12-06-2008, 12:19 AM
From the same article, as it applies to this thread.
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->As for the sale of the team, Kenney said the Cubs are going over the bids and owner Tribune Co. is expected to complete the sale by spring training, which begins in mid-February and ends on April 4. He indicated Tribune Co. will not keep half the team, as has been reported.
“While the economy is as challenging as it is, I think the value of the franchise really hasn’t changed long-term,” he said. “And I think the bidders are all well financed and understand that. They didn’t deviate much from where the value should be.”
Kenney said Tribune Co. Chairman Sam Zell has no firm deadline for getting the deal done.
“Sam doesn’t operate under any deadline for this,” he said. “It could take as long as he wants it to, but for all of our benefit, we hope by spring training we’re finished. And that will be good because there’s a lot of planning we want to do that has some long-term implications. Not just the player contract stuff. Having an owner at the seat of the table would help.”
Kenney was not sure if he would remain with the organization under the new owner, though he added “it would be exciting to be part” of the Cubs future.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->As for the sale of the team, Kenney said the Cubs are going over the bids and owner Tribune Co. is expected to complete the sale by spring training, which begins in mid-February and ends on April 4. He indicated Tribune Co. will not keep half the team, as has been reported.
“While the economy is as challenging as it is, I think the value of the franchise really hasn’t changed long-term,” he said. “And I think the bidders are all well financed and understand that. They didn’t deviate much from where the value should be.”
Kenney said Tribune Co. Chairman Sam Zell has no firm deadline for getting the deal done.
“Sam doesn’t operate under any deadline for this,” he said. “It could take as long as he wants it to, but for all of our benefit, we hope by spring training we’re finished. And that will be good because there’s a lot of planning we want to do that has some long-term implications. Not just the player contract stuff. Having an owner at the seat of the table would help.”
Kenney was not sure if he would remain with the organization under the new owner, though he added “it would be exciting to be part” of the Cubs future.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->