Ernie Banks Wants to Buy the Cubs

June 10, 2006 by cubsnet

Or, at least, not having the funds himself, be the frontman for a purchase. Crain's Chicago Business reported Friday:

Ernie Banks wants to buy the Chicago Cubs and said so during a half-hour meeting last month with Dennis FitzSimons, the embattled CEO of team owner Tribune Co.

Mr. FitzSimons gently rebuffed the most famous name in Cubs history, repeating the company line that the team isn’t for sale, Mr. Banks says. But that stance could soon change.
. . . .
[Banks] says two groups have approached him about participating in a bid: Giuliani Partners LLC, headed by former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, and Los Angeles-based buyout firm Comstock Capital Partners LLC.

Mr. Banks says discussions didn’t cover what, if any, financial backing he would provide or what stake he would have in the team.

(Link added.)

If the Tribune Co. ever did decide to sell the Cubs, there would be a lot of pressure from the media and fans to sell to a group nominally led by Banks. But it is the highest bidder who would likely ultimately be successful.

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