palehose1

When it was season ticket renewal time in the fall last year the communication was "we are not going through another rebuild". I was one of the suckers who renewed.

I would love to see them capture some of the look of Old Comiskey like the window arches

Alas, my past experience in business certainly aligns with that generalization....

Where there's smoke there is fire. Boyer is a controversial person within the White Sox organization, he has a reputation for arrogance. Hawk, the ultimate White Sox homer, called him out in his interview with AJP saying that Boyer was ruining the organization and feeding JR his perspectives. Benetti was certainly pushing for more schedule flexibility and more $ but the out of touch White Sox management don't understand how popular Jason was to the fans. He's not for everybody, but his PBP skills and knowledge are among the best out there. It should not have gotten to this point, it certainly re-enforces the image is that the Sox are not a desirable organization to work for whether its a player, coach, announcer, etc.

The prior year was a double digit increase around 10% so in a way 3% was lower than I expected. But at this point the price increase is irrelevant. Maybe they could have bought some credibility / goodwill if they said they were freezing all ticket, concession and parking costs for 2024 but that would never happen with JR

Sox issued 2024 Season Ticket Plan Invoices, both of our plans showed a 3% increase so it looks like Sox did a across the board flat increase of 3% I have been a full season Ticket holder since 1991. We are cancelling one of the plans- we can't justify paying big $ for this product. If we want to go to a game tickets are usually 50% of face in the secondary market EVEN WITH FEES. STH Renewals will be very low based on my sample sample size discussions with other STHs, most are canceling their plans. The way the Getz / Pedro thing was handled as an ultimate FU

Agree to disagree. May not be that exact title but clearer lines of authority will need to be drawn. Owner gets input provides budget, Top baseball guy sets the direction and works with GM to execute. Sox had some unhealthy overlaps and an owner who meddled too much. That's the biggest question, will Jerry truly step away and not pull a TLR or pit KW vs RH etc. I have two contacts affiliated or were formerly affiliated with the team that have good relations with JR and have supported variations of this and that JR has "hit the wall" with the recent deaths of his wife and son and the weight of the last two failed seasons is really weighing on him. Not specific transaction details but similar themes. I hear that a new investment group would transfer his financial ownership to his son helping avoid capital gains taxes which is the biggest impediment to a sale. Ideally Michael R would be a financial owner on the Board but not managing director like JR is.

I may be naive but I truly believe Getz Haber and Grifol are lame ducks. The President of Baseball Ops has to make those decisions, that was the dysfunctional arrangement before with no clear lines of authority, clubhouse snitches, blind loyalties, etc. Those factors are what breeds a bad culture. JR is stubborn but he is not stupid. I hear he is tired of this and wants to remove himself. And I don't believe that Dayton Moore is or will be the answer. You talk to White Sox insiders and these are some of the outcomes that lead to the disappointing seasons and JR is very aware, conforms what Lips sources have said. Again, I'm probably too much of an optimist but I dont think its White Sox business as usual. These were significant long overdue changes and I think there are more "surprises" to come. A new Prez of baseball operations will bring his own GM in. It won't be Getz.

The timing of the teams new stadium announcement, and the changing of the management may be related. I heard a group led by Melody Hobson who already owns 30% of nonvoting Sox stock, CEO of Ariel Investments, Chairwoman of Starbucks and George Lucas wife is part of the potential new ownership group (she is already part of the current nonvoting ownership). Reinsdorf's son would own 25% and that would shelter part of the capital gains tax. Another new investor may be part of the group too. In the end, it's all up to the fact they must hire the right person for President of Baseball Operations and give them full authority over all baseball decisions. Getz, Grifol, Haber are all lame ducks until the new Baseball President is hired. And I believe Jerry will be out of the picture. I truly think Jerry is done and wants to walk away. Ownership consortiums like these are a rarity today, usually they are billionaires looking for a "hobby" investment. But it has to be better than the current structure both at the Board level as well as the Kenny / Rick arrangement. Call me an optimist but I hear and foresee more changes coming in the next several months

I think they went perfectly

I'm hearing something similar from my contacts with different players. The timing of the teams new stadium announcement, and the changing of the management may be related. I heard a group led by Melody Hobson who already owns 30% of nonvoting Sox stock, CEO of Ariel Investments, Chairwoman of Starbucks and George Lucas wife is part of the potential new ownership group. Reinsdorf's son would own 25% and that would shelter part of the capital gains tax. In the end, its all up to the fact they must hire the right person for President of Baseball Operation and give them full authority over all baseball decisions.

These are facts (OK maybe with a shade of opinion): 1. JR is physically and emotionally done with owning the Sox after the loss of two family members in recent years as well as the implosion of the last 2 White Sox seasons. 2. JR’s capital gains tax situation is the primary impediment to a sale. 3. The Sox will never leave the Chicago market. As JR has admitted publicly in recent years (e.g., Cigar Aficionado interview article) regarding the proposed move to Tampa in the late 1980’s was solely leverage and a negotiating ploy. 4. Even that idiot Manfred would not allow a Chicago White Sox move – half of the Chicago area is worth a multiple of markets like Nashville, Portland, and Charlotte. 5. This story was leaked to attract potential suiters / interest (more opinion). 6. Soldier Field is a logistical and facility nightmare- it could never be used for 81 baseball games. 7. White Sox fans are still a strong fan base, but they won’t fully support the team until there is an ownership change (pure fact). 8. In the current political / economic climate, (and Illinois being one of the three worst financially stable states) it will be near impossible to get public funding for a new stadium. Most practical / logical approach is additional investment in the GRF area with Corporate sponsorship support led by new ownership.

well said

Chicago is a world class city and a great sports town that can easily support two major league baseball teams. And I believe two teams can thrive within the city limits. It's not a GRF problem. GRF is easily accessible by public transportation, has ample parking for tailgating etc. It's a "family friendly" facility. There are more than enough Sox fans that would and have supported the team. Sox fans are fed up and demand competent leadership and ownership. I was at Italian Fest on Taylor street Saturday evening. You can argue its south side but its only about one mile south of Madison Ave. I started noticing many fest goers with Sox hats and jerseys on- it was easily 5 to one over Cubs apparel and the Cubs had a day game earlier in the day. There is a loyal fan base out there that someone with a bit of business sense could truly succeed in the third biggest market in the US. Half of Chicago is worth a multiple of Nashvilles, Charlottes, etc. We just need competent ownership that wants to win and compete the way the game is operated now - international scouting, analytics, etc., and, most importantly, treat your fans as your most valued resource. But none of that will change under the current ownership.

SelltheTeamJR @SelltheTeamJR · Aug 7 There will be a Reverse Boycott night at Guaranteed Rate Field on Thursday, August 24th against the Oakland Athletics! Lets treat this like a Blackout Night and show the FO that the fans are fed up! We want change at the TOP.