that much to see them at Wrigley is effen ridiculous!
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By Anonymous on February 12, 2009 4:42 PM
"Seriously", Steve: I'd LOVE to know what those 20 'other' acts would be !! These gentlemen are certified legends, and when it comes to performing, they can, and ALWAYS deliver the goods in concert! Also, there are 3 different price levels for these stadium shows. Arena performances are often much more "effen ridiculous"...
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By Steve on February 13, 2009 1:42 PM
Mr. Anonymous,
It's obvious your love for John and Joel cloud your judgment.
These guys are no longer relevant. Have they released anything new?
It's the same thing when the Police came. Good stuff in the '80's, but pretty much old news now.
Plus, where do you think you will be sitting for $55.00?
And because you asked, here are 20 bands that I would rather see (that are relevant today and a big enough act to warrant a stadium show), off the top of my head and in no particular order...
1.) Dave Matthews Band
2.) Wilco
3.) R.E.M
4.) Eddie Vedder (with or without Pearl Jam)
5.) The Flaming Lips
6.) My Morning Jacket
7.) The Killers
8.) Kings of Leon
9.) The Arcade Fire
10.) Radiohead
11.) Coldplay
12.) Weezer
13.) Beck
14.) The White Stripes (or The Raconteurs)
15.) Foo Fighters
16.) Cake
17.) Tom Petty (solo, w/the Heartbreakers or as Mudcrutch)
18.) Jack Johnson
19.) Ben Harper
20.) O.A.R.
The list could keep going, but you get my point.
Hey Steve, we get the point. Nothing is sacred anymore, is it? [MPW]
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