77 Hitmen Posted November 19 Share Posted November 19 (edited) 26 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said: While I know the story is technically "new", there really isn't anything "new" in there besides Ish reaching out to The Pope. We have known forever that the Sox are working a new stadium, and that they were looking at places which aren't 35th and Shields. We have also have had multiple discussions emphasizing the current lack of decision making power for Ishbia in the sales agreement, and what the time period for the transition looked like. The fact that Isbhia is publicly deferring to Jerry isn't new. I am sure behind the scenes they are working on the bigger picture items, as there is no way that a guy making a 2 billion dollar investment in a MLB franchise is doing it without having some sort of a say so in a franchise altering decision such as where the team will play for the next generation or two. The one insight I take from this article is the definite effort to put Jerry out in front of what was going on now, which definitely jives with the conspiracy theory that Jerry is going to be the guy who goes out and throws punches to try to get deals done on a stadium and baseball labor, while Ishbia quietly sits back and waits for the clouds to clear and his time to walk in and take over is here. I feel like the bad cop/good cop thing is real and happening right in front of our faces. What is new is that this is the first time Ishbia has publicly commented on his intention to get a new stadium built and his commitment to keep the team in Chicago. I know we can say "well, duh! that's been so obvious for months", but as far as I know this is the first time he's said anything at all about the team and the stadium situation. The only other instance I'm aware of in which Ishbia said anything to the media was his generic press release after news broke about the eventual sale of the franchise to him. I find this story exciting because it's an affirmation from the future owner of the team of what we've expected for months to be in the works. And yeah, there's no doubt a lot of work going on behind the scenes. Not only do you not come in cold on a $2B franchise purchase, but even for a billionaire, I don't imagine it's as simple as writing a $1B check for a new stadium as if you were putting down payment on a new house. Edited November 19 by 77 Hitmen 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
77 Hitmen Posted November 19 Share Posted November 19 Paul Sullivan has an article on Ishbia's meeting with the Pope. Some more interesting quotes from Ishbia in his interview with the Trib. Of course, Sully has to be Sully and bring up the Cubs and Pete Crow Armstrong in this article. 🙄 https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/19/chicago-white-sox-justin-ishbia-pope-leo-xiv/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted November 19 Share Posted November 19 27 minutes ago, 77 Hitmen said: What is new is that this is the first time Ishbia has publicly commented on his intention to get a new stadium built and his commitment to keep the team in Chicago. I know we can say "well, duh! that's been so obvious for months", but as far as I know this is the first time he's said anything at all about the team and the stadium situation. The only other instance I'm aware of in which Ishbia said anything to the media was his generic press release after news broke about the eventual sale of the franchise to him. I find this story exciting because it's an affirmation from the future owner of the team of what we've expected for months to be in the works. And yeah, there's no doubt a lot of work going on behind the scenes. Not only do you not come in cold on a $2B franchise purchase, but even for a billionaire, I don't imagine it's as simple as writing a $1B check for a new stadium as if you were putting down payment on a new house. I guess I was operating under the assumption that staying in Chicago WAS going to happen. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lip Man 1 Posted November 19 Share Posted November 19 “I wish it was yesterday. I’d love to be the steward of a wonderful franchise. I’m the biggest baseball fan you’ll find. My goal is to win." --Justin Ishbia. In one conversation he has shown himself to be a complete opposite of Reinsdorf and exactly what this franchise desperately needs. Just hope I'm around to see it when it happens. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lip Man 1 Posted November 19 Share Posted November 19 33 minutes ago, 77 Hitmen said: Paul Sullivan has an article on Ishbia's meeting with the Pope. Some more interesting quotes from Ishbia in his interview with the Trib. Of course, Sully has to be Sully and bring up the Cubs and Pete Crow Armstrong in this article. 🙄 https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/19/chicago-white-sox-justin-ishbia-pope-leo-xiv/ I'd love to have Armstrong playing center for the Sox when he is still in his prime myself. Don't care where he came from. 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lip Man 1 Posted November 19 Share Posted November 19 27 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said: I guess I was operating under the assumption that staying in Chicago WAS going to happen. That was always my assumption but it is nice that someone with his position and financial where with all has publicly said it. And like I posted those three or four people who keep insisting the Sox are moving should give that ludicrous notion a rest now. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted November 19 Share Posted November 19 6 minutes ago, Lip Man 1 said: “I wish it was yesterday. I’d love to be the steward of a wonderful franchise. I’m the biggest baseball fan you’ll find. My goal is to win." --Justin Ishbia. In one conversation he has shown himself to be a complete opposite of Reinsdorf and exactly what this franchise desperately needs. Just hope I'm around to see it when it happens. We will see when he is the guy writing the checks. It is an easy thing to say now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaleAleSox Posted November 19 Share Posted November 19 JR is such an asshole for keeping the team and putting us through him doing absolute jackshit. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soxrwhite Posted November 19 Share Posted November 19 1 hour ago, southsider2k5 said: While I know the story is technically "new", there really isn't anything "new" in there besides Ish reaching out to The Pope. We have known forever that the Sox are working a new stadium, and that they were looking at places which aren't 35th and Shields. We have also have had multiple discussions emphasizing the current lack of decision making power for Ishbia in the sales agreement, and what the time period for the transition looked like. The fact that Isbhia is publicly deferring to Jerry isn't new. I am sure behind the scenes they are working on the bigger picture items, as there is no way that a guy making a 2 billion dollar investment in a MLB franchise is doing it without having some sort of a say so in a franchise altering decision such as where the team will play for the next generation or two. The one insight I take from this article is the definite effort to put Jerry out in front of what was going on now, which definitely jives with the conspiracy theory that Jerry is going to be the guy who goes out and throws punches to try to get deals done on a stadium and baseball labor, while Ishbia quietly sits back and waits for the clouds to clear and his time to walk in and take over is here. I feel like the bad cop/good cop thing is real and happening right in front of our faces. Do you ever smile? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joejoesox Posted November 19 Share Posted November 19 1 hour ago, 77 Hitmen said: What is new is that this is the first time Ishbia has publicly commented on his intention to get a new stadium built and his commitment to keep the team in Chicago. I know we can say "well, duh! that's been so obvious for months", but as far as I know this is the first time he's said anything at all about the team and the stadium situation. The only other instance I'm aware of in which Ishbia said anything to the media was his generic press release after news broke about the eventual sale of the franchise to him. I find this story exciting because it's an affirmation from the future owner of the team of what we've expected for months to be in the works. And yeah, there's no doubt a lot of work going on behind the scenes. Not only do you not come in cold on a $2B franchise purchase, but even for a billionaire, I don't imagine it's as simple as writing a $1B check for a new stadium as if you were putting down payment on a new house. I just skimmed through that article and he never says the team is staying in chicago once he takes over. Does this offer to the pope mean the Sox definitely plan to stay in the city? Some rumors had them leaving for Nashville, Tenn., if they couldn’t get a new stadium built. Ishbia replied that he was focused on his meeting with the pope and that “all decisions related to the team today are Jerry’s decision, and he has 100% decision-making power” on everything. “When I’m the steward, I will have an opportunity to determine where the team plays and a lot about what they do, but that is not my decision today, so you’ll have to ask him about that,” Ishbia said. “But I will say this: The lease (at Rate Field) is up in four years after 2029, and I’m 48. “So I can tell you one thing for sure — we will build a new stadium. I’m not sure when it will be. But in the next 50 years, when I’m the steward, there will be a new stadium built. I’m not sure if it will be four years or 40 years, but there will be a new stadium at some point.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sleepy Harold Posted November 19 Share Posted November 19 17 minutes ago, joejoesox said: I just skimmed through that article and he never says the team is staying in chicago once he takes over. It's stated in the Crain's & Athletic articles. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lip Man 1 Posted November 19 Share Posted November 19 21 minutes ago, joejoesox said: I just skimmed through that article and he never says the team is staying in chicago once he takes over. He stated that if he wanted to commute he'd have just bought the Twins, that Chicago is his home and he is keeping the team here. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaleAleSox Posted November 20 Share Posted November 20 39 minutes ago, joejoesox said: I just skimmed through that article and he never says the team is staying in chicago once he takes over. Is that from the Greenberg article? Of course he won't paint the Sox in a good light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
77 Hitmen Posted November 20 Share Posted November 20 48 minutes ago, joejoesox said: I just skimmed through that article and he never says the team is staying in chicago once he takes over. From the Sun-Times article: “My view is, this is a community asset. This belongs to the city of Chicago. It’s my job as steward, when it’s my turn, to do my very best to create wonderful, happy memories and moments for Chicago fans all over the city and all over the world.” 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lip Man 1 Posted November 20 Share Posted November 20 1 hour ago, southsider2k5 said: We will see when he is the guy writing the checks. It is an easy thing to say now. Time will tell. But given his net worth is four billion dollars I suspect writing checks won't bother him like JR, who basically tries to write as few checks as possible. We'll see. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fathom Posted November 20 Share Posted November 20 1 hour ago, southsider2k5 said: We will see when he is the guy writing the checks. It is an easy thing to say now. Isn’t he known as a wild spender in the NBA? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lip Man 1 Posted November 20 Share Posted November 20 3 minutes ago, fathom said: Isn’t he known as a wild spender in the NBA? Actually his brother is the majority owner of the Suns but he is involved. And yes, they made the moves to get guys like Beal and Durant to go along with Booker. It didn't work out but they at least tried 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
77 Hitmen Posted November 20 Share Posted November 20 3 hours ago, Sleepy Harold said: Ishbia was a busy guy with reporters today I don't know if it was posted already in this thread, but here's a link to Greenberg's Athletic article: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6820934/2025/11/19/pope-leo-justin-ishbia-white-sox-invite/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lip Man 1 Posted November 20 Share Posted November 20 (edited) Vatican security advised guests not to hand any gifts directly to the pope, but when Leo saw Ishbia had brought along a Sox jersey signed by members of the 2005 World Series-winning squad, “he looked at me and he goes, ‘No, no, no, hold on — that stays here with me,’” Ishbia recalled. “He was excited to have this jersey with, I’m guessing, some of his heroes, the Paul Konerkos and Ozzie Guillens of the world. It was really cool that he didn’t want to follow protocol. He wanted to have it near him,” said Ishbia, who lives in Chicago and is building a massive home in Winnetka. “I’ll do my very best to create more wonderful memories for Chicago White Sox fans,” he said. Those were encouraging words for fans patiently waiting for change. The new era at least has a timestamp. And it officially began Wednesday in Rome, which sources say was not built in a day. Edited November 20 by Lip Man 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ducksnort Posted November 20 Share Posted November 20 3 hours ago, southsider2k5 said: While I know the story is technically "new", there really isn't anything "new" in there besides Ish reaching out to The Pope. We have known forever that the Sox are working a new stadium, and that they were looking at places which aren't 35th and Shields. We have also have had multiple discussions emphasizing the current lack of decision making power for Ishbia in the sales agreement, and what the time period for the transition looked like. The fact that Isbhia is publicly deferring to Jerry isn't new. I am sure behind the scenes they are working on the bigger picture items, as there is no way that a guy making a 2 billion dollar investment in a MLB franchise is doing it without having some sort of a say so in a franchise altering decision such as where the team will play for the next generation or two. The one insight I take from this article is the definite effort to put Jerry out in front of what was going on now, which definitely jives with the conspiracy theory that Jerry is going to be the guy who goes out and throws punches to try to get deals done on a stadium and baseball labor, while Ishbia quietly sits back and waits for the clouds to clear and his time to walk in and take over is here. I feel like the bad cop/good cop thing is real and happening right in front of our faces. But why would Jerry want to go out like that? To get every last cent that he possibly can? Idk, just seems off to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lip Man 1 Posted November 20 Share Posted November 20 10 minutes ago, Ducksnort said: But why would Jerry want to go out like that? To get every last cent that he possibly can? Idk, just seems off to me. JR's entire ownership of this franchise has been based on his ego, his certainty that anything he does is right, his belief that players are overpaid and his disdain for the fan base. Yea he wants to get every, single solitary dime he can out of this until he is no longer above ground. He wants as much as possible for his family. He's like many billionaires in this regard. Greed above all. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tnetennba Posted November 20 Share Posted November 20 36 minutes ago, Ducksnort said: But why would Jerry want to go out like that? To get every last cent that he possibly can? Idk, just seems off to me. To try to stick it to labor one last time before riding off into the sunset? 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrittBurnsFan Posted November 20 Share Posted November 20 36 minutes ago, Tnetennba said: To try to stick it to labor one last time before riding off into the sunset? He would LOVE to be the guy who broke the player's union! I am guessing that would give him more satisfaction the winning the World Series did! I really believe that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted November 20 Share Posted November 20 1 hour ago, Ducksnort said: But why would Jerry want to go out like that? To get every last cent that he possibly can? Idk, just seems off to me. To maximize value of the franchise and still minimize the tax hit at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted November 20 Share Posted November 20 1 hour ago, fathom said: Isn’t he known as a wild spender in the NBA? I was under the impression that was his brother. I do expect there will be more spending for sure, I just don't know that we are looking at a Stearns situation either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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