Nov 07 2008
Cuban Should Own Cubs
News reports are claiming that Mark Cuban, current owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, will not be approved by Major League Baseball to buy the Chicago Cubs even if he offers the highest bid. Cuban has been a fan’s owner in the NBA, even though he has drawn the ire of Commissioner David Stern and has been paid more than $1 million during his tenure.
Cuban wants to win a championship. He spares no expense in his efforts. The Chicago Cubs, put on the market for more than a year by the Tribune Company, are entering their second century without a World Series championship. It’s clear the present ownership group either cannot or will not put together the right framework to win.
Major League Baseball wants someone who won’t rock the boat to join its exclusive club. Cuban certainly doesn’t fit that bill. If he does nothing else, he’ll rock the boat. However, baseball desperately needs to change course. Interest in the game is declining. Sure, the same 40,000 fans attend the games but television ratings are sinking. Cuban owning the Cubs would be one big step toward reversing that course.
