2009 Chicago Cubbies Season Outlook : The Ricketts Family

The Ricketts Family, headed up by Tom Ricketts, were selected as the winning bidder for the Chicago Cubs, Wrigley Field, and a 25% share in Comcast SportsNet Chicago in January. Tom Ricketts father, J. Joe Ricketts, founded Ameritrade, but Tom Ricketts is independently successful and did not simply piggy back off of his father (no Hank/Hal Steinbrenner for the Cubs!). Final negotiations for the sale are still ongoing, but the bid in total is estimated to be approximately $900 million.

That’s about enough talking about financial stuff: let’s talk about this family that’s going to become a prominent part of the life of Cubs fans everywhere. The good news is that this is a family of Cubs fans. They aren’t some holding company that’s looking to turn a profit. They obviously would not have gotten involved if the price wasn’t right, but they understand what it means to be a part of Kingdom Cub.

Tom Ricketts

Tom Ricketts grew up just like I did and likely many of you too: watching the Cubs on WGN. He was also a student at the University of Chicago and lived in an apartment above a bar across from Wrigley. Most importantly, he met his wife in the bleachers at a Cubs game. I don’t think I need any more proof that this guy means it when he says:

“My family and I are Cubs fans. We share the goal of Cubs fans everywhere to win a World Series and build the consistent championship tradition that the fans deserve.”

I know a lot of people were clamoring for Mark Cuban, but I have to say that I am content with the direction in which I believe the Ricketts family will take the Cubbies. I like the fact that a family is taking over the team, because Kingdom Cub is a family, so it’s appropriate.

This is a guy who has phenomenal business experience, and when it comes down to it, his buying of the Cubs is an investment. He knows what it takes to make the Cubs as profitable as possible, but he also recognizes what it’s like from a fan’s perspective, and I don’t think he will ever forget that.

The Ricketts Family is not set to take over the club until mid-May, when the sale is antipated to have been completed, and will maintain a relativaly low profile until that point. However, no significant moves will be made without consulting the Ricketts, and it looks like the deal will be done by the time the trade deadline nears and the determination needs to be made whether the Cubs will make a run at any available players.