Analyst: Trib Likely to Hang on to Cubs

The AP reports on the Tribune Co.'s languishing stock. The article includes comments on the Chicago Cubs:

What about the possibility of the media giant ending its 25-year ownership of the baseball Cubs, which by some estimates could fetch Tribune $500 million?

As with its opposition to a sale of the Times, analyst James Goss of Chicago-based Barrington Research Associates said that transaction wouldn't be Tribune's preference.

"In some ways, selling the Cubs would be very appealing and would raise a lot of cash. Yet I think they still view the Cubs as important in their superstation strategy," since its broadcasts on cable superstation WGN are lucrative.

Previous and related posts:
Chicago Cubs for sale? (10/25/2005)
Trib Shareholder Suggests Sale of Cubs (3/14/2006)
FitzSimons Appears Cool to Sale of Cubs (3/30/2006)
FitzSimons: Cubs Still Not for
Sale
(5/30/2006)
Ernie Banks Wants to Buy the Cubs (6/10/2006)