9 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

This is actually a very good point.  Beyond having to oversee a rebuild and solving their TV network issues, Jerry will also have to deal with a labor dispute that is going to negatively impact the bottom line.  Why endure these things at 89 years of age if they can be avoided?  Honestly, the only things preventing a sale right now are the franchise being at a low point and the tax consequences of a sale before Jerry’s death.  The former can be solved through a motivated buyer (it’s clear Ishbia prefers Chicago) and the ladder can be solved through deal structure.

I don’t see any case where Ishbia waits until Jerry’s dead to assume control…it will certainly happen sooner, the only question is how soon and what will be the triggering event.

Jerry has been a control freak for 45 years now when it comes to the White Sox and MLB.  I would be mildly surprised if he gives that up, but I guess we will see.  It does seem like he is putting his affairs in order though.

Logically speaking, there are two “outs” for Jerry here after Ishbia buys out the other shareholders:

1. Ishbia enters into a conditional purchase of the Reinsdorf family shares with bulk of transaction going into effect upon Jerry’s death (similar to Orioles deal), but with control transferring over to Ishbia at time of signing
2. Remaining owners are asked to provide a capital call, with Ishbia injecting significant cash into the org to support a new stadium in exchange for control of the team; the Reinsdorf’s hold onto their stake in the club and hope to cash out later at a higher valuation due to new stadium

No other scenario makes sense to me and I still think #1 is more likely than #2

7 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Logically speaking, there are two “outs” for Jerry here after Ishbia buys out the other shareholders:

1. Ishbia enters into a conditional purchase of the Reinsdorf family shares with bulk of transaction going into effect upon Jerry’s death (similar to Orioles deal), but with control transferring over to Ishbia at time of signing
2. Remaining owners are asked to provide a capital call, with Ishbia injecting significant cash into the org to support a new stadium in exchange for control of the team; the Reinsdorf’s hold onto their stake in the club and hope to cash out later at a higher valuation due to new stadium

No other scenario makes sense to me and I still think #1 is more likely than #2

Scenario #3: Ishbia just wants to do his boy JR a solid.

38 minutes ago, Harold's Leg Lift said:

I think Reinsdorf will relinquish control after the '26 season.  I would be surprised if he has another labor fight in him and this one coming up might be the nastiest one ever.  The '27 season is very likely not to happen.  

Many people seem to be saying this. I just think when push comes to shove, the owners won't have the stomach to give up the guaranteed money that comes with playing the 2027 season. Even with a prolonged stoppage, a salary cap is never happening so it's a pointless fight. 

On 2/22/2025 at 7:50 AM, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

Jerry doesn't have a majority stake as much as he has majority share. In a perfect world, he doesn't have to sell, Ishbia buys out majority of minority stake to become majority owner, Jerry sells the rest post death. 

I have not read all of this thread but this is what Chicago media needs to communicate properly.  Reinsdorf can retain his stakehold and receive guaranteed returns from Ishbia in an arrangement where Ishbia has control.  

Ishbia has interest in Chicago and can sway support at levels and with communities that Reinsdorf cannot.  Jerry has his hand out and wants to risk nothing.  Ishbia and build on what Jerry has failed whether in Bridgeport, Michael Reese or south Loop. 

He is a very rich, poor mans Steve Cohen.  He can be what Ricketts was supposed to be.

He can do to Chicago sports what no other owner is interested in, winning.

He has to be a hell of a salesman to get where he is and to unleash that in Chicago is desperately needed right now.

 

 

 

Here is a conspiracy theory.....this was in the works a couple years back hence the bottoming out of investment in the team.   It was not moving fast enough and JR's bluff was called with the Twins and now here we are.  

Poor Twins fans.

54 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

Me personally, I 100% believe this is Jerry's coronation of his successor, no matter what his mouthpieces say.

Agreed!  Jerry could seed managing partner responsibility without any tax consequence.  The rest of the sale could be completed after Jerry passes.  Ishiba isn't spending additional money to continue being a minority partner.

16 minutes ago, Y2Jimmy0 said:

Many people seem to be saying this. I just think when push comes to shove, the owners won't have the stomach to give up the guaranteed money that comes with playing the 2027 season. Even with a prolonged stoppage, a salary cap is never happening so it's a pointless fight. 

My conspiracy theory is they are gambling with not trying very hard to sort out the tv contracts until after a labor deal.

1 hour ago, Harold's Leg Lift said:

I think Reinsdorf will relinquish control after the '26 season.  I would be surprised if he has another labor fight in him and this one coming up might be the nastiest one ever.  The '27 season is very likely not to happen.  

Right when the Sox are supposed to be competitive again. Just like in 2020 with the pandemic. We really are cursed aren't we.

16 minutes ago, bmags said:

My conspiracy theory is they are gambling with not trying very hard to sort out the tv contracts until after a labor deal.

If Reinsdorf needs White Sox cash flow similar to the McCaskey's with the Bears a 2027 prolonged lockout hurts them and may what be what JR is lining up in hedging his bet and handing off the risk of lost revenue/equity in exchange for control.

Locally looking at the cubs and 2027 lost revenue that seems to be in their sites.  It's not the cubs operations that takes the ht it is the Lakeview investments from lost games.  A second time in 7 years of biblical losses.   

8 minutes ago, Ducksnort said:

Right when the Sox are supposed to be competitive again. Just like in 2020 with the pandemic. We really are cursed aren't we.

1994 says hello

35 minutes ago, Y2Jimmy0 said:

Many people seem to be saying this. I just think when push comes to shove, the owners won't have the stomach to give up the guaranteed money that comes with playing the 2027 season. Even with a prolonged stoppage, a salary cap is never happening so it's a pointless fight. 

The majority of owners will be more than happy to take a break from what they consider exorbitant spending.  Baseball is in a horroble place right now.  Teams are already planning for a work stoppage.  Sit back, relax and strap it down.  It's gonna be ugly.  

20 minutes ago, Harold's Leg Lift said:

The majority of owners will be more than happy to take a break from what they consider exorbitant spending.  Baseball is in a horroble place right now.  Teams are already planning for a work stoppage.  Sit back, relax and strap it down.  It's gonna be ugly.  

Couldn’t the owners already take a break and choose to stop spending on free agents, similar to Jerry and the Sox ~$75 million payroll?  They could all just use the rebuild excuse as well.

7 minutes ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

Couldn’t the owners already take a break and choose to stop spending on free agents, similar to Jerry and the Sox ~$75 million payroll?  They could all just use the rebuild excuse as well.

How does that ultimately correct the underlying issue that small market teams can’t compete with large market teams?  The only way to fix that is through a labor stoppage and one that puts the players out of work so long that they concede on the implementation of a hard cap (hopefully paired with a floor).

5 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

How does that ultimately correct the underlying issue that small market teams can’t compete with large market teams?  The only way to fix that is through a labor stoppage and one that puts the players out of work so long that they concede on the implementation of a hard cap (hopefully paired with a floor).

Also, I'm pretty sure the Dodgers have enough deferred payroll to outspend the Sox for the next 50 years.

2 hours ago, hogan873 said:

If Ishbia abandoned plans to buy the Twins to buy more into the Sox, there must be a larger plan in place.  Hopefully that means he will take over majority ownership in the future.  Whether that's when JR kicks off or not remains to be seen.  Maybe, just maybe, there's some light at the end of the tunnel for White Sox fans.

It needs to be sooner rather than later. J. Ishbia got a bit impatient and ditched the Twins once JR said " yo where you at bro, check this out. Look what I got for you homie".

Maybe JR got some bad news from his Doctor.

27 minutes ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

Couldn’t the owners already take a break and choose to stop spending on free agents, similar to Jerry and the Sox ~$75 million payroll?  They could all just use the rebuild excuse as well.

Collusion delusion

9 minutes ago, CaliSoxFanViaSWside said:

It needs to be sooner rather than later. J. Ishbia got a bit impatient and ditched the Twins once JR said " yo where you at bro, check this out. Look what I got for you homie".

Maybe JR got some bad news from his Doctor.

Or Jerry realizes the next tier of possible buyers weren’t going to be as wealthy and therefore as willing to make a big offer, especially given the current state of the franchise.  Jerry can hold off until he dies to settle things, but that outcome likely won’t be as good as one right now with Ishbia as long as he can do a deal structure that helps with the eventual tax implications.

14 minutes ago, CaliSoxFanViaSWside said:

It needs to be sooner rather than later. J. Ishbia got a bit impatient and ditched the Twins once JR said " yo where you at bro, check this out. Look what I got for you homie".

Maybe JR got some bad news from his Doctor.

The easy solution is JR keep his shares until he dies but relinquishes control. 

Dan Berstein basically said that the Ishbia money will severely decrease the ask from the state in regards to The 78 and there's movement on that front. Said there's no current deal or something for Ishbia to take over but it's obvious that Ishbia isn't dropping Twins just to help the Reinsdorfs build a stadium. 

31 minutes ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

Couldn’t the owners already take a break and choose to stop spending on free agents, similar to Jerry and the Sox ~$75 million payroll?  They could all just use the rebuild excuse as well.

Baseball has created a system in which a team or two can afford to spend above the cap while others choose to play small ball. The illusion that any team can win isn't there anymore. I have no idea where tomorrow's fans will be coming from.

6 minutes ago, Dick Allen said:

The easy solution is JR keep his shares until he dies but relinquishes control. 

Yep!

1 hour ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Logically speaking, there are two “outs” for Jerry here after Ishbia buys out the other shareholders:

1. Ishbia enters into a conditional purchase of the Reinsdorf family shares with bulk of transaction going into effect upon Jerry’s death (similar to Orioles deal), but with control transferring over to Ishbia at time of signing
2. Remaining owners are asked to provide a capital call, with Ishbia injecting significant cash into the org to support a new stadium in exchange for control of the team; the Reinsdorf’s hold onto their stake in the club and hope to cash out later at a higher valuation due to new stadium

No other scenario makes sense to me and I still think #1 is more likely than #2

It would be pretty cool is it was 2 though. That would be like everybody wins, JR, Ish ia and fans.

Would suck for Bridgeport but Sox have been in that neighborhood forever.

19 minutes ago, CaliSoxFanViaSWside said:

Collusion delusion

Yep, didn’t this supposedly happen a few offseason back when people said teams were colluding not to sign free agents, when a bunch of players went unsigned to the start of the season?

13 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Or Jerry realizes the next tier of possible buyers weren’t going to be as wealthy and therefore as willing to make a big offer, especially given the current state of the franchise.  Jerry can hold off until he dies to settle things, but that outcome likely won’t be as good as one right now with Ishbia as long as he can do a deal structure that helps with the eventual tax implications.

Exactly. That's what I've been sayin' my man. They streamlined the s%*#.