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CHICAGO – The $845 million sale of the Chicago Cubs, Wrigley Field and other assets from the Tribune Co. to the Ricketts family was completed Tuesday, more than 2 1/2 years after the baseball franchise was put on the market.
The family of billionaire Joe Ricketts, the founder of Omaha, Neb.-based TD Ameritrade, takes a 95 percent controlling interest in the baseball franchise, its storied ballpark and 25 percent of Comcast SportsNet, which broadcasts many Cubs games.
After taxes and fees, Chicago-based Tribune, which owns the Chicago Tribune, Los Angles Times, other newspapers and TV stations, expects to reap about $740 million from the deal. Family members Pete, Tom, Laura and Todd Ricketts will control the team as its board of directors, though Tribune retains a 5 percent stake and will have a seat on the board.
The deal tops the record $660 million paid for the Boston Red Sox and its related properties in 2002.
Joe Gibbs Racing will replace Kyle Busch’s crew chief after this weekend’s race at Talladega Superspeedway. Steve Addington is out after 12 victories in 68 races running Busch’s team. He’ll be replaced by Dave Rogers, a crew chief for JGR in the Nationwide Series.
Grady Fuson has been fired as Padres vice president of scouting and player development, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Fuson spent five years with San Diego, the major league affiliate of the TinCaps. Current Padres drafted during his time who have played in Fort Wayne included pitcher Mat Latos and outfielder Will Venable. He helped assemble this year’s TinCaps squad that won the Midwest League.
Brad Mills, Terry Francona’s bench coach in Boston for the past six seasons, is the new manager of the Houston Astros. … Outfielder Gabe Kapler re-signed with the Tampa Bay Rays on a one-year deal. … An Associated Press-Knowledge Networks poll shows that 64 percent of fans think New York will beat Philadelphia in the World Series and that Alex Rodriguez will be the Series MVP.
Los Angeles Clippers’ No. 1 draft pick Blake Griffin will be off the court for six weeks to rest his knee after suffering a stress fracture in his kneecap in a preseason game Friday.
Guard Delonte West, who has battled a mood disorder and other personal problems during a turbulent offseason, was inactive as Cleveland opened its season against Boston. … Boston forward Glen Davis had surgery to repair his broken right thumb after fighting with a childhood friend while riding in an SUV less than two days before the season opener. Davis is expected to miss at least six weeks, though the Celtics said he also could be suspended for his behavior.
Police have charged John William Lomax III of Connecticut with the murder of a University of Connecticut football player, but his defense attorney said he was trying to break up a fight. Two others were charged in the fight that led to the stabbing death of 20-year-old Jasper Howard, of Miami.
Iowa starting running back Adam Robinson is likely out for at least the rest of the regular season with an ankle injury. … Cincinnati is getting quarterback Zach Collaros ready to play at Syracuse on Saturday while Tony Pike tries to adjust to a cast on his non-throwing arm. … Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said he and his staff are being “totally cooperative” with an NCAA investigation of his program regarding their workouts exceeding NCAA time limits. … Minnesota star wide receiver Eric Decker will miss the rest of the regular season because of a sprain in the arch of one of his feet. … Oklahoma State All-American wide receiver Dez Bryant will remain suspended for the remainder of the football season, the NCAA ruled. The university announced on Oct. 7 Bryant was declared ineligible for lying to the NCAA about his relationship with former NFL star Deion Sanders.
Dallas forward Steve Ott has been suspended two games for a low hit on St. Louis defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo. … Colorado confirmed that backup goalie Peter Budaj has swine flu.
Andre Agassi’s upcoming autobiography contains an admission that he used crystal meth in 1997, the year he dropped to No. 141 in the rankings. In an excerpt posted on People magazine’s Web site, Agassi writes: “I can’t speak to addiction, but a lot of people would say that if you’re using anything as an escape, you have a problem.”
