Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Many Chicago White Sox fans are over the moon with happiness on Thursday. Why? Because the team announced that long-time owner Jerry Reinsdorf has begun the process of finally selling the team.
According to a press release posted by the White Sox on social media, “Jerry Reinsdorf and Justin Ishbia have reached a long-term agreement that establishes a framework for Ishiba to obtain a future controlling interest in the White Sox after the 2034 season.”
Reinsdorf said about the agreement: “Having the incredible opportunity to own the Chicago White Sox and be part of Major League Baseball for nearly 50 years has been a life-changing experience. I have always expressed my intent to operate the White Sox as long as I am able and remain committed to returning this franchise to the level of on-field success we all expect and desire.”
That sound you hear is thousands and thousands of Chicago White Sox fans (one of which is myself) collectively rolling their eyes. Remember, this is a team that since 1919, the year of the Black Sox scandal, has made it to just two World Series. TWO. In 106 YEARS.
On a personal note, after multiple decades of rooting for the White Sox, I disavowed my fandom of the team last year when Jerry Reinsdorf took the cheap way out and hired Chris Getz, Chicago’s team’s director of player development and analytics, to be the new general manager of the team, ignoring better, actually qualified potential candidates like James Click, Kim Ng, Dayton Moore, David Stearns, Dayton Moore, Preston Mattingly, and Mike Rizzo.
The Chicago Sun-Times reported on Thursday that Justin Ishbia, a majority owner of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury with his brother Mat, has already increased his minority stake in the White Sox and Jerry Reinsdorf will have the option to sell full controlling interest to Ishbia at any point between 2029 and 2033.
Reactions to this news by White Sox fans on social media on Thursday were a mix of joy, relief, and impatience.
“Can we fast forward to 2035 already?” one fan asked, while another wrote, “Counting the days to opening day 2035!!! Hopefully we get there sooner.”
“Great, now I just need to build a time machine that gets me to 2035,” read another comment.
“So we’re stuck with Jerry’s bulls— for another 9-10 years,” someone else lamented, while another fan commented, “What a joke. Just leave Jerry!”
“Sweet, 10 more years of sucking and not spending a dime. I guess at least there is a light at the end of the tunnel,” wrote another beleaguered White Sox fan.
“Great, now do the Bulls too while you’re at it,” another suggested.