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Reinsdorf: ‘A savvy negotiator creates leverage’

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Illinois

* I don’t think I’m the only one getting sick and tired of wealthy sports team owners leveraging my love.

Let’s start with some ancient history. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel…

If you can’t get a team, rent one.

That was the idea in 1968, when Milwaukee, still smarting from the loss of the Braves to Atlanta in 1966, lured the Chicago White Sox to play at County Stadium for 10 games. […]

But at the turnstiles, the White Sox were a big winner in Milwaukee. The team drew 265,552 fans in their nine games at County Stadium, vs. 538,323 for 59 dates at Comiskey.

“I see no reason why we can’t play here next season,” White Sox owner Allyn told The Journal’s Cleon Walfoort in an Aug. 27 story after the final game at County Stadium, a 3-0 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Aug. 26. There were 42,808 fans at the game, in part because the Tigers’ roster included Eddie Mathews, the former Braves slugger in his final season in the majors.

* From a 1995 interview of White Sox/Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf…

But Reinsdorf’s sentimentality extends only so far. Business is still business. So in 1983, claiming the old Comiskey Park was “disintegrating,” and “if we didn’t get a new ballpark we’d go broke,” Reinsdorf again played hardball. Threatening to move the Sox to St. Petersburg, Florida, if Illinois legislators didn’t fund a new stadium, he now explained, “a savvy negotiator creates leverage. People had to think we were going to leave Chicago.” Those machinations angered St. Petersburg city administrator Rick Dodge. Realizing Reinsdorf was simultaneously negotiating with him and Illinois officials, he told his attorneys, “He was playing us off against each other. I’m not going to sit here and get chewed up like this.” […]

Known as a negotiator who “lets things linger until he gets what he wants,” Reinsdorf did have one friend during the three-year imbroglio, Illinois Governor Jim Thompson. By June 1988, when it seemed certain that St. Pete would lure the Sox to its new Suncoast Dome, Big Jim twisted arms on the floor of the Illinois Senate, and the deal was done. Illinois funded a new stadium. As John Helyar writes, “Reinsdorf got the gold mine, and [St. Petersburg] got the shaft.”

Illinois taxpayers also got the short end of the deal. While Reinsdorf innocently insists, “I didn’t get into baseball to make money. Baseball is my religion. I’m happy to break even,” the Comiskey deal gave him free rent for up to 1.2 million in attendance each year. The Sox pay the state $2.50 for every ticket from 1.2 to 2 million, yet the team also gets back $5 million a year for stadium repairs and maintenance. In addition, the state buys 300,000 tickets if attendance drops below 1.5 after the year 2001, so in actuality, Reinsdorf got public funds to build his stadium and subsidies to guarantee its profitability.

* 2013…

Jerry Reinsdorf confirmed Tuesday a published report that he has recommended to his sons a family succession plan that includes selling its interest in the Chicago White Sox, but he emphasized the decision won’t be up to him.

Reinsdorf is the controlling partner of the White Sox and Chicago Bulls. His sons include Michael, who is the Bulls’ president and COO, as well as David and Jonathan.

“I recommended it to the boys, but it’s up to them when the time comes,” Reinsdorf said.

* Crain’s yesterday…

Knowledgeable sources say Jerry Reinsdorf, the team’s majority owner and chairman, is considering moving the organization from Guaranteed Rate Field in Bridgeport when the team’s lease expires just six years from now.

No decision has been made or appears imminent. But among the possibilities are moving to a new stadium in the city or suburbs, or even relocating to Nashville, a subject of recurring gossip on and off for years.

There also is some chatter among team insiders that, at age 87, Reinsdorf may seek to sell the Sox, while keeping ownership of the Chicago Bulls. Reinsdorf’s longtime business partner at the United Center, Chicago Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz, recently died.

The prospect of a Sox move is serious enough that at least one Chicago developer who asked not to be named is preparing a bid. And the situation has caught the attention of City Hall, where Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration “is planning to hold a conversation with the team about its future,” according to senior adviser Jason Lee.

* The Athletic…

Hours after a story broke about the organization grasping for leverage for a new stadium, the actual team immediately fell behind by five runs in the top of the first inning en route to a 14-2 loss to the Seattle Mariners. […]

A fun, expensive and unlikely solution would be for the Sox and Soldier Field to simply trade spaces. Tear down the old football stadium, put a 35,000-seat stadium in its stead and then transform the Sox’s old ballpark into a Lambeau Field-like stadium in Bridgeport.

The stadium isn’t the reason the Sox have been so regularly disappointing, of course, but that doesn’t matter when it comes to pro sports teams’ never-satiated gluttony. The team has trouble drawing fans for a variety of reasons, but the fact the team has only made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons once in franchise history (it just happened in 2020 and 2021) certainly has a lot to do with it. The Sox rarely have a desirable product to sell, and you can’t hold “Elvis Night” 81 times a year.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 12:34 pm

Comments

Dear Jerry:

Door hit, Lord split.

Comment by Roadrager Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 12:40 pm
How about no more public dollars for billionaires running entertainment businesses? They need Chicago markets more than Chicago needs them.

Comment by Homebody Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 12:43 pm
G’bye Sox!

If you want a new stadium…pay for it yourselves.

This is about Tax Fairness, just like the Bears want.

Comment by Jerry Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 12:44 pm
Reinsdorf cried for public money once before and got it from the ILGA. I’m not seeing that remotely happening again. Such a rich crybaby.

Comment by TJ Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 12:44 pm
If the Sox leave Chicago, will anyone even notice?

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 12:46 pm
My prediction is that they stay in Chicagoland proper. Giving up even a share of Chicago for an unproven Nashville market doesn’t make sense to me. It feels like Reinsdorf and the White Sox are seeing all of these suburbs making pitches for the Bears and they see themselves as an enticing consolation prize. They’ll probably have quite a few options with plenty of money being thrown around. As a Chicago resident, I’m anxious to see what position Brandon Johnson and the city take.

Comment by Sox Fan Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 12:46 pm
It is the same story for every sports franchise…put a good product on the field and people will pay to watch. Whether the stadium on the SS, west side, north side, or in the suburbs…what puts butts in seats is good teams.

Comment by Wobblies United Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 12:48 pm
Not factored in these reports are the prior reports that some Jerry-related companies have been buying up land on the West Side near the United Center.

Comment by The PAMan Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 12:52 pm
Starting here, for me:

===Keep in mind;

The Reinsdorf family not only owns the Bulls but half of the UC. No talk of selling, but the baseball franchise, without a building they own, makes sense to sell with inflated worry inflating a price.===

The man is an example of building a facility with private money… in Chicago. He’s not fooling anyone, anymore.

Further?

Owning another franchise in town when he may move or leverage the Sox, yeah, that’ll go well with the Bulls, fans, the city…

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 12:53 pm
No action should be taken on this until they make good on the promise to rebuild McCuddy’s…

(OK I realize that was Thompson, not Reinsdorf, but hey it was kind of a RICO thing)

Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 12:54 pm
An MLB-worst 13-29 from June 30 to date. One World Series appearance in more than four decades of the current group’s ownership. This year was supposed to be when their contention “window” was most open.

And, somehow, the team value has increased from less than $20 million at last purchase to more than $2 billion today.

I’ve been to a lot of Sox games, even that last night, and wouldn’t want to see them move. But, as has been said: not one nickel.

Comment by Cromulent M. Biggens Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 12:56 pm
In the last four days the Sox have lost 14-2, 11-5 and 14-1. The Mariners threw 47 consecutive strikes fastballs to WS hitters without them scoring a run. It’s been a terrible season so I’m sure Jerry & Co. would like nothing better than the story to not be about their failures and instead to be “stop complaining about us and on-field product or we’ll take our ball and go home.”

Comment by Stratton Raccoon Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 12:57 pm
Have to agree with a top comment on the baseball subreddit, the Crain’s article is clickbait as the White Sox have a clause in the lease that if there’s not enough fan attendance the city of Chicago pays the difference. That ain’t happening, end of discussion.

Comment by BaseballEnjoyer Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 12:58 pm
Has anyone told Jerry that Thompson isn’t the governor, Madigan isn’t the Speaker and Daley isn’t the mayor?

Watching him illegally smoke his cigar on the field it’s clear he doesn’t keep up with the times.

Comment by Moe Berg Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 1:03 pm
Thinking back to “Berto on the West Side’s” epic call on ESPN10000:

“My call is rooted in heartbreak, not anger. Don’t get me wrong, I’m angry, but it is a byproduct of a dysfunctional, abusive relationship with the front office and the ownership of the Chicago White Sox.”

Berto, you’re not alone, you just said it better than any of us ever could.

Call for reference: https://twitter.com/TalkinBaseball_/status/1651596433261309954

Comment by curtis Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 1:03 pm
White Sox will always be the second team in Chicago as long as Jerry owns the team.

Comment by Chicagonk Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 1:11 pm
=the Comiskey deal gave him free rent for up to 1.2 million in attendance each year. The Sox pay the state $2.50 for every ticket from 1.2 to 2 million, yet the team also gets back $5 million a year for stadium repairs and maintenance. In addition, the state buys 300,000 tickets if attendance drops below 1.5 after the year 2001, so in actuality, Reinsdorf got public funds to build his stadium and subsidies to guarantee its profitability.=

Things I never knew. That is a sweetheart deal that would make other owners blush.

Comment by Cool Papa Bell Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 1:20 pm
Good to see I’m not the only one still mad about McCuddy’s.

I wish Reinsdorf would sell the team. There are plenty of us Sox fans who have been loyal for years, many bad years to boot. Our loyalty has been rewarded with bad management, high ticket and beer prices.

Comment by Chicago Voter Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 1:26 pm
Another real “problem” that the ball park had?

Oriole Park at Camden Yards was the next ball park built.

In one year the ball park the Sox built looked, existed, and functioned in an obsolete way compared to the Orioles new facility.

That building has never been appreciated or “loved”, even with the sweetheart deal Eddie and Jerry got for themselves.

I can’t think of a time where folks talked of the facility as “great”, think how quickly “renovations, changes, and fixes” were needed.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 1:26 pm
- “a savvy negotiator -

There’s nothing savvy about it, it’s called being dishonest. It’s often rewarded in our society, but that doesn’t make you smart.

It does make politicians like Big Jim dumb for falling for it and giving away the store, but that’s another conversation.

Comment by Excitable Boy Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 1:29 pm
Taxpayers already were required to give the Sox one ballpark in what’s been a sweetheart deal. Cubs got some federal historic tax credits plus like half a street to bump out the bleachers, and that’s about it. Hotel taxes still going toward Soldier Field with the Bears looking to leave and mostly foot their own bill (with some property tax breaks).

No public appetite for another taxpayer bailout of a billionaire sports franchise.

Comment by George Ryan Reynolds Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 1:34 pm
- the Comiskey deal gave him free rent for up to 1.2 million in attendance each year.
That contract will be expiring in 6 years.
Reinsdorf is only trying to lock down a new contract.

Comment by Chicago 20 Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 1:39 pm
Nashville sounds like a bluff to me. Half (or even less) of the Chicago media market is still bigger than all of the Nashville market (about the size of Baltimore or Pittsburgh).

Regardless–no more public money for sports teams. If Jerry or the new owners want a new stadium, they’re more than welcome to pay for it themselves.

Comment by Benjamin Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 1:50 pm
81 Elvis nights would be more entertaining than the current team.

Comment by Phineas Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 1:59 pm
One thing I’ve said they should do since, oh, 1991 is build an entertainment complex across Shields at the old Comiskey Park site with the old ballpark dimensions (ie, infield, foul lines, scoreboard, etc.) serving as a centerpiece. Heck, they could even have a McCuddy’s replica there.

The Cell (called the park Comiskey until it became Guaranteed Rate) is a suburban mall surrounded by a parking lot, there is nothing unique about it.

Camden Yards, on the other hand, was built to blend into the city. Do something unique and the park will be beloved — even if it’s such a warehouse like in Baltimore.

Comment by Chisox fan Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 2:00 pm
Someone has to make the Ricketts family look good.

Comment by Formerly Unemployed Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 2:04 pm
I don’t understand why taxpayers should be on the hook for Reinsdorf . If he wants to leave Chicago, let him leave. Mayor Johnson has zero obligation to keeping him here. Chicago has much more pressing financial problems before rent-seeking businessmen make their demands. I could think of literally 100 better things Chicago taxpayers could do with tax dollars than give it to a sports team.

Comment by Steve Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 2:14 pm
Question for those who were involved in state government at the time: was the Sox bailout bill in 1988 the last occasion when the General Assembly “stopped the clock”? I distinctly remember seeing news footage of my state rep having a near-meltdown over the procedural shenanigans.

Comment by cover Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 2:14 pm
Everyone wants to move to Nashville, but it isn’t happening: MLB is committed to expansion and that’s going to be one of the two cities.

I actually like the “swap parks” idea. I don’t think the Sox would do well in the suburbs, but a near-downtown location while keeping the “south side” identity is intriguing. And 35th/Shields is a great location for the Bears: highway access, el, can run shuttles from South Shore Line or lots near current Soldier Field/McCormick Place.

Comment by lake county democrat Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 2:15 pm
Probably not going to do it, but we would all be better off if Reinsdorf would sell the team and go. We have one World Series and a few playoff appearances for all his years.
I am a lifelong fan but I just can’t put up with him on top of the poor on field performance.

Comment by James the Intolerant Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 2:24 pm
I am a lifelong sox fan and was born on the south side. That said…not one stinkin’ penny. I can find other ways to be disappointed.

Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 2:24 pm
Strongly disagree on the swap parks concept.

Getting fans to and out of Soldier Field for eight or nine home games a year is something people can tolerate. Doing that for 81 games a year? Looking at Oakland level attendance for some of those games.

Comment by Juice Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 2:26 pm
@Cover - I was on the floor of the House when time stood still while Jimbo rounded up that final passing vote. I always thought that state rep could have gotten a few more goodies for his district. But time ran out. Everybody knew it was past midnight but no one said anything out loud until the vote was completed and the gavel was struck.

Comment by Suburbanon Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 2:47 pm
=“swap parks”=

Seems nice. But the Bears would want nothing to do with the south side location.

Even if you take in the parking lots to the north of Shields the total area is about 2.3 million square feet (with a major city street running through it) and the Arlington property is 7.5 million square feet.

Comment by Cool Papa Bell Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 2:54 pm
CPB - Edit North of 35th (sorry)

Comment by Cool Papa Bell Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 3:06 pm
News Flash for Jerry:

Its not 1988, and JB Pritzker is not Jim Thompson. There is no political will for another stadium deal.

Comment by low level Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 3:13 pm
@Juice My suggestion would be to build something like the Twins have - a people mover light rail to get them over to the Roosevelt el station. Regardless, the parking/transportation situation at Wrigley is about as bad - the ‘el is more convenient but there’s even less parking, huge rush hour backups on the exits from Lake Shore Drive, etc.

Comment by lake county democrat Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 3:20 pm
Nashville is in line for an expansion team once the Rays situation is set. Beyond that, there really aren’t that many markets that need an MLB team. Charlotte, Portland, Montreal, etc. are okay, but most certainly don’t have Chicago’s tv market.

That being said, Guaranteed Rate is a perfectly functional ballpark built at the wrong time. It was the first baseball only stadium built since the early 70s and became dated as soon as Camden Yards opened.

If a new park is needed, sell the team to an individual or group who can affirm to keep the team in Chicago and build a new park in the South Loop.

Comment by Former State Worker Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 3:46 pm
I had no idea about this part of the deal: “Illinois taxpayers also got the short end of the deal. While Reinsdorf innocently insists, “I didn’t get into baseball to make money. Baseball is my religion. I’m happy to break even,” the Comiskey deal gave him free rent for up to 1.2 million in attendance each year. The Sox pay the state $2.50 for every ticket from 1.2 to 2 million, yet the team also gets back $5 million a year for stadium repairs and maintenance. In addition, the state buys 300,000 tickets if attendance drops below 1.5 after the year 2001, so in actuality, Reinsdorf got public funds to build his stadium and subsidies to guarantee its profitability.”

This make Bobby Bonilla Day look paltry by comparison. That honestly, after what the Silna brothers got from the NBA courtesy of the ABA merger and the perpetuity deal tied to NBA media money, is the best deal in the history of professional sports. He literally has NO incentive to put a quality team on the field. Because he’ll make money no matter what. I wonder how many beaks got wet when the clock stopped around midnight in Springfield when they had to vote to put the G-Spot stadium deal through. Just incredible how clout and greed cohabitate together.

Comment by Just a guy Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 4:16 pm
As a Cubs fan, I couldn’t care less whether Reinsdorf or someone else owns the team. But the threat to move to Nashville is so toothless that he should know better than to start there in negotiating. Its clearly common practice now that every team with threaten this when they want more public money, but not every team is going to move like the A’s. Hopefully the State and the City are smart enough to not take it seriously and feel held hostage by that.

Comment by CornAl DoGooder Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 4:27 pm
I think people have had it with wealthy business owners sucking up to the public trough (our taxes) for special breaks to make them even wealthier. Not one thin dime.

Comment by Manchester Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 4:56 pm
There are big rumors in Tampa that they Rays might look to build a new stadium closer to Tampa than St. Pete. Currently, St. Pete are looking at concept plans to redevelop the land that Tropicana Stadium sits on. Could it be that history repeats and the Sox threaten a move to St. Petersburg again? Could history repeat itself? The timeline seems to match up.

Comment by Stones Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 4:59 pm
I’m sure the McCaskey family is thrilled by Reinsdorf about now.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 4:59 pm
==I wonder how many beaks got wet when the clock stopped around midnight in Springfield when they had to vote to put the G-Spot stadium deal through. Just incredible how clout and greed cohabitate together.==

As commenter =Chicago Bars= pointed out last night, Big Jim and Jerry’s beaks dried out after a while, so they agreed to go in for a second dip.

(Linked tweet contains profanity.)

https://twitter.com/chicagobars/status/1693796430496891301?s=20

Comment by Roadrager Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 5:03 pm
===Currently, St. Pete are looking at concept plans to redevelop the land that Tropicana Stadium sits on. Could it be that history repeats and the Sox threaten a move to St. Petersburg again?===

So… Tampa-St.Pete will have two AL teams in that market?

This is as silly as thinking MLB and it’s commissioner will allow Reinsdorf to entertain moving to Nashville, because having a minority led ownership group based in Nashville and a nickname from the Negro Leagues needs to take a back seat to Jerry?

The expansion fee alone will likely be $200+ million just to join MLB, before they even exist… and MLB will throw all that away?

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 5:03 pm
=== Cubs got some federal historic tax credits plus like half a street to bump out the bleachers, and that’s about it. ===

Uhhh, i dont think so. Wrigley Field is now a beer garden with a ballpark in the middle. I dont believe anyone who tells me the Ricketts are not getting a piece of all of that action.

Reinsdorf wants what the Ricketts got. Turn those parking lots into beer gardens, eateries and hotels.

Comment by Thomas Paine Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 5:13 pm
==The expansion fee alone will likely be $200+ million just to join MLB==

OW, you’re a little bit behind the curve on the bonkers scale of North American sports economics. $200 million won’t get you in the door at Major League Soccer nowadays. The fee for Seattle to enter the National Hockey League a few years back was $650 million. Baseball’s getting ten figures easy for a new franchise.

Comment by Roadrager Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 6:24 pm